Sources & Methodology

NarrowTheList combines publicly available data, identified third-party information and standardized comparison scores to help users evaluate U.S. cities and metropolitan areas.

Different categories require different sources and update schedules. Whenever practical, NarrowTheList favors government agencies, primary data providers and other established sources.

Primary Data Sources

U.S. Census Bureau

Census Bureau data may be used for population, demographics, household income, housing characteristics, homeownership and related community statistics. American Community Survey data is used where appropriate.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bureau of Labor Statistics data may be used for employment, unemployment, labor-force and industry information.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOAA and related federal climate datasets may be used for temperature, precipitation, snowfall and other historical climate information.

Federal Emergency Management Agency

FEMA data and related government sources may be used when evaluating natural hazards and regional risk factors.

State and Local Government Sources

State, county, municipal and regional agencies may provide information about parks, trails, transportation, recreation, property taxes, development and other location-specific factors.

Additional Sources

Some categories require information from additional public or private sources. These may include housing-market data, transportation information, healthcare resources, educational information, recreation resources and other specialized datasets.

When location-specific information is used to support Nearby Access or another detailed feature, NarrowTheList may identify the applicable source within the location profile.

Reported Data vs. NarrowTheList Scores

NarrowTheList distinguishes between reported statistics and comparative scores.

Reported data includes values such as population, median household income, unemployment rate, rainfall, snowfall and other measurable statistics obtained from identified sources.

NarrowTheList scores are standardized comparative ratings designed to make different locations easier to evaluate. These scores may combine multiple relevant factors and should not be interpreted as ratings issued by the underlying data provider or a government agency.

Understanding Scores

Most NarrowTheList comparative scores use a 1-to-10 scale. Higher scores generally indicate greater availability, stronger access, greater convenience or a more favorable result for the specific factor being measured.

A low score does not necessarily mean that something is unavailable.

For example, a low Horse Property score means suitable horse properties may be less common or more difficult to find. A low Mountain Access score means convenient access is relatively limited compared with higher-scoring areas. Individual properties and neighborhoods can differ substantially from the overall metro area.

Current Data and Data Periods

Government and private datasets are released on different schedules. As a result, the most recent available year or reporting period may vary between categories.

NarrowTheList identifies data periods where appropriate and updates location information as newer reliable data becomes available.

Current Conditions and Future Outlook

Current reported conditions are kept separate from forecasts and longer-term projections whenever possible.

Near-term outlooks may consider approximately the next 12 months, while longer-term growth analysis may consider 5-year and 10-year periods where credible projections are available.

Forecasts and projections are estimates, not guarantees. Economic conditions, migration, housing markets, major employers, public policy, natural events and other factors can change future outcomes.

Nearby Access

A city boundary does not always represent the lifestyle available to someone living in a metropolitan area.

NarrowTheList may consider significant destinations within reasonable driving distance when evaluating access to mountains, parks, trails, lakes, beaches, outdoor recreation and other regional amenities.

Drive times are approximate and can vary because of traffic, weather, road conditions, starting location and season.

Political and Personal Preferences

NarrowTheList does not treat a political viewpoint, religion or other personal preference as inherently better than another.

Political environment and similar personal criteria are considered in personalized comparisons only when a user chooses those criteria. Political descriptions are intended to characterize measurable voting patterns or political tendencies rather than endorse a political position.

Data Limitations

No citywide or metropolitan statistic can describe every neighborhood, property or individual experience.

Conditions can vary significantly within the same metropolitan area. Housing prices, schools, crime, political preferences, recreation access, views, property features and other factors may differ between individual cities, suburbs and neighborhoods.

NarrowTheList should be used as a research and comparison tool rather than as a substitute for independent research or professional advice.

Corrections and Updates

If you identify information that appears inaccurate, outdated or incomplete, please provide the location, data point and, when available, a supporting source.

Email: feedback@narrowthelist.com

Definitions for individual criteria and scoring terminology are available in the NarrowTheList Glossary.