The same week Fall River was named an “All America City” by the National Civic League, The Spindle City was shot down as the “fifth worst city in America to live in.”

The same week Fall River was named an “All America City” by the National Civic League, The Spindle City was shot down as the “fifth worst city in America to live in.”

What gives?

The “Worst Cities” list, produced by 24/7 Wall St., USA Today’s “content partner offering financial news and commentary,” was based on “a range of variables, including crime rates, employment growth, access to restaurants and attractions, educational attainment, and housing affordability,” according to the feature published on usatoday.com.

Perhaps demonstrating just how ludicrous this list and its methodology are: Miami — a paradise city to most Americans — is ranked as the worst place to live. Miami, Detroit, Paterson, N.J. and Hawthorne, Calif. are the only cities worse than Fall River, they say.

C’mon! We think it’s time to stand up for our city.

Yes, we are a poor city. As 24/7 Wall St. points out, the city’s median income of $35,037 is about half the median Massachusetts income and $18,500 less than the median U.S. income. That puts 22 percent of us below the poverty line. The ranking also takes violent crime into account, with a rate 3.2 times higher than the national average. But we can think of a lot of places that aren’t even on the “50 worst” list — including at least a couple nearby — where we feel less safe.

We admit that the 13 percent of Fall Riverites with at least a bachelor’s degree is abysmal. We can and should do better — and we’re starting to get there.

Education is a key to changing our city’s fortunes. Our public schools are making an impressive turnaround. There are plenty of accessible educational opportunities in the area — particularly with Bristol Community College and University of Massachusetts Dartmouth bringing quality, affordable education in reach as a path out of poverty.

What we lack in money, we make up for in compassion and resilience. Fall River is a community that always bands together for our neighbors in need. We also have a strong safety net that helps get people on their feet. In fact, the efforts of Fall River’s social service agencies and volunteers were recently recognized with the “All America City” designation. The designation recognizes Fall River as a community “whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges and achieve uncommon results.” That ought to be a source of civic pride.

When it comes to attractions, we have plenty. Battleship Cove is one of the region’s premiere attractions — and it’s growing. There are arts, history and architecture being highlighted in free events every season by the AHA! organization. There is a rich cultural tapestry and the delicious food and a great restaurant scene that comes with it, including some of the country’s best Portuguese restaurants and summers full of festas.

We have some beautiful landscapes, the rivers and bay offering great recreational opportunities, and some of the country’s best beaches just minutes away. About half of our city’s land mass is protected as state forest, offering plenty of scenic beauty to those who look beyond the statistics and actually explore Fall River.

And there is new opportunity. Just look at the giant Amazon fulfillment center opening soon, offering hundreds of jobs to city residents.

No, “24/7 Wall Street,” Fall River is not one of the worst places to live in this country. Not by a long shot. We are a struggling city that has a lot to take pride in and we are a city that is moving forward.

So let’s not take this foolish ranking to heart, Fall River. Instead, let’s just continue to do everything we can as a community to prove them wrong.