UPDATE: Check out our new 2023 Best Cities to Live in the U.S. list.
#11. Decatur
Only eight miles from Atlanta, Decatur entrepreneurs have all the same resources available to them as they would in the big city. Helpful organizations include Access to Capital, Avid Entrepreneurship, Emory Entrepreneurship & Venture Management, Entrepreneurship Center of the Urban League, and Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative Atlanta. Yes, it might be smaller than most of the cities on this list, but it’s still an amazing place to live. How great? We also named it one of the 100 Best Small Towns in America.
Business Growth (2011-2015): 16%
Employment Growth (2011-2015): 7%