Madison Rated 5th ‘Most Enlightened Town’

Madison has once again been named one of the best places to live in America.

This time it’s from Utne Reader, an alternative bimonthly magazine published in Minneapolis, that called Madison one of the “10 Most Enlightened Towns in America” in its May-June 1997 issue.

Citing its clean air, Progressive roots and politics, good public schools and the influence of the university, the magazine ranked Madison No. 5 on the list, calling it “the heartland’s progressive hotbed.”

Topping the list is Ithaca, N.Y., followed by Portland, Ore.; Durham, N.C.; Burlington, Vt.; Madison; Arcata, Calif.; Portland, Maine; Iowa City, Iowa; Providence, R.I.; and Chattanooga, Tenn.