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