Camas makes ‘Best Town’ list

Family Circle magazine announced today that Camas has been named to its annual list of "10 Best Towns for Families." The magazine, which "celebrates the health and well-being of family," revealed in a press release the results of its eighth annual survey to identify towns that offer "stellar schools, affordable housing and a giving spirit." "Camas, known for its natural beauty and excellent schools, makes this year's 10 Best Towns for Families list and is featured in the August 2014 issue of Family Circle, on newsstands July 8," the press release states. The magazine article features comments from Camas residents Steve and Bonnie Carter, who have four children who attend Camas public schools. It highlights the area's attributes including hiking, the Columbia River Gorge and Camas Days. Also mentioned are the top-rated Camas School District, and the efforts of non-profit organizations including the Camas Educational Foundation and Camas-Washougal Community Chest. Camas Mayor Scott Higgins, who was born and raised in Camas, said in an interview this morning that he is very proud that the city has received the recognition. "It's a good day to be in Camas," he said. "To be in the top 10 list, and to be the only city on the West Coast to be recognized is truly an honor, and it's something we already know. We know this is a great place to be and a great place to raise a family. That's why many of us chose to live here. It's great to get this kind of recognition on a national scale." Other towns that made the list include Apex, N.C.; Boerne, Texas; Brecksville, Ohio; Elmhurst, Ill.; Franklin, Tenn.; Lake Mary, Fla.; Westborough, Mass.; Westfield, Ind.; and Woodbury, Minn. In researching small cities across the country, Family Circle used Onboard Informatics, a New York City research firm that provides real estate, demographic and other data. A list of 4,200 cities and towns with populations between 10,000 and 150,000 was initially assembled. From that, nearly 1,400 localities having a high concentration of households with median incomes between $55,000 and $100,000 were selected. The editors then assessed which places best met its family-friendly criteria -- including affordable homes, quality schools, access to health care, green space, low crime rate and financial stability -- and ranked them from top to bottom. Family Circle selected the 10 winners from among the highest-rated towns. Camas, with a population of 20,023, is listed as having a median income of $80,104, and a median home price of $300,000. Forty-eight percent of households include children, and the city received a "Great Schools" ranking of nine out of 10, a number that reflects how well students do on standardized tests compared to other students in the state. For more information on the 10 Best Towns for Families, visit http://www.familycircle.com/family-fun/travel/best-towns-for-families-2014.

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