If you're wondering where you can go to find a little compassion in the world, apparently Provo, Utah, is the place to be.
Home to Brigham Young University and a substantial Mormon population, this city was voted the No. 1 most compassionate city out of 249 other cities across the U.S. The results were based on a study by realtor.com and were based on the following criteria:
- Percentage of income donated
- Volunteer rate
- Percentage of people working in social services, such as special ed teachers, therapists, nurses, etc.
- Percentage of people working for nonprofit organizations
- Public charities per capita
- Animal shelters per capita
According to the study, Provo had a 7.3 percent volunteer rate and a 6.4 percent income donated rate, both of which come as little surprise given that a 2012 Gallup poll noted that the Provo-Orem area is the most religious metro area in the U.S. and that Mormons account for roughly 88 percent of the population.
"As you might have guessed, religion is a driving factor," the study states, adding that tithing and the time residents spent helping victims of child abuse and feeding the needy were large contributors to the city's ranking.
Overall, the top five cities were:
1. Provo, Utah, with a volunteer rate of 7.3 percent and an income donation rate of 6.4 percent.
2. Ann Arbor, Michigan, with a volunteer rate of 12.7 percent and an income donation rate of 2.1 percent.
3. Richmond, Virginia, with a volunteer rate of 12 percent and an income donated rate of 2.6 percent.
4. Durham, North Carolina, with a volunteer rate of 12.6 percent and an income donated rate of 2.5 percent.
5. Charleston, South Carolina, with a volunteer rate of 14.3 percent and an income donated rate of 2.7 percent.
For the rest of the study, click here.
