Jacksonville is the most boring city in America.<\/p>\n
That is, according to a recent ranking from the site FinanceBuzz, which evaluated over a dozen data points from 75 of the country\u2019s biggest cities. Across five categories \u2014 population makeup, culinary scene, outdoor activities, nightlife and celebrations, and things to do \u2014 Jacksonville scored a mere 14.3 points out of 100.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur intent with our rankings wasn’t to poke fun, but to find a way to evaluate the excitement level of cities in a standardized way,\u201d Chris Lewis, the head of research at FinanceBuzz, wrote in an email to The Florida Times-Union.<\/p>\n
FinanceBuzz pulled data from the U.S. Census, Yelp, Yellow Pages, TripAdvisor and other sources. The ranking was not based on someone from the site visiting Jacksonville, or any of the other cities scored. While FinanceBuzz used objective means to determine its ranking, Lewis wrote that the site realizes that \u201cboring\u201d is a subjective and nuanced term.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are plenty of reasons to celebrate a city\u2019s culture that wouldn\u2019t be captured by a study like this,\u201d Lewis wrote. \u201cIt\u2019s clear Jacksonvillians care deeply about their city, and want the best for its future. We hope that a piece like this can be a springboard for more conversations between locals and community leaders about ways to make the city the best that it can be.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mark Woods: <\/strong>In defense of boredom and ‘most boring city’ in America. | Opinion<\/a><\/p>\n The article did inspire conversation, as it drew references from the JaxParks Instagram account, City Council President Kevin Carrico at his June 25 swearing-in ceremony<\/a> and beyond. When Linzee Ott read about the city\u2019s newest title, she was amused. Jacksonville? Boring?<\/p>\n \u201cI like to say that unless you\u2019re looking for ski sports or mountains, Jacksonville really has something for everyone,\u201d Ott \u2014 the CEO of Build Up Downtown, an advocate for private development in Jacksonville \u2014 said.<\/p>\n Ott said she understands the pessimism she hears about the downtown scene, the city having had \u201ca lot of fits and starts over the decades.\u201d But she said things have changed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have more investment and activity and momentum than we have had in probably 50 years in downtown Jacksonville right now,\u201d Ott said. \u201cThere is about $2.2 billion \u2014 with a \u2018B\u2019 \u2014 in investment and development.\u201d<\/p>\n Born and raised in Jacksonville, Ott used to think it was boring. However, after moving to Tallahassee and Washington D.C., she returned to Jacksonville. She noted widespread awareness of the various events and attractions the city has to offer, thanks to social media and community groups. Ott said that amenities are spread out across the city, and people just need to know where to go.<\/p>\n \u201cThe great things that Jacksonville has to offer are not going to come knock on your front door and drop themselves in your lap,\u201d she said. \u201cYou do have to engage with what\u2019s out there and look for it.\u201d<\/p>\n While the FinanceBuzz ranking identified the lack of a singular hub as a weakness \u2014 Jacksonville\u2019s large size but relatively low population density dispersing attractions \u2014 Michael Corrigan said that can actually be a positive. Corrigan, the CEO of marketing organization Visit Jacksonville, said there\u2019s more to explore in the city.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of visitors come [several] times to visit Jacksonville because there is so much to do and see, spread out more than other communities,\u201d Corrigan said. \u201cSo, you can come and have a totally different vacation in the exact same city.\u201d<\/p>\n