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No. 6

No. 6

Richmond, Va.

Companies planning to hire in next quarter: 22%
Best job prospects: Construction, Durable Goods Manufacturing, Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Transportation & Utilities, Wholesale & Retail Trade, Information, Professional & Business Services, Education & Health Services, Leisure & Hospitality, Other Services
Population: 192,913
Average home price in January: $167,185
Unemployment rate: 7.8%

Richmond has a diverse economy, which includes chemical, food, and tobacco manufacturing, biotech, high-tech fibers, and semiconductors. For those who want to start over with a job in the arts, it has a symphony, ballet, art galleries, and theater companies.