Website Ranks Oxford Thrice among Best Towns in Mississippi

Photo courtesy Jim Hendrix

Niche.com is a website that services United States nationally by helping citizens see the best towns to live in. Recently it released its 2015 record this year and Oxford has been recognized three times among best towns in Mississippi.

Oxford has ranked in the following categories: public schools, job opportunities and outdoor activities for a well-rounded representation.

Oxford High School

The town ranks first out of 43 towns with best public schools in Mississippi. Last October Mississippi Department of Education graded Oxford school district an A in its 2014 Accountability Results. The school district also received the Beacon award from Mississippi School Boards Association for outstanding student achievement.

Oxford also ranks seventh out of 43 towns in job opportunities, perhaps in relation to many opportunities arising from completed construction around town. According to Niche.com Oxford has 4.8 to 5 percent unemployed compared to the national average of 6.3 percent. The website also reports a 9.9 percent increase in people of working ages between 25 and 64 moving to town.

Bunny sculpture in the Lamar Park (photo by Amelia Camurati)

Oxford’s ranking in outside activities come with little surprise since on either side of the town are Sardis Lake and the Holly National Forest, both within a short drive. Oxford is within 100 miles of 18 state parks, and its mostly pleasant weather received a B plus from the site. Oxford also received a B plus for its general well-being and access to care. Overall Oxford came in at No. 17 out of 38 listed towns within the category.

Niche.com collected data from federal, state and local government datasets and combined the information with proprietary Niche data and community reviews on K-12 schools in each area. The website explains its methodology here.

Callie Daniels is a staff reporter and writer at HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at callie.daniels@hottytoddy.com.