City Awards and Recognition

Chandler often wins acclaim for its many programs, innovations and cost-saving techniques. Awards garnered by the City in include:

 

 

ValuePenguin.com 2018 Best Cities for Young Families to Buy a House (No. 7)
WalletHub.com

2019 Best Place to Find a Job (#10)
2019 Best Midsize City for First-Time Home Buyers (#7)
2019 Best Overall City for First-Time Home Buyers (#12)
2018 Best Place to Find a Job (#1)
2018 Best City to Buy a Family Home (#2)
2018 Best Place to Rent (#3)
2018 Best City for First-Time Home Buyers (#11)
2018 Best Places to Live If You Have a Disability (#11)
2018 Safest Cities in the U.S. (#12)
2018 Best Place to Raise a Family (#19)
2017 Best City in the Country for Jobs (7th Place)
2017 Best City fo Raise a Family in Arizona (4th Place) 
2016 Best Place for Veterans to Live (14th Place)
2016 Best Cities for Renters (3rd Place)
2016 Best City to Find a Job (20th Place)
2016 Best City for People with Disabilities (10th Place)
2016 Least Neediest City in the U.S. (10th Place)
2016 Best City for Most Active Lifestyles (44th Place)
2016 Hardest Working City (15th Place)
2016 Most Diverse City (42nd Place)
2016 Best Place for St. Patricks (13th Place)
2016 Best City for Valentines (9th Place)
2015 Best City to Find a Job (6th Place)
2015 Top Cities for New Home Buyers (10th among medium-size cities; 39th nationally)
2015 Best Arizona City for Millennial Job Seekers (1st Place)
2015 Hardest Working City in America (22nd Place)
2015 Best Cities for Disabled People (14th Place)
2015 Top 100 Greenest Cities
2015 Top 100 for Graduates to Start Careers (1st in Arizona; 34th nationally)
2015 Top 50 Healthiest U.S. Housing Market (2nd in Arizona; 22nd nationally)
2015 Best City of Veterans (15th Place)
2015 Best Cities for Halloween (9th Place)
2015 Best Cities for Wallet Wellness (4th Place)
2014 Best Cities for Wallet Wellness (13th Place)
2014 Best Cities for Pet Lovers (16th Place)
2014 Best Cities for Hispanic Entrepreneurs (10th Place)
2014 Best Cities for Disabled People (5th Place)
2014 Best Cities for Halloween (7th Place)
2014 Best Cities for Veterans (13th Place)
2014 Most Recession-Recovered Cities (91 out of 100)
2014 Top 50 Places to Retire in the United States (31st Place)
2014 Lowest Population in Need (15th Place)

Niche.com 2018 No. 2 Best Places to Live in Arizona
SmartAsset.com 2018 No. 13 Best Cities for Women in Tech
Expedia 2017 Top 50 Rated Vacation Stays in North America
Niche 2017 Best Place to Live in Metro Phoenix
TripAdvisor 2017 Hidden Gems for Girlfriend's Trips
GoodCall Data Center 2017 5th Safest City to Raise A Family
Arizona and Maricopa County Departments of Health Services 2017 Healthy Arizona Worksite - Gold Award
SmartAsset.com 2017 9th Best City to be a Homeowner
2017 Best Cities for Golfers to Live
2016 6th Best Place to Get Out of Debt
2016 6th Best City for Women in Technology
2016 6th Best Cities for Retirees
2016 7th Hardest Working City in America
Salt River Project 2016 Champions of Energy Efficiency Award
International Hispanic Network (IHN) 2016 IHN Civic Engagement Award
GoBankingRates.com 2016 Best City for Saving Money (5th Place)
The Money Source 2016 Top Cities for First Time Homebuyers (6th Place)
Law Street Media 2016 Safest City in America - Population of 200,000-plus (10th Place)
2015 Safest City in America - Population of 200,000-plus (10th Place)
2013 Safest City in America - Population of 200,000-plus (11th Place)
Livability.com 2016 Best City for Families (2nd Place)
2015 Best City for Families (6th Place)
Forbes.com 2014 Best Cities for Working Parents (3rd Place)
Cvent.com 2014 Top 50 Meeting Destinations in the United States
NerdWallet.com 2015 Best City in Arizona for Millennial Job Seekers
2014 Best Cities for Working Parents (3rd Place)
2013 Best AZ Towns for Young Families (5th Place)
Movoto Real Estate 2015 Best Phoenix Suburb for Millennials (2nd Place)
2014 Top 10 Safest Cities (6th Place)
2014 Happiest Place in the State (4th Place)
2013 America’s Most Saintly Cities (6th Place)
   
