America's happiest city is named as midwestern metropolis that's also known for serious crime

Minneapolis has been named as the happiest city in the country, according to a new ranking. 

The Midwest city, in Minnesota, was the only one in the US to be ranked 'gold' among a list of 250 cities around the globe. 

Research firm the Institute for Quality of Life, who conducts the survey, ranks the cities on five categories, citizens, governance, economy, environment, and mobility.

The city was one of only 37 cities around the globe that the London-based firm deemed worthy of its gold status. 

The city, which is home to over 425,000 people, scored high in the citizens and economy categories, coming 18th overall, being one of four US cities in the top 100.

The Mid West city, in Minnesota , was the only one in the US to be ranked 'gold' among a list of 250 cities around the globe

The city, which is home to over 425,000 people, scored high in the citizens and economy categories, coming 18th overall, being one of four US cities in the top 100

Minneapolis got high marks for having plenty of outdoor space inside the city which includes 180 parks, 55 miles of biking and walking paths, 22 lakes and 12 gardens. 

It was also scored highly for its mobility due to the ease of access for buses and light rail, with the study noting it is a relatively affordable city. 

Elsewhere, it ranked low among the top cities in the environment category but among the highest in terms of the economy and happiness of citizens. 

Despite this, the city is known for its serious crime which erupted after the killing of George Floyd in May 2020. 

Violent crime had already been trending upwards in the first half of 2020 but really spiked following the killing of Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin. 

In 2020, there was 5,426 violent crimes recorded in the city, 83 of which had been homicides. 

This figure climbed to 97 homicides in 2021, which was the same as a record figure in 1995 that saw the city being branded 'Murderapolis' by national media. 

In 2022, the number of homicides started to fall slightly to 80 throughout the year before hitting 72 last year. 

So far this year, there have been 4,101 assault offenses committed in the city - which looks to be on track to beat last years 4,154 number of offenses. 

Two weeks ago, a police officer and two people were killed in a horrific mass shooting in the city 

Violent crime had already been trending upwards in the first half of 2020 but really spiked following the killing of Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, seen here 

Overall, crime has dropped in the city but still remains above levels following the spike that followed the death of Floyd.  

Last December,  Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said: 'The trend is going in the right direction. But it's no where near where it was prior to 2020.'

Chief O'Hara said that while seeing a drop was hopeful, it was hard work for his department due to staff shortages. 

He told reports last December that 40 percent of the department left from 2020 to 2023. 

In March of this year, Chief O'Hara told Harper's Magazine that his department is so short-staffed it may have to stop investigating property crimes. 

Two weeks ago, a police officer and two people were killed in a horrific mass shooting in the city. 

Police identified the deceased officer as Jamal Mitchell, 28. Another officer was hospitalized and several others were injured. 

While the city was the only one to earn gold status, several other U.S. cities were named in the silver and bronze lists, including another Midwest location.

Those included Boston, Baltimore, Washington, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Madison, Pittsburgh, Rochester and Portland.

Taking the spot overall was Aarhus in Denmark, followed by Zurich, Switzerland, and Berlin, Germany.