Nation IN BRIEF : WASHINGTON : Survey Rates Cities for Raising Children

The nation’s largest and best-known cities provide the worst environment for raising children, according to the results of a survey by Zero Population Growth. The survey rated 207 cities on social, economic and environmental pressures that affect the well-being of children. Top-ranked cities include Madison and Green Bay, Wis.; Burlington, Vt.; Stamford, Conn.; Fargo, N.D.; Lincoln, Neb.; Overland Park, Kan.; Sioux Falls, S.D.; Livonia, Mich., and Virginia Beach, Va. Poorly rated cities include: St. Louis; Atlanta; Riverside, Los Angeles, Pomona, Inglewood, El Monte, Long Beach, San Bernardino, all in California, and Newark, N.J.