MyLife.com 2014 Top 5 Places to Raise a Family (4th Place)
Allstate 2014 Safest City for Drivers (31st Place)
International Right of Way Association - Kachina Chapter 2013 Employer of the Year
fDi Intelligence.com 2013-14 American Cities of the Future Awards:
Top Mid-sized Cities – Economic Potential - 6th Place
Top Mid-sized Cities – Human Resources - 3rd Place
BusinessInsider.com 2013 Safest City in America (based on FBI Violent Crime statistics) (9th Place)
The Daily Beast/U.S. News 2013 Most Thriving City in the United States (12th Place)
WallStreet 24/7 2013 Best Run Cities (12th Place)
2012 Best Run Cities (9th Place)
American Express Open Forum 2012 Best Places in the country for Tech Start-ups (4th Place)
Money Magazine 2012 Best Places to Live List (50th Place)
America’s Promise Alliance 2011 100 Best Cities for Young People (5-time winner)
Valley Forward Association 2011 Crescordia Award for City Hall
2011 Crescordia Award for Downtown Chandler Redevelopment Plan
National League of Cities 2010 All-America City
Money Magazine 2008 Top 100 Best Places of Live
AARP Magazine 2007 Top 5 Places to Live
Prevention Magazine 2007 Top 10 Best Fitness Walking Cities
Arizona Governor's Conference on Tourism 2004 - Cooperative Marketing, Sunny Arizona regional campaign
Arizona Parks & Recreation Association (APRA) 2015 Outstanding Public Official Award - Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
Chandler-Gilbert Community College 2015 Teal and Silver Community Leader Award - Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
Arizona School Public Relations Association (ASPRA) 2015 Award of Excellence for Government Official for Contributions to Education to Councilmember Rick Heumann
Chandler Chamber of Commerce 2014 Community Cup - Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
Maricopa Association of Governments 2014 Desert Peaks Award for Regional Excellence - Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
American City & County Magazine 2013 Municipal Leader of the Year - Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
East Valley Partnership 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award – Mayor Jay Tibshraeny
Government Finance Officers Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting - 35th consecutive
Office of the Governor Governor's Arts Award for the Chandler Center for the Arts; Received from the Arizona Commission on the Arts and the Arizona Citizens for the Arts
American Association of State and Local History 2009 Award of Merit, History in Your Own Backyard Program
The Telly Awards 2008 Bronze Telly, McCullough-Price House Exhibit Video
The Communicator Awards 2008 Communicator Award of Distinction, McCullough-Price House Exhibit Video
The Telly Awards 2008 Bronze Telly, “Roots of Ocotillo: The Story of Goodyear in Chandler” Video
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) 2007 NATOA 3rd Place, “Roots of Ocotillo: The Story of Goodyear in Chandler” Video
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2006 Outstanding Educational Program Award for History in Your Own Backyard Program
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors (NATOA) 2006 NATOA Honorable Mention, “Price House: A Snap Shot in Time” Video
The Communicator Awards 2005 Communicator Award of Distinction, “Price House: A Snap Shot in Time” Video
Chandler-Gilbert Community College for Community Organization Partner 2005 Teal and Silver Award, Jean Reynolds, Public History Coordinator,
Alma School-Ray Back to Business Event 2014 3CMA Savvy Award for Best One-Time Special Event
Chandler 2012 Centennial 2013 3CMA Savvy Award for Best One-Time Special Event
Deadline City Hall - Chandler Channel 3CMA Savvy Award
America West Magazine Communicator Award of Excellence for Writing
City Highlights Brochure Communicator Award of Excellence for Publications
Picnic on Price Communicator Award of Excellence for Special Event Planning
Public Service Announcements
- Chandler Channel
Communicator Award of Distinction; Videographer Award of Distinction
First Due - Chandler Channel Communicator Award of Distinction; Videographer Award of Distinction
CityScope - Chandler Channel 2007 Silver Telly Award for "Lessons in Loyalty"
Public Works at Work - Chandler Channel 2007 Bronze Telly Award
Public Works at Work - Chandler Channel Telly Finalist, Videographer Award of Distinction
State of the City - Chandler Channel Videographer Award of Distinction
State of the City - Chandler Channel 2005 3CMA Savvy Award
Public Works at Work - Chandler Channel 2005 Telly Award for editing of the Customer Service segment
CityScope - Chandler Channel 2005 Telly Award for segment about Household Hazardous Waste
At Your Library - Chandler Channel Communicator Award of Distinction
3CMA 2001 3CMA Savvy Award for Citizen Participation - Skate Park
National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials 2007 Annual City Cultural Diversity Award for populations between 100,001 and 400,000
