The waterfront that derives its name from Lake Erie and the Eriez Native American Nation is also known as “Flagship City,” with one of the few remaining ships from the War of 1812, Oliver Hazard Perry’s Niagara, anchored just offshore. Insurance, tourism, health care, manufacturing and higher education are among its major sectors. Home to Erie Insurance Group (a Fortune 500 company) and sitting at #196 for Household Income (median $52,576), Erie ranked #15 in our overall Prosperity category. It’s a vibrant place, coming in at #30 for Programming: arts organizations from the Glass Growers Gallery to the Erie Philharmonic contributed to its #15 ranking in the Culture subcategory; tax-free clothing and shoes helped it reach #34 in Shopping. In the works: the transformation of the region into a secure cyber-services hub through the recently launched Erie Innovation District; there’s also the Erie County Convention Center Authority’s Bayfront Place Development Plan (with retail, residential, office space and views of Presque Isle Bay) at an estimated cost of up to $300 million.