By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

Several Shelby County communities are among the best places to live in Alabama, according to a list recently released by a national website.

The Niche.com website recently released its 2017 “Best Places to Live in Alabama” rankings, and nine local communities ranked in the top 20. While compiling the list, the website took into account several factors, including quality of schools, crime rates, housing trends, employment statistics and access to amenities.

Hoover ranked the highest of any city in Shelby County, coming it at No. 5 on the list. Hoover, which has a population of more than 83,000, earned an overall grade of A+ on the site, and earned an A or above in the public schools, housing, family friendliness and diversity categories.

One reviewer on the site described Hoover as a “Mid-size city with a small-town feel. Lots of shopping, outdoor activities and regular events available. People are friendly, energetic and passionate about their home!”

The Meadowbrook community, which is near the intersection of U.S. 280 and Alabama 119, came in at No. 7 on the list, earning an overall grade of A+. Meadowbrook earned an A or higher in the public schools, housing and family friendliness categories.

“Crime is not a major concern in this area. There are police that live throughout the neighborhood, and they can be seen riding through the neighborhood during the day,” one Niche.com reviewer wrote.

Following just behind Hoover and Meadowbrook was Indian Springs Village at No. 8. Indian Springs earned an overall grade of A+, and earned an A or above in the public schools, housing and family friendliness categories.

“There is not much nightlife, but the cost of living, safety, public school, family friendliness and diversity is all pretty good,” read a Niche.com review.

Helena came in at No. 10 on the list, earning an overall grade of A and grades of A or higher in the public schools, housing and family friendliness categories.

Alabaster, which is the largest city entirely in Shelby County, came in at No. 12 on the list, and earned an overall grade of A. Alabaster earned a grade of A or above in the public schools, housing, family friendliness and diversity categories.

Brook Highland, which is a community off U.S. 280, came in at No. 13 on the list, earning an overall grade of A and grades of A or higher in the public schools, family friendliness, nightlife and diversity categories.

Coming in at No. 14 was Pelham, which earned an overall grade of A and grades of A or higher in the public schools, housing and family friendliness categories.

Calera came in at No. 15 on the list, earning an overall grade of A and grades of A or higher in the public schools, housing, family friendliness and diversity categories.

Rounding out the list of Shelby County cities was Chelsea at No. 20. Chelsea earned an overall grade of A and grades of A or higher in the public schools, housing and family friendliness categories.

To view the full rankings, visit https://www.niche.com/places-to-live/rankings/places/best-places-to-live/s/alabama/.