Enid ranked No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report list; fourth among Oklahoma cities

Enid was recognized for its placement at No. 55 on U.S. News & World Report’s list of the 250 best places to live in the United States during an agenda recognition item at a recent municipal meeting.

The recognition matters, officials said, because it compares Enid with hundreds of other U.S. communities: "Enid was ranked 55, number 55," a Councilmember said, adding that Enid placed fourth out of eight Oklahoma cities on the list. The official said librarian Terry Ray told them the list draws from nearly 20,000 U.S. cities and towns and almost 500 in Oklahoma, which the speaker cited to underscore the ranking’s context.

The Councilmember urged the city to publicize the ranking. "That should be celebrated," the Councilmember said, and suggested communications staff use it as a headline. The Councilmember also said the ranking will be included in the city’s annual report next year.

The Mayor responded to the recognition remarks, saying, "It is impressive." Remarks noted that residents may not notice such rankings during everyday inconveniences — the Councilmember referenced road construction as an example — but urged celebration and wider publicity.

No formal motion or vote was recorded in the transcript for this item; the record shows the item was presented as an informational recognition rather than a decision requiring action.

Less critical details from the discussion: the speaker recommended a news headline for local outlets and flagged inclusion of the ranking in the city’s end-of-year annual report. No budget, ordinance, or formal directive to staff was recorded in the transcript.