#1Tyrone
Fayette County · 8,091 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
C+CostASafetyASchoolsAHealthA+JobsB−WalkB+Hazards
Tyrone, #1 on this list · George R. Sims House · Photo: Ramsey Eden · CC BY-SA 3.0Georgia rankings · 2026
Best small towns in Georgia
Tyrone ranks first of Georgia’s 145 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A+: jobs & income (A+) and schools (A) are its strongest grades; cost of living (C+) is its lowest. 14 of the 145 (10%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
#1A+
#2Palmetto
Fulton County · 5,298 peopleStrongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: health B−
A−CostA−SafetyA−SchoolsB−HealthA−JobsBWalkAHazards
#4Chickamauga
Walker County · 3,017 peopleStrongest: schools A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C
B+CostA−SafetyASchoolsB+HealthA−JobsCWalkC+Hazards
Where they are: One of the top 10 is in Fayette County.
All 145 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 258 Georgia towns.
145 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
1TyroneFayette County · 8,091 people77.0top 0.6%A+Strongest: jobs & income A+, schools A·lowest: cost of living C+
2PalmettoFulton County · 5,298 people75.1top 1.4%A+Strongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A−·lowest: health B−
4ChickamaugaWalker County · 3,017 people73.2top 2.8%A+Strongest: schools A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C
5SenoiaCoweta County · 6,276 people71.8top 4.2%A+Strongest: safety A+, jobs & income A+·lowest: walkability C−
8DawsonvilleDawson County · 4,888 people68.2top 9.8%AStrongest: schools A−, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living B
9Ball GroundCherokee County · 3,470 people68.0top 10.1%AStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: walkability C−
10BremenHaralson County · 7,751 people67.8top 10.6%AStrongest: schools A+, cost of living A−·lowest: safety C+
13TempleCarroll County · 6,564 people66.1top 14.4%AStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A−·lowest: walkability C−
15EuharleeBartow County · 4,202 people65.0top 16.7%A−Strongest: cost of living A, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C−
18WatkinsvilleOconee County · 4,131 people63.8top 19.6%A−Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
19SpringfieldEffingham County · 3,344 people63.4top 20.6%A−Strongest: schools A, safety B+·lowest: hazard risk C−
21TallapoosaHaralson County · 3,141 people62.7top 22.2%A−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: walkability C
24Chattahoochee HillsFulton County · 3,524 people62.2top 23.5%A−Strongest: hazard risk A, jobs & income A·lowest: cost of living C
25AdairsvilleBartow County · 5,101 people62.1top 23.8%A−Strongest: jobs & income A−, cost of living A−·lowest: safety C+
31GraysonGwinnett County · 5,569 people60.8top 27.4%B+Strongest: jobs & income A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living C−
34Fairfield Plantationunincorporated, Carroll County · 6,172 people59.8top 30.0%B+Strongest: jobs & income A−, schools A−·lowest: walkability D
35MadisonMorgan County · 5,179 people59.6top 30.5%B+Strongest: schools A, hazard risk A−·lowest: cost of living C+
36GrantvilleCoweta County · 3,284 people59.5top 30.7%B+Strongest: hazard risk A−, schools A−·lowest: walkability C−
40Social CircleWalton County · 5,537 people58.8top 32.5%B+Strongest: hazard risk A, schools B+·lowest: walkability C+
41ChatsworthMurray County · 5,029 people58.6top 33.0%B+Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health C
42StathamBarrow County · 3,350 people58.6top 33.1%B+Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B+·lowest: health C+
44CommerceJackson County · 9,303 people57.9top 34.8%B+Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A·lowest: health C
48HapevilleFulton County · 7,410 people57.0top 37.4%BStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: cost of living C−
51HoschtonJackson County · 8,623 people56.6top 38.3%BStrongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: walkability C−
54LeesburgLee County · 3,597 people56.3top 39.3%BStrongest: schools A, safety A−·lowest: walkability C−
55Lakeviewunincorporated, Catoosa County · 4,723 people56.3top 39.4%BStrongest: cost of living A, schools B+·lowest: health C
58PembrokeBryan County · 2,706 people55.5top 41.4%BStrongest: schools A, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk D
59Avondale EstatesDeKalb County · 3,543 people55.1top 42.4%BStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
60Buckheadunincorporated, Bryan County · 4,702 people54.9top 42.8%BStrongest: health A, schools A·lowest: hazard risk D−
61DaculaGwinnett County · 9,373 people54.9top 42.9%BStrongest: hazard risk A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living C−
