All in the Community

Though we're in the midst of a loneliness epidemic, where we live may provide a sense of connection.

- By Alexa Mikhail

Many of the ties that connect us have been severed. Along with the pandemic's isolation measures came the rise of remote work and an uptick in moves out of major metros. More people have found themselves separated from strong support systems, and the physical and emotional distance is pushing some to the brink.

"The pandemic has had a number of invisible costs in our country, and the increase in loneliness, the increase in mental health strain, these are part of those costs," Dr. Vivek Murthy, the U.S. surgeon general, said at Fortune's Brainstorm Health conference in Marina del Rey, Calif., in April.

Even before the pandemic, loneliness was commonplace, with its effects felt across roughly half the U.S. population, especially among young people and caregivers. According to one study published in the journal PLOS Medicine, the health impact of loneliness is comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. It's a strong predictor of poor physical and mental health outcomes and early mortality.

The cities ranked in this year's edition of the Fortune 50 Best Places to Live for Families share a range of qualities that can act as antidotes to loneliness. In our analysis of nearly 1,900 cities across the country, the best places to live scored high on assets like health care, education, and resources for seniors-all of which can help fight isolation and build social ties.

We also factored in data like affordability, walkability, and a city's well-being index, which can correlate strongly with community connectedness. Fortune's analysis resulted in a ranking of cities where people can weave themselves into the fabric of the community by accessing a myriad of resources in the town and surrounding areas. Beyond being a factor in longevity, feeling socially connected builds resilience, reduces stress, and can give people purpose as they age.