Ranking the Best-Kept Secret Retirement Towns, State By State

Although it'd be nice for all of us to live in expensive, beautiful, beachside retirement towns, that isn't the case. And that's okay. There is so much natural beauty in the U.S. that you aren't limited to ocean views. Some retirees prefer living in plains with fields of tall grass or on a river between mountains.

Whatever you're preference, there are plenty of options (not including the more well-known cities like Miami, Naples, and Asheville). For your ease and curiosity, we've compiled a list of the best-kept secret retirement towns and cities in each state. Did your pick make the list?

Since everyone has a different opinion and idea of what their ideal retirement looks like, we listed a wide variety. Some of these places are tiny towns with a population below 1,000, while others have more than 20,000 people. To find information on these towns/cities, we used the U.S. census and local tourism websites. Click through the slideshow for hidden retirement gems in each state.

Alabama

Town: Pelham
Population: 24,500
Median Income: $91,904
Popular Spots: Oak Mountain State Park, the Alabama Wildlife Center, and the Ballantrae Golf Club
Median Age: 41.2

Alaska

Town: Homer
Population: 6,136
Median Income: $73,723
Popular Spots: Bishop's Beach, the Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, and the Homer Farmers Market
Median Age: 40

Arizona

Town: Paradise Valley
Population: 12,600
Median Income: $236,250
Popular Spots: The Cosanti Originals, Paradise Valley Country Club, the Desert Botanical Garden, and Camelback Mountain
Median Age: 55

Arkansas

Town: Harrison
Population: 13,200
Median Income: $40,568
Popular Spots: The Buffalo National River, Rust, Dust & Wanderlust, and the Arkansas Grand Canyon
Median Age: 41

California

Town: Grass Valley
Population: 14,085
Median Income: $48,850
Popular Spots: Empire Mine State Historic Park, The Center of the Arts, and the Nevada County Fairgrounds
Median Age: 49

Colorado

Town: Fruita
Population: 13,600
Median Income: $77,680
Popular Spots: The Dinosaur Journey Museum and the Fruita Community Center
Median Age: 40

Connecticut

Town: Glastonbury
Population: 35,136
Median Income: $133,450
Popular Spots: Cotton Hollow Preserve, Riverfront Park, and the Minnechaug Golf Course
Median Age: 44

Delaware

Town: Lewes
Population: 3,702
Median Income: $92,375
Popular Spots: The Zwaanendael Museum, Cape Henlopen State Park, the Lewes Historical Society Main Campus, and the Historic Lewes Farmers Market
Median Age: 67

Florida

Town: Estero
Population: 38,443
Median Income: $100,459
Popular Spots: Koreshan State Park, Miromar Outlets, Coconut Point, and the Estero Historical Society
Median Age: 65

Georgia

Town: Blue Ridge
Population: 1,600
Median Income: $45,938
Popular Spots: Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, Harvest on Main, and Bear Claw Vineyards & Winery, Inc.
Median Age: 42

Hawaii

Town: Hilo
Population: 48,200
Median Income: $78,713
Popular Spots: The Hilo Farmer's Market, the Liliʻuokalani Gardens, Carlsmith Beach Park, Rainbow Falls, and Richardson Ocean Park
Median Age: 42

Idaho

Town: Sandpoint
Population: 9,240
Median Income: $67,769
Popular Spots: Cedar Street Bridge Public Market and Bonner County Historical Society & Museum
Median Age: 41.5

Illinois

Town: East Moline
Population: 20,800
Median Income: $63,328
Popular Spots: Campbell's Island State Historic Site and the John Deere Pavilion
Median Age: 37

Indiana

Town: Tipton
Population: 5,260
Median Income: $64,709
Popular Spots: Tipton Park, Diana Theater, and the Tipton Municipal Golf Course
Median Age: 40

Iowa

Town: Fairfield
Population: 9,400
Median Income: $48,302
Popular Spots: Fairfield Arts & Convention Center, Jefferson County Park, and the Fairfield Iowa Farmers Market
Median Age: 40

Kansas

Town: Hesston
Population: 3,700
Median Income: $72,620
Popular Spots: King Memorial Park and Dyck Arboretum of the Plains
Median Age: 40.8

Kentucky

Town: Florence
Population: 32,300
Median Income: $68,508
Popular Spots: The Florence Mall, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming, and World of Golf
Median Age: 40

Louisiana

Town: Natchitoches
Population: 17,700
Median Income: $38,731
Popular Spots: Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery, Roque House and Gardens, and Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site
Median Age: 27

Maine

Town: Waterville
Population: 16,700
Median Income: $47,489
Popular Spots: Quarry Road Trails, Waterville Opera House, and Fort Halifax State Historic Site
Median Age: 36

Maryland

Town: White Marsh
Population: 10,500
Median Income: $123,302
Popular Spots: White Marsh Mall and Honeygo Run Regional Park and Community Center
Median Age: 40

Massachusetts

Town: Stockbridge
Population: 2,018
Median Income: $131,667
Popular Spots: Naumkeag, Norman Rockwell Museum, and the Berkshire Botanical Garden
Median Age: 64

Michigan

Town: Ann Arbor
Population: 121,000
Median Income: $81,089
Popular Spots: The University of Michigan Museum of Natural History and the Matthaei Botanical Gardens
Median Age: 27