66Fair Oaksunincorporated, Cobb County · 9,014 people53.8top 45.8%B−Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: health C−
67LulaHall County · 3,048 people53.3top 47.4%B−Strongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: walkability D
69GrayJones County · 3,567 people53.1top 47.9%B−Strongest: hazard risk A−, safety B+·lowest: cost of living C
70AustellCobb County · 8,339 people53.0top 48.4%B−Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B−·lowest: health C
72Bemissunincorporated, Lowndes County · 9,201 people52.5top 49.6%B−Strongest: schools A, hazard risk B·lowest: walkability D
73HarlemColumbia County · 4,239 people52.4top 49.8%B−Strongest: schools A, hazard risk B+·lowest: cost of living C−
74BaldwinHabersham County · 4,240 people52.4top 49.9%B−Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: health C−
75Druid Hillsunincorporated, DeKalb County · 8,169 people52.1bottom 49.2%B−Strongest: health A+, walkability A+·lowest: cost of living D−
76GreensboroGreene County · 3,519 people51.7bottom 48.2%B−Strongest: cost of living A−, walkability A−·lowest: jobs & income C
77Lakeview Estatesunincorporated, Rockdale County · 3,596 people51.7bottom 48.2%B−Strongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D
78HahiraLowndes County · 3,595 people51.7bottom 48.1%B−Strongest: schools A, health B·lowest: cost of living C
80Echols CountyEchols County · 3,685 people51.6bottom 47.7%B−Strongest: schools B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health C−
81CorneliaHabersham County · 5,459 people51.3bottom 47.1%B−Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A−·lowest: health C−
82ClevelandWhite County · 3,472 people50.8bottom 45.8%B−Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: cost of living C
83Tybee IslandChatham County · 3,156 people50.7bottom 45.5%B−Strongest: walkability A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk D−
86LaFayetteWalker County · 7,157 people50.6bottom 45.3%B−Strongest: cost of living A, walkability B·lowest: health D
89BrookletBulloch County · 2,525 people49.9bottom 43.4%C+Strongest: safety A, schools B−·lowest: cost of living C−
90Heron Bayunincorporated, Henry County · 4,595 people49.7bottom 42.7%C+Strongest: hazard risk B+, walkability B+·lowest: cost of living C−
92FolkstonCharlton County · 4,767 people49.5bottom 42.2%C+Strongest: cost of living A, safety A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
95RinggoldCatoosa County · 3,391 people48.8bottom 40.4%C+Strongest: schools B+, health B·lowest: jobs & income C−
96Whitemarsh Islandunincorporated, Chatham County · 6,886 people48.8bottom 40.3%C+Strongest: health A, jobs & income A·lowest: hazard risk D−
102AbbevilleWilcox County · 2,819 people48.3bottom 38.7%C+Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
103GuytonEffingham County · 3,247 people48.0bottom 38.0%C+Strongest: schools A, cost of living B·lowest: walkability D
104HartwellHart County · 4,914 people48.0bottom 37.8%C+Strongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D
107CochranBleckley County · 4,986 people47.5bottom 36.7%C+Strongest: schools A, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
109Hannahs Millunincorporated, Upson County · 3,230 people47.2bottom 36.0%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B·lowest: health C−
111HamptonHenry County · 9,349 people46.8bottom 34.9%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, safety B+·lowest: cost of living C
112CentervilleHouston County · 9,505 people46.7bottom 34.7%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, schools B+·lowest: walkability C
113Reed Creekunincorporated, Hart County · 3,151 people46.5bottom 34.1%CStrongest: schools B+, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D
114HiramPaulding County · 5,585 people46.5bottom 34.1%CStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: safety D−
116Lindaleunincorporated, Floyd County · 4,289 people46.1bottom 33.1%CStrongest: schools A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
117LyonsToombs County · 4,260 people45.8bottom 32.5%CStrongest: cost of living B+, schools B+·lowest: health D
118Lake CityClayton County · 2,866 people45.8bottom 32.3%CStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: schools D
121BarnesvilleLamar County · 6,329 people45.4bottom 31.2%CStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income C−
122Dock Junctionunincorporated, Glynn County · 8,147 people45.3bottom 31.1%CStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
123JasperPickens County · 5,400 people45.3bottom 30.9%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, schools B·lowest: health C
126ByronPeach County · 6,567 people44.6bottom 29.0%CStrongest: hazard risk A, health B·lowest: walkability C−
