Grand Rapids is proving—year after year—that smart leadership and community-minded governance can truly make a difference. In its latest accolade, the city has landed once again on WalletHub’s prestigious list of America’s 25 Best-Run Cities, climbing to No. 22 in 2025. That’s one spot higher than last year and six places above where it stood a decade ago—clear evidence that Grand Rapids is on a steady upward trajectory.
The annual study, conducted by personal finance firm WalletHub, evaluated 148 of the nation’s largest cities using a unique formula that measures how efficiently local governments turn public dollars into real-world results. Drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and CDC, the report examined 36 metrics across six key areas: financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, and infrastructure.
“Our ranking as a well-run city is a reflection of our people who serve, but also our coherence as a team,” said Mayor David LaGrand. “I know our city staff wakes up every morning aiming to make our city better, and community stronger.”…