City Center Mankato is at the heart of a vibrant regional center.  An attractive and livable community, it boasts facilites and programs that provide opportunities for residents of all ages, economic levels and cultural backgrounds, to enjoy employment, education, health care, high quality arts and culture, recreation, sports and entertainment.

America's Promise named Mankato one of the Top 100 communities in the nation for young people in 2005, 2007 and 2008.

Bizjournalranked Greater Mankato number seven in the nation for quality of life on its 2008 list of 10 Dreamtowns, moving up the list from 16th in 2006. Learn More

AARP the Magazine placed Greater Mankato on its 2007 "Cities to Watch" list for being ahead of the curve in providing services for empty nesters, active retirees and everyone in between. 

Demographics Dailynamed Mankato and North Mankato Dreamtowns, because of their vitality supply of good jobs, freedom from stress, connection to cultural mainstream, support for schools, access to health care, low cost of living and small-town character.

Expansion Management's Education Quotient gave Mankato Area Public Schools a "Gold Medal" ranking for districts in the Top 17% nationally in 2006 and 2007.