Plano is named as the second happiest city in the U.S. by WalletHub, after falling from its lofty selection as the country’s #1 happiest city in 2019. But when the 2020 data was analyzed, Freemont, California, had replaced the North Texas city in the top spot. However, city officials aren’t concerned about slipping a space.
Senior Marketing Specialist Miller Ann Moya with the City said, “Plano, Texas is truly the land of plenty. Blending historic charm with modern luxury, the city brims with attractions and amenities that make its residents and visitors especially happy. From fabulous shopping and dining to an amazing parks and recreation system, top-notch city services, and a plethora of family-friendly activities and events, it’s no surprise Plano residents and visitors truly enjoy the city and all it has to offer.”
Plano emerges as the best place for renter amenities in Texas and seventh nationwide.
Plano Draws Corporate Industry
Photo: Visit Plano
Plano’s 2019 population was over 281,000. The prosperous city was named as the 3rd best place to live in America by Money Magazine a few years ago. The city is about 20 miles North of Dallas and is located primarily in Collin County. A small portion of the city extends into Denton County.
Plano has drawn such international corporations as Toyota. The international company moved their North American corporate offices and headquarters there from California several years ago. Toyota proved to be a very generous addition to the city, donating millions of dollars to the local school district and city government. The company has also contributed greatly to local employment opportunities.
Photo: Visit Plano
WalletHub’s data crunchers used such factors as depression rate, income growth, and average leisure time spent each day to determine the city’s overall happiness profile. It was interesting to note that out of the top 20 Happiest Cities, 10 of those places were in California. Laredo is the only other Texas city mentioned in the report, with the lowest number of suicides per 100,000 residents.
Affluent citizens have four major shopping malls to help them spend all that disposable income. The Shops at Legacy, Legacy West, The Shops at Willow Bend, and Collin Creek Mall all inside the city limits. Residents also have a number of outdoor parks and nature trails to enjoy during their leisure time. The colorful Plano Balloon Festival and other special events are held there annually.
