How Does Houston Rank?

Magazines and websites love lists. Over the past five years Houston has made a nice trend upward. Over the years we've gone from America's fattest and most polluted city to Travel and Leisure saying we're one of the fittest cities and home to some of the "greenest companies."

Here are some more tidbits to share with your neighbors about our hometown over the BBQ this weekend.

From bad:

• In 2005 Mens Fitness names Houston the fattest city in America.
• Later that year with a 54% ozone average, the American Lung Association ranks us as the 5th most polluted city in America.
• In 2006 Bicycling writes that Houston, Atlanta and Boston are the worst cities for bicyclists.
  

To best:

• Houston has the nation's 2nd best export market according to the Department of Commerce. Houston also tops Kiplinger's "Best Cities to Live, Work and Play" list.
• American Planning Association names Montrose as one of the United State's greatest neighborhoods.
• Fortune calculates Houston has the 3rd most Fortune 500 companies. Meanwhile Charity Navigator says we are the 3rd most charitable city.