129Fairviewunincorporated, Walker County · 5,302 people44.0bottom 27.7%CStrongest: cost of living A, schools B−·lowest: walkability D
131BlackshearPierce County · 3,680 people43.8bottom 27.4%CStrongest: schools A, safety B−·lowest: jobs & income D
133OakwoodHall County · 7,245 people43.7bottom 27.2%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C−
134Country Club Estatesunincorporated, Glynn County · 8,780 people43.7bottom 27.0%CStrongest: schools A−, walkability B·lowest: health D
135BloomingdaleChatham County · 3,077 people43.6bottom 26.9%CStrongest: health B+, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk D−
136RoystonFranklin County · 2,693 people43.2bottom 26.0%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D
137JonesboroClayton County · 6,046 people43.2bottom 26.0%CStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: schools D
138AlmaBacon County · 3,400 people42.8bottom 25.0%CStrongest: schools A, walkability A·lowest: jobs & income D−
140ReidsvilleTattnall County · 2,576 people42.4bottom 24.0%C−Strongest: walkability A, cost of living B·lowest: health D
142Fort ValleyPeach County · 9,220 people42.1bottom 23.4%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A·lowest: jobs & income D
143JacksonButts County · 5,884 people42.1bottom 23.4%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A·lowest: health D−
144ForsythMonroe County · 4,952 people42.0bottom 23.3%C−Strongest: schools A, hazard risk A·lowest: walkability D
145Skidaway Islandunincorporated, Chatham County · 9,315 people41.8bottom 22.8%C−Strongest: health A, jobs & income A−·lowest: cost of living D−
146SylvaniaScreven County · 2,704 people41.6bottom 22.4%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, safety B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
148EatontonPutnam County · 6,749 people41.3bottom 21.7%C−Strongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
149HogansvilleTroup County · 3,290 people41.3bottom 21.7%C−Strongest: hazard risk A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: cost of living C−
153SylvesterWorth County · 5,430 people40.8bottom 20.7%C−Strongest: hazard risk B+, walkability B+·lowest: health D
160RossvilleWalker County · 3,922 people40.1bottom 19.3%C−Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B−·lowest: health D
162Panthersvilleunincorporated, DeKalb County · 9,053 people39.8bottom 18.7%C−Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: schools C−
163WrightsvilleJohnson County · 3,585 people39.8bottom 18.7%C−Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
164OcillaIrwin County · 2,837 people39.7bottom 18.4%C−Strongest: schools B+, walkability B+·lowest: health D
165NichollsCoffee County · 3,317 people39.4bottom 18.0%C−Strongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
166Gresham Parkunincorporated, DeKalb County · 6,935 people39.4bottom 17.9%C−Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: schools C−
167MonticelloJasper County · 3,040 people39.4bottom 17.9%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D
169East DublinLaurens County · 2,552 people38.9bottom 16.9%C−Strongest: hazard risk A−, schools B·lowest: health D−
170Montgomeryunincorporated, Chatham County · 4,976 people38.9bottom 16.8%C−Strongest: health A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
176NashvilleBerrien County · 5,038 people38.0bottom 15.2%C−Strongest: schools B+, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income D
178SummervilleChattooga County · 4,440 people37.6bottom 14.5%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B·lowest: health D−
179WalthourvilleLiberty County · 4,003 people37.6bottom 14.5%DStrongest: jobs & income B, cost of living B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
180Bonanzaunincorporated, Clayton County · 3,279 people37.5bottom 14.4%DStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: schools D
181ToccoaStephens County · 9,539 people37.5bottom 14.4%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income D
183West PointTroup County · 3,661 people37.4bottom 14.2%DStrongest: hazard risk B+, jobs & income B−·lowest: health C−
184MetterCandler County · 4,076 people37.3bottom 14.0%DStrongest: cost of living B, walkability B−·lowest: health D−
185Chattanooga Valleyunincorporated, Walker County · 4,601 people36.9bottom 13.3%DStrongest: cost of living B, schools B−·lowest: walkability D
186GlennvilleTattnall County · 5,023 people36.7bottom 13.0%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: jobs & income D
188LithoniaDeKalb County · 2,608 people36.3bottom 12.4%DStrongest: hazard risk A+, walkability A·lowest: health D
190ThomsonMcDuffie County · 6,763 people36.2bottom 12.3%DStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B·lowest: health D
