Valparaiso, IN, United States

Capital City

With a population of just 34,151, Valparaiso is a small Midwestern town that offers little excitement beyond the occasional popcorn festival. The city's transportation links to Chicago are decent, but its racial makeup has historically been overwhelmingly white - a statistic that has only begun to change in recent years. And while the town boasts an impressive network of parks and trails, the harsh Midwestern climate means residents must contend with bitter winters and muggy summers. Overall, Valparaiso seems like a sleepy, bureaucratic outpost best suited for those seeking a quiet, uneventful lifestyle away from the big city.