The city of Mobile is named from the Native American Mobilian tribe that once resided in the area, scoring points for its high safety.
City: Mobile
State: Alabama
Best Cities Overall Rank: 35
About Mobile: The city’s name originated from the Native American Mobilian tribe that once resided in the area before the French colonists arrived.
Mobile is a safe haven, scoring 90 for sex offenders and 71 for crime. High school graduation ranks 93, with an 87% rate in 2008.
County: Mobile
Population: 191,022
Official website for city visitors’ bureau/city: Visitor’s bureau website
Newspaper with the largest circulation: Press-Register
Mobile blogs: Press Register Community News, Alabama Baby & Child
Mobile‘s Facebook page: Follow Mobile on Facebook
Mobile‘s Twitter page: Follow Mobile on Twitter
Education rank: 96
High School graduation rate 2008: 87%
Blue Ribbon Schools, 2003-2009: 2
Blue Ribbon Schools per 100,000 people: 1.047
NEAYC-accredited preschools: 1
NAEYC schools per 100,000 people: 0.52
NAEP State proficiency reading, grade 8: 255
Pupil/Teacher Ratio: 15.9
Total Expenditures Per Student: $9,289
Health rank: 35
Quality children’s hospitals: 1
Hospitals per 100,000 people: 0.52
Quality Pediatricians: 0
Quality Pediatricians per 100,000: 0
Average number of Unhealthy Air Quality days between 2006-2008, by county: 0
Safety rank: 10
Violent Crimes, 2008: 1204
Violent Crime Rate per 100,000: 630.29
Sex Offenders: 130
Sex Offenders per 100,000: 68.05
Economy rank: 54
Travel time to work, 2006-2008, in minutes: 21.3
Percent of labor force unemployed, January 2010: 12.6
Best Performing Cities Job Index: 781.2
Median Home Sale Price: $117,100
5-Year Home Value Index: 2.17%
Percent of homes sold for a loss: 18.99%
Recreation Rank: 81
Parkland acreage, 2008 (includes pools and playgrounds): 1,177
Parkland per 100,000: 616.16