Elizabethton is one of the happiest towns along the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains according to a recent study and poll conducted by Blue Ridge Country magazine.
The publication began a study to measure the happiest towns in the region with 96 towns and cities. That group was narrowed down to 61 mountain cities and towns, which were then divided into three categories based on population size.
From there, the magazine turned the decision over to readers for voting in an on-line poll.
Blue Ridge Country published the results in their May/June issue and announced the winners on their website.
Elizabethton placed as the eighth happiest city in it’s category of towns with populations between 10,000 and 49,999.
Other local towns making the list in their respective categories were Jonesborough, Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport.
Below are the results as released by Blue Ridge Country magazine:
Population 50,000+
1. Asheville, NC
2. Roanoke, VA
3. Harrisonburg, VA
4. Greenville, SC
5. Johnson City, TN
6. Knoxville, TN
7. Chattanooga, TN
8. Kingsport, TN
Population 10,000-49,999
1. Boone, NC
2. Charlottesville, VA
3. Staunton, VA
4. Hendersonville, NC
5. Sevierville, TN
6. Blacksburg, VA
7. Winchester, VA
8. Elizabethton, TN
9. Beckley, WV
10. Martinsburg, WV
11. Bristol, TN
12. Gaffney, SC
13. Clemson, SC
14. Maryville, TN
15. Ashland, KY
16. Waynesboro, VA
17. Christiansburg, VA
18. Radford, VA
19. (TIE) Easley, SC;
Greeneville, TN
21. (TIE) Cleveland, TN; Oak Ridge, TN
Population less than 10,000
1. Lewisburg, WV
2. Blowing Rock, NC
3. Floyd, VA
4. Marlinton, WV
5. Gatlinburg, TN
6. Abingdon, VA
7. Jonesborough, TN
8. Brevard, NC
9. Lexington, VA
10. (TIE) Black Mountain, NC; Waynesville, NC
12. Blue Ridge, GA
13. Banner Elk, NC
14. Pigeon Forge, TN
15. Bryson City, NC
16. (TIE) Marion, VA;
Wytheville, VA
18. (TIE) Bridgewater, VA; Dahlonega, GA
20. Fayetteville, WV
21. Cherokee, NC
22. (TIE) Big Stone Gap, VA; Wilkesboro, NC
24. Jefferson, NC
25. Robbinsville, NC
26. Pulaski, VA
27. Hiawassee, GA
28. Paintsville, KY
29. Murphy, NC
30. Dillard, GA
31. Williamsburg, KY