Minnesota

Town: Ely
Population: 3,200
Median Income: $46,042
Popular Spots: The International Wolf Center, North American Bear Center, and the Dorothy Molter Museum
Median Age: 50

Mississippi

Town: Ocean Springs
Population: 18,600
Median Income: $78,929
Popular Spots: The Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Gulf Islands National Seashore, and Fort Maurepas City Park & Nature Preserve
Median Age: 42

Missouri

Town: Crystal City
Population: 4,700
Median Income: $64,650
Popular Spots: Crystal City Underground and Main Street
Median Age: 43

Montana

Town: Whitefish
Population: 8,400
Median Income: $71,110
Popular Spots: Whitefish Mountain Resort, Glacier National Park, Whitefish Lake Golf Club, and the town's serene downtown
Median Age: 43

Nebraska

Town: Beatrice
Population: 12,200
Median Income: $54,583
Popular Spots: Homestead National Historical Park and Beatrice Country Club
Median Age: 43

Nevada

Town: Gardnerville
Population: 5,800
Median Income: $67,878
Popular Spots: Lampe Park, Sharkey's Casino, and Carson Valley Golf Course
Median Age: 53

New Hampshire

Town: Lincoln
Population: 938
Median Income: $56,406
Popular Spots: Flume Gorge, Granite State Scenic Railway, Seven Birches Winery, and Loon Mountain Resort
Median Age: 53

New Jersey

Town: Cliffside Park
Population: 25,600
Median Income: $94,960
Popular Spots: The King of Queens House
Median Age: 41

New Mexico

Town: Corrales
Population: 8,560
Median Income: $114,207
Popular Spots: Corrales Growers Market, Casa San Ysidro, Old San Ysidro Church, and Pasando Tiempo Winery and Vineyards
Median Age: 55

New York

Town: Dunkirk
Population: 12,600
Median Income: $49,003
Popular Spots: Point Gratiot Park, Dunkirk City Pier, Dunkirk Lighthouse, and Chadwick Bay Marina
Median Age: 43

North Carolina

Town: Blowing Rock
Population: 848
Median Income: $120,865
Popular Spots: The Blowing Rock, Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, and Blowing Rock Art & History Museum
Median Age: 60

North Dakota

Town: Jamestown
Population: 15,800
Median Income: $54,809
Popular Spots: World's Largest Buffalo Monument and the Arts Center
Median Age: 39

Ohio

Town: Chagrin Falls
Population: 4,200
Median Income: $96,914
Popular Spots: Chagrin Falls Waterfall, Beartown Lakes Reservation, and Chagrin Valley Little Theatre
Median Age: 50

Oklahoma

Town: Sulphur
Population: 4,900
Median Income: $57,531
Popular Spots: Chickasaw Cultural Center and Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Median Age: 40

Oregon

Town: Ashland
Population: 21,300
Median Income: $71,782
Popular Spots: Lithia Park, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and Weisinger Family Winery
Median Age: 47.7

Pennsylvania

Town: Marietta
Population: 2,830
Median Income: $56,204
Popular Spots: Riverfront views and Hershey Gardens (nearby)
Median Age: 45

Rhode Island

Town: Bristol
Population: 50,600
Median Income: $110,926
Popular Spots: Colt State Park and Blithewold Manor, Gardens & Arboretum
Median Age: 44

South Carolina

Town: Cayce
Population: 13,700
Median Income: $58,095
Popular Spots: Timmerman Trail and Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve
Median Age: 37

South Dakota

Town: Spearfish
Population: 26,600
Median Income: $66,766
Popular Spots: D.C. Booth Historic National Fish Hatchery & Archives, Spearfish Parks & Recreation, and High Plains Western Heritage Center
Median Age: 37

Tennessee

Town: Dayton
Population: 7,100
Median Income: $56,692
Popular Spots: Rhea County Court House Historic landmark and Pocket Wilderness
Median Age: 39

Texas

Town: Boerne
Population: 19,500
Median Income: $86,838
Popular Spots: Cascade Caverns, Boerne City Lake Park, and Cibolo Center for Conservation
Median Age: 38

Utah

Town: Parowan
Population: 3,100
Median Income: $49,934
Popular Spots: Dinosaur Footprint Parowan Gap and Mount Messiaen
Median Age: 38

Vermont

Town: Rutland
Population: 15,700
Median Income: $55,000
Popular Spots: Paramount Theater, Pine Hill Park, and Green Mountain National Forest
Median Age: 48.5

Virginia

Town: Bedford
Population: 6,700
Median Income: $47,697
Popular Spots: Bedford Area Welcome Center, Falling Creek Park, and Bedford Museum & Genealogical Library
Median Age: 43

Washington

Town: Port Townsend
Population: 10,300
Median Income: $60,015
Popular Spots: Fort Worden Historical State Park, Port Townsend Marine Science Center, and Point Wilson Lighthouse
Median Age: 59

West Virginia

Town: Point Pleasant
Population: 4,101
Median Income: $40,837
Popular Spots: Mothman Museum, Tu-Endie-Wei State Park, and Point Pleasant Riverfront Park
Median Age: 47

Wisconsin

Town: Marinette
Population: 11,100
Median Income: $57,461
Popular Spots: Stephenson Island Park, Red Arrow Park, and Marinette City Park
Median Age: 40

Wyoming

Town: Buffalo
Population: 4,500
Median Income: $61,813
Popular Spots: Jim Gatchell Memorial Museum and the Buffalo Golf Club
Median Age: 49