Office of the Governor 2002 Governor's "Spirit of Success" Award
Team Chandler Health Insurance E-Magazine 2015 IABC Gold Quill Merit Award - in conjunction with Buck Consultants
STAR Communities 2014 3-Star Rating
Maricopa Association of Governments 2014 Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership (East Valley Recycling Alliance)
Valley Forward Association 2013 Environmental Excellence Awards: Award of Merit (Water Audit Program)
Maricopa Association of Governments 2010 Desert Peaks Award for Regional Partnership (Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant)
AZ Water Association 2010 Wastewater Project of the Year (Airport Water Reclamation Facility Expansion)
American Public Works Association 2010 Project of the Year for projects costing $25 - $75 million (Airport Water Reclamation Facility Expansion)
American Public Works Association 2010 Project of the Year for projects costing more than $75 million (Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant)
American City & County Magazine 2009 American Crown Community Award (Santan Vista Water Treatment Plant)
American City & County Magazine 2008 American Crown Community Award (Chandler Heights Community Facilities)
Arizona Consultant Engineers Association Achievement Award (Reverse Osmosis Plant)
Valley Forward Association Environmental Excellence Merit Award for Education for the 2004 Make A Splash Water Festival
Public Works Magazine 2006 Department of the Year Award - Honorable Mention
Association of Metropolitan Water Agencies 2005 Gold Award for Competitiveness Achievement
Arizona Water & Pollution Control Association 2005 Wastewater Treatment Facility of the Year Award for the Airport Water Reclamation Facility
Arizona Consulting Engineers Association 1999 Merit Award (Tumbleweed Park Recharge Facility)
Arizona Consulting Engineers Association 1999 Merit Award (Airport Water Reclamation Facility)
Neighborhoods USA 2012 Silver Award for the News for Neighbors Newsletter
Arbor Day Foundation 2016 Tree City USA Recognition - City of Chandler
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2016 Volunteer of the Year Award to Chandler Senior Center volunteers Berit (Bert) and LaVerne Johanson
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2016 Outstanding Adaptive Program Award
United States Tennis Association (USTA) 2015 Featured Facility Award - Chandler Tennis Center
Arizona State Forestry Division 2015 Tree City USA Recognition - City of Chandler
KaBOOM! 2007-2017 Playful City USA (1 of 12 cities to receive 11 consecutive years)
United States Tennis Association (USTA) Central Arizona 2012 Member Organization of the Year - Chandler Tennis Center
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors 2nd Place NATOA Government Programming Award for the "Come Out and Play Chandler!" cable television show - City of Chandler Recreation Division
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2010 Natural Resources Award - Paseo Vista Recreation Area
International City/County Management Association (ICMA) and the National Research Center, Inc. 2010 Voice of the People Award for Transformation - City Parks
Desert Rivers Audubon Society 2010 Certified Bird Habitat - Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park
National Wildlife Foundation 2010 Certified Wildlife Habitat - Environmental Education Center at Veterans Oasis Park
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2009 Outstanding Active Adult (50+) Program for the Chandler Senior Center's Patriot Project
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2009 Outstanding Community Special Event for Woofstock
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2009 Outstanding Facility for the Mesquite Groves Aquatic Center
Arizona Republic 2009 Reader's Choice Award - Runner up for Best Kids Water Park or Pools for the Hamilton Aquatic Center
Association of Marketing & Communication Professionals 2009 MarCom Awards Gold Winner for the City of Chandler Recreation Division's Break Time magazine
Association of Marketing & Communication Professionals 2009 MarCom Awards - Honorable Mention for the Tumbleweed Recreation Center Web Video Tour
American Association of State and Local History 2009 Award of Merit for the "History in Your Own Backyard" program
Phoenix New Times 2009 Best Playground in the Valley for Playtopia
Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc., in cooperation with the Arizona State Land Department - Urban & Community Forestry 2009 Top award in the Municipal Government Agencies Category for the Chandler Parks Division - Veterans Oasis Park
American Public Works Association 2009 APWA Public Works Project of the Year in the Structures Category (Costs $5 Million, but less than $25 million  for the Chandler Heights Community Center and Police Precinct
Office of the Governor 2008 Governor's Heritage Preservation Honor for the McCullough-Price House
