AARP Livability Index: How Johnston Rates

JOHNSTON, RI — Johnston scored 52 on the American Association of Retired Person's Livability Index. The index rates communities for seven key indicators — housing, neighborhoods, transportation, environment, health, engagement and opportunity. The higher the score the better. Johnston came away with high marks for every category, except for opportunity and the environment. With the central landfill inside Town limits, few would be surprised that clean air and water was a Johnston weakness. But, according to AARP, the Town scored higher than Newport in the clean air and water category. Here are the results.

For drinking water quality, Johnston ranks in the lower third of U.S. communities. Some 16.97 percent are exposed to violations, AARP said. The median for U.S. neighborhoods is 0.50 percent.

For Regional Air Quality, Johnston ranked in the middle third of the nation. Residents are exposed to unhealthy air for six days per year. By comparison, Barrington residents deal with 14.3 bad air quality days a year, according to AARP. But the Town was in the top third for air quality when pollution due to local industry was considered and also in the top third for air quality when pollution near roads is considered. Only 11.50 percent of residents are exposed to the latter.

Johnston's Overall Score was 52.

Here are the breakouts:

1. Housing (affordability and access): 66

2. Neighborhood (access to life, work, and play): 61

3. Transportation (safe and convenient options): 65

4. Environment (clean air and water): 37

5. Health (prevention, access and quality): 52

6. Engagement (civic and social involvement): 58

7. Opportunity (inclusion and possibilities): 28

In the last category, Johnson ranked in the bottom third of the nation for jobs, education and income equality. Smithfield and Woonsocket also scored 28. East Providence managed only 26. In Johnston, only 0.46 jobs are available per every worker, and the gap between rich and poor is wide. In the last category, multi-generational households, Johnston ranked in the middle third of U.S. communities. (The idea is that multi-generational households afford people the chance to learn from each other.) You can see the full report by clicking here.

Image via Shutterstock