Does the infinite supply of "best city" rankings make or break a city?

In the February issue of Governing, Zach Patton examines the benefits and the drawbacks of these rankings.

As an example, Charlottesville, Virginia says that a #1 ranking in Sperling's 2004 "Cities Ranked and Rated" led directly to growth in the population and a boost in thecity's creative class. (There is also a large state university there.)

But what those working in economic development see as a boon, others will see as a loss. A flood of new, incoming residents, sprawling growth and rising housing costs can destroy everything that made the city so great in the first place.

In the latest edition of Sperling's book, Charlottesville had fallen to #17 due to "escalating housing prices".