Southwest Contractor Magazine 2008 Masonry Design Award - "Arizona Best of 2008" for the Tumbleweed Recreation Center
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2008 Outstanding Adaptive Program for the "You Look Marvelous" Fashion Show, presented by the cities of Chandler and Mesa
American City & County Magazine 2008 American Crown Community Award for Outstanding Leadership in Local Government for Interdepartmental Collaboration - Chandler Heights Community Facilities
Phoenix New Times 2008 Best Skateboard Park (Chandler Skate Park at Snedigar Sportsplex)
Valley Forward 2008 - Environmental Excellence First Place Crescordia Award for Park Site Development and Landscape - Chandler Heights Community Facilities
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2007 Outstanding Community Special Event - 50th Tumbleweed Tree Lighting Ceremony (Population 100,000 and over) and 17th Annual Parade of Lights
AARP magazine 2007 - "5 Best Places to Live" - City of Chandler
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2007 Outstanding Educational Program for the "Leaders in Training" (L.I.T.) program
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2006 Outstanding Educational Program Award for the "History in your Own Backyard" kiosk program
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2005 Natural Resources Award - "Dog Waste Stations & Plastic Bag Recycling Project"
City of Chandler - Planning and Development Department 2004 Architectural Merit Award - Chuparosa Park
Maricopa Association of Governments 2004 Regional Partnership Desert Peaks San Tan Mountains Regional Park Master Plan - City of Chandler Recreation Division 
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 2001 Outstanding Facility of the Year - Hamilton Aquatic Center
National Recreation and Park Association 2000 NRPA Dorothy Mullen National Arts and Humanities Award - Class II - Teen Drama Group
National Recreation and Park Association 2000 NRPA Excellence in Aquatics Award - Class II - City of Chandler Aquatics Division
National Recreation and Park Association 1998 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in the Field of Park and Recreation Management - Grand Award Winner - City of Chandler Recreation Division
Amateur Softball Association James Farrell ASA Award of Excellence for Conducting one of the Highest Rated ASA National Championships - City of Chandler Recreation Division - 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998
National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors 1998 Communicator & Videographer Award and the General Excellence Award - "Come Out & Play Chandler!" show
National Recreation and Park Association 1998 Special Recreation Award Finalist - Therapeutics Recreation
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1997 Partnership Award Youth Enrichment Program - City of Chandler Recreation Division
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1997 Natural Resources Award for Desert Breeze Park Hummingbird Habitat 
East Valley Special Olympics 1996 Coach of the Year Award for Therapeutics Special Olympics
East Valley Special Olympics 1996 Golden Torch Award for Therapeutics Special Olympics
Arizona Special Olympics and East Valley Special Olympics 1996 Outstanding Parks and Recreation Program for Therapeutics Special Olympics
APS AzTEC Arizona's Talent in Event Concepts Award - Chandler Ostrich Festival
New Times magazine 1996 Best Picnic Area in Phoenix Metropolitan Area - Desert Breeze Park
Awards of Excellence in Community Collaboration 1996 Awards for Excellent in Community Collaboration - Honorable Mention for the Recreation Division Youth Enhancement Program
East Valley Special Olympics 1995 Outstanding Parks and Recreation Program - Therapeutics Special Olympics
East Valley Special Olympics 1995 Volunteer of the Year Award - Therapeutics Special Olympics
Arizona Special Olympics 1995 Outstanding Parks and Recreation Program - Therapeutics Special Olympics
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1995 Media Award - Chandler Independent Newspaper
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1995 Innovation Award - "Come Out & Play Chandler!" show
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1995 Outstanding Parks & Recreation Program - East Valley Special Olympics - Therapeutic Recreation Program
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1995 Outstanding Parks & Recreation Program - Arizona Special Olympics - Therapeutic Recreation Program
Arizona Special Olympics and East Valley Special Olympics 1994 Outstanding Training Program - Therapeutics Special Olympics
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1994 Most Creative Civic/Municipal Group - Parade of Lights (Park Maintenance)
Annual Parks & Grounds Management 1994 Award of Merit - New Swimming Pool - Desert Oasis Aquatic Center
Arizona Parks and Recreation Association 1993 Outstanding Facility - Desert Oasis Aquatic Center
   
