Wilmington, NC, ranked among the cleanest cities in the US

Wilmington landed on a list of the cleanest and dirtiest cities in America.

Fortunately for the Port City, it was placed in the clean category.

LawnStarter, a lawn care company that connects homeowners with licensed, insured lawn care professionals, has ranked the dirtiest cities in America and the top 10 cleanest cities in 2024. Wilmington placed fifth on the clean list.

More than 300 cities were ranked based on a total of 21 criteria, including air pollution, water quality, waste management and the level of dissatisfaction among residents.

The key insights into America’s dirtiest cities weren’t necessarily the result of litter. For example, the two dirtiest areas—San Bernardino, California, and Detroit—are primarily concerned with polluted air, high levels of greenhouse gas emissions, and records of drinking water violations.

More: Two companies operating out of the Port of Wilmington have been ordered to control their dust emissions

More: Why Biden decided to come to Wilmington to make a big environmental announcement

Topping the list of cleanest cities was Lynchburg, Virginia, followed by Duluth, Minnesota. Two California cities followed, Redwood and Pleasanton.

These cities were considered to have less harmful air pollution and near-roadway pollution, low excess fuel consumption, and higher resident satisfaction.

The list was released a day after the N.C. Division of Air Quality said two Wilmington businesses would have to implement new “volatile dust control measures” to limit impacts to neighboring properties.

After Wilmington at number 5, here is the rest of the top 10.

Bellevue, Washington
Roanoke, Va
Sioux City, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Fayetteville, Arkansas