Survey ranks Decatur among top small U.S. cities for AI-focused businesses

Although there are aspects of artificial intelligence (AI) that remain controversial—inaccuracies that come about when the system mines incorrect information, the large data centers required to operate AI, and other issues—experts say that AI will be part of the business landscape for the foreseeable future. 

AI already plays key roles in industries such as healthcare, finance, transportation, and customer service, and experts predict that it is likely to have an increasing role in business in the future. 

In the interest of deciding which places in the United States are likely to benefit from AI’s growing role in business, HostingAdvice.com conducted a survey in which it “ranked 385 small U.S. cities across six key dimensions to identify which cities are best positioned for AI business growth, and the results reveal a growing divide between communities prepared to support AI-driven businesses and those that lack the necessary resources to do the same,” according to the survey report.  

The survey ranked Decatur fifth from the top, citing “a well-rounded performance across nearly every category.” The survey report said of Decatur, “situated right outside of Atlanta, the city benefits from a strong labor market, favorable economic conditions, and proximity to nearby data centers. While Decatur certainly benefits from Atlanta’s growing tech ecosystem, nearby Emory University and Georgia Institute of Technology provide a constant pipeline of STEM graduates, strengthening its education workforce.” 

The report compared Decatur to fourth-place Royal Oak, Michigan, saying, “Decatur is also one of the closest cities to a data center. Combined, all of these factors make Decatur an attractive place for AI businesses seeking access to talent, infrastructure, and a strong regional economy.” 

The top three ranked cities were Verona, Wisconsin; Lexington, Massachusetts; and Ames, Iowa. The report noted that the fact that the top five represent states not particularly near one another indicates that “AI readiness isn’t linked to one region.”  

Using a weighted 100-point scoring system, HostingAdvice.com selected the best and worst small U.S. cities for AI business growth in 2026. 

Decatur received an overall score of 53.56, compared with top-ranking Verona’s score of 55.6. Lexington’s score was 55.47, and Ames scored 54.47. Another Georgia city, Smyrna, came in slightly lower than Decatur with a score of 53.42, putting it in sixth place.  

“Although the top five cities earned their rankings in different ways, each benefits from access to resources that can help AI-focused businesses grow. Some stood out for their skilled workforce and strong local economy, while others gained an advantage from nearby data centers, universities, or major technology hubs,” the report pointed out. 

The report cited as key factors that placed Decatur among the top five a labor force participation rate of 67.46 percent, a distance to the nearest data center of only 4.08 miles, and a population in which 76.32 percent of adults have a bachelor’s degree or higher. 

“Labor market strength was the top differentiator between the top- and bottom-ranked cities, showing the importance of a strong workforce in supporting AI business growth,” the report states.  

“As the AI race heats up, companies are racing to see who can benefit the most from technology the quickest. But one factor may have more to say in how well a business thrives through AI transformation than some would think. And that’s location,” the report states. 

“As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the American economy, [the survey] results show that geography continues to influence where innovation takes hold across the nation. Cities near major metropolises and universities performed particularly well, benefiting from access to strong talent pools, growing technology systems, and strong local economies, while maintaining a high quality of life and relative affordability,” it continues. 

“AI is transforming industries across the United States, but not every community is equally prepared to benefit from the technology due to economic makeup, infrastructure, workforce capabilities, and other factors,” the report states. 

For more information about the report, visit https://www.hostingadvice.com/studies/cities-for-ai-business-growth/.