Police
WalletPop! 2010 Best Neighborhoods for the Money
Volunteers in Policing Services 2010 James R. Snedigar Public Service Award from the Chandler Chamber of Commerce
International Association of Chiefs of Police 2009 Top 20 Finalist - IACP/West Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation
American Public Works Association 2009 Top 20 Finalist - IACP/West Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation
International Association of Law Enforcement Planners 2009 Top 20 Finalist - IACP/West Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation
International Association of Law Enforcement Planners 2009 Top 20 Finalist - IACP/West Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation
   
Transportation & Development
Maintenance Superintendents Association (MSA) of Arizona 2015 "Best of the Best" overall award - Streets Division
Maintenance Superintendents Association (MSA) of Arizona 2013 "Best of the Best" overall award - Streets Division
League of American Bicyclists 2013, 2009, 2006 and 2004 Bicycle Friendly Community Award
Maintenance Superintendents Association (MSA) of Arizona 2011 "Best of the Best" overall award - Streets Division
American Public Works Association -
Arizona Chapter
2011 Project of the Year – South Arizona Avenue improvements
Maintenance Superintendents Association 2010 Arizona Chapter's Annual Roads and Streets Maintenance Rendezvous
- First Place: Concrete Crew, Asphalt Crew, Front End Loader and Backhoe
- Second Place: Forklift and Motor Grader
- Third Place: Master Equipment Operator and 10-Wheel Dump Truck
Roads & Bridges Magazine 2009 Asphalt Recycling Award
Intelligent Transportation Society of Arizona 2009 Past President's Award (Arterial ITS Expansion Plan)
Public Works Magazine 2006 Department of the Year - Honorable Mention
American Public Works Association 2006 Innovation Award for alternative contracting methods used to accelerate construction schedules while maintaining high quality projects at a reasonable cost
City of Chandler 2005 Architectural Merit Award for the Chandler Fashion Center Transit Station
Best Workplaces for Commuters 2004 Valley of the Sun Best Workplaces for Commuters
American Council of Engineering Companies of Arizona 2004 Honor Award (Integrated Master Plan)
Valley Metro's Annual Clean Air Campaign Awards 2005 and 2004 Bicycle Friendly Community Award
League of American Bicyclists 2000 Golden Spoke Award for a Public Company
Maintenance Superintendents Association 2004 Arizona Chapter's Annual Roads and Streets Maintenance Rendezvous
- First place in the street sweeping competition
- Second place in the 10-wheeler dump truck event
- Second place in the concrete and asphalt team events
Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council Sterling Agency Award for maintaining a fully certified procurement staff for 3 consecutive years. 2011-2014.
National Purchasing Institute Achievement of Excellence in Procurement Award for 2005-2016
Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council Excellence in Achievement award in 2006-2016 for a fully certified Purchasing staff
National Institute of Governmental Purchasing Reaccreditation - Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award for 2006 - three-year term; 2009 - three-year term; 2012 - three-year term
National Institute of Governmental Purchasing 2003 Accreditation - Outstanding Agency Accreditation Achievement Award - three-year term
Sunshine Review 2013 Sunny Award (4 consecutive years) (A+ Grade 3 consecutive years)
Sunshine Review 2012 Sunny Award (A+ Grade)
e.Republic Center for Digital Government 2012 Best of the Web Award
Sunshine Review 2011 Sunny Award (A+ Grade)
Sunshine Review 2010 Sunny Award for Web Transparency - Among the top 1% among 5,000 state and local Web sites
Center for Digital Government 2009 Top Ten Digital Cities - For populations of 250,000 or more
National Association of Government Webmasters 2007 Sponsor's Award - Top 1% Award - One of only 17 sites in the nation to receive an A+ rating for Web site usability
National Policy Research Council  2007 E-Government Rating: A+ for cities with populations between 50,001 and 250,000
Project Management Institute 2005 PMI's Eric Jennett Project Management Excellence Award
Center for Digital Government 2016 Top Ten Digital Cities - For populations between 125,000 and 250,000 (#9)
2004 Top Ten Digital Cities - For populations between 125,000 and 249,999
International Association of Web Masters 2002-03 Golden Web Award of Excellence for Human Resources Web site

This page is maintained by the City’s Communications & Public Affairs Department.
For more information on awards the City has won, please call 480-782-2222.

Mailing Address:
City of Chandler
Communications & Public Affairs
Mail Stop 604
P.O. Box 4008
Chandler, AZ 85244-4008