Savage is consistently recognized as one of the best suburbs to live, work and play.

Continued Excellence

2018: AAA Bond Rating - Standard and Poor's

2014-2017: Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - Government Finance Officers Association

2009-2016: AA+ Bond Rating - Standard and Poor's

1997-2018: Achievement Excellence in Financial Reporting - Government Finance Officers Association

Recent Accolades

2024: SAVVY Award for Multiple-Image Use: 2024 Savage Firefighters & Puppies Calendar
-  City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Awards

2024: Silver Award in Short/Social Media Campaign: I'm a Savage Employee
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2024: First Place in Promotional Video: Savage Fire Pancake Breakfast
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) 

2024: Best of Show and First Place in Promotional Video: Savage Fire Station Vacation 
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) 

2024: First Place in Public Safety Video: Heroes Live Forever
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2023: First Place in One-time Special Video Campaign: Buddy the Fire-Elf
- City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Awards

2023: Second Place in Social Media Campaign: Savage Community Garden - a garden for everyone
- City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Awards

2023: Silver Award in Social Media Campaign: Savage Community Garden - a garden for everyone
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2023: Silver Award in Short Video: April Fools' Day
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2023: Bronze Award in Video Campaign: Firefighter Recruitment Campaign
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2023: Bronze Award in Short Video Campaign: Buddy the Fire-Elf
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2023: Merit Award in Social Media Engagement: Meet our Officers
- Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2022: First Place in Video Campaign: "We Believe You" Collaborative Video Series
- City-County Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Awards

2022: First Place in Video Campaign or Series: "We Believe You" Collaborative Video Series - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2022: Silver Award in Promotional Video: Parks and Recreation Adult League PSAs - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2022: Silver Award in Short Video/Social Media Campaign: Happy Holidays, Home Alone, Again! - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2022: Award of Merit: 2021 Annual Report - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC) 

2020: Fastest Growing Cities That Are Still Affordable for Homebuyers - LendEDU

2020: First Place: Savage Scoop the Poop Campaign - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2020: Silver Award in Short Video/Social Media Campaign: Savage Fire Department Holiday Light Video - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2020: Bronze Award in Community Interest Video: Joel McColl Retirement Video - Northern Lights Minnesota Association of Government Communicators (MAGC)

2020: Tree City USA, 27th consecutive year - Arbor Day Foundation 

2020: 23rd Safest City in Minnesota - BackgroundChecks.org

2019: 20th Safest City in Minnesota - BackgroundChecks.org

2019: 23rd Best Small City in America - WalletHub

2017: 60th Best Cities for Millennials - Millennial Personal Finance No. 60

2017: Merit Award - Northern Lights MAGC

2017: 26th Safest City in Minnesota - LendEDC No. 26

2016: 27th Best Small City in America - WalletHub

2016: 60th Best Small City for Families - NerdWallet

Past Accolades

2013: Best Cities in Minnesota for Young Families - NerdWallet

2013: Best Place to Live - Money Magazine

2011: Best Place to Live - Money Magazine

2010: Best Affordable Suburbs - BusinessWeek Magazine