192DawsonTerrell County · 4,131 people36.1bottom 12.1%DStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D−
193LakelandLanier County · 3,062 people36.1bottom 12.1%DStrongest: walkability A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
194SwainsboroEmanuel County · 7,436 people36.1bottom 12.0%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: health D−
195BaxleyAppling County · 5,058 people35.9bottom 11.8%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B+·lowest: jobs & income D−
196ThunderboltChatham County · 2,534 people35.7bottom 11.5%DStrongest: walkability A−, jobs & income B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
198DonalsonvilleSeminole County · 2,834 people35.3bottom 11.0%DStrongest: walkability B, safety B·lowest: jobs & income D−
199HawkinsvillePulaski County · 4,789 people35.2bottom 10.8%DStrongest: walkability B+, hazard risk B·lowest: health D−
200SopertonTreutlen County · 2,994 people34.8bottom 10.3%DStrongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
201ViennaDooly County · 2,961 people34.6bottom 10.2%DStrongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk C·lowest: walkability D
202HephzibahRichmond County · 3,815 people34.3bottom 9.9%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: schools D
203UnadillaDooly County · 3,091 people34.1bottom 9.6%DStrongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
206Conleyunincorporated, Clayton County · 5,822 people33.2bottom 8.4%DStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability B·lowest: health D−
207Stone MountainDeKalb County · 6,562 people33.1bottom 8.2%DStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A·lowest: health D
209QuitmanBrooks County · 4,032 people32.7bottom 7.8%DStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
211Experimentunincorporated, Spalding County · 3,387 people32.7bottom 7.7%DStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health D−
212McRae-HelenaTelfair County · 5,443 people32.3bottom 7.3%DStrongest: cost of living B, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
213AshburnTurner County · 4,211 people32.3bottom 7.2%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
214WashingtonWilkes County · 3,638 people32.0bottom 7.0%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living C+·lowest: health D
216AdelCook County · 5,854 people31.5bottom 6.4%DStrongest: schools B, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D
217WaynesboroBurke County · 5,511 people31.5bottom 6.4%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living A−·lowest: health D−
218MillenJenkins County · 2,952 people31.5bottom 6.3%DStrongest: cost of living A+, walkability C+·lowest: health D−
219ManchesterMeriwether County · 3,594 people31.4bottom 6.2%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living A−·lowest: health D
222Hardwickunincorporated, Baldwin County · 3,402 people31.1bottom 5.9%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
224EastmanDodge County · 5,572 people30.6bottom 5.4%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B·lowest: safety D
225ThomastonUpson County · 9,852 people30.3bottom 5.2%DStrongest: hazard risk A, walkability A−·lowest: health D
227CamillaMitchell County · 4,988 people30.1bottom 4.9%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B·lowest: health D−
228SandersvilleWashington County · 5,397 people29.9bottom 4.8%D−Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
230ElbertonElbert County · 4,890 people29.3bottom 4.2%D−Strongest: hazard risk A, cost of living B·lowest: health D
232AlamoWheeler County · 3,362 people28.4bottom 3.6%D−Strongest: cost of living B, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
233MontezumaMacon County · 2,879 people28.3bottom 3.5%D−Strongest: walkability B+, hazard risk B·lowest: schools D
235HazlehurstJeff Davis County · 4,172 people28.2bottom 3.4%D−Strongest: schools B, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
236MorrowClayton County · 6,211 people28.2bottom 3.4%D−Strongest: hazard risk A−, walkability B·lowest: safety D−
237RockmartPolk County · 5,369 people27.7bottom 3.1%D−Strongest: hazard risk B−, jobs & income C+·lowest: health D
239FitzgeraldBen Hill County · 8,882 people27.2bottom 2.7%D−Strongest: hazard risk A, walkability B+·lowest: health D−
241Putneyunincorporated, Dougherty County · 3,150 people27.1bottom 2.6%D−Strongest: cost of living B−, health C·lowest: walkability D−
247Irondaleunincorporated, Clayton County · 9,185 people24.1bottom 1.3%D−Strongest: hazard risk B+, cost of living C+·lowest: health D−
249ClaxtonEvans County · 2,560 people23.7bottom 1.2%D−Strongest: walkability A, cost of living B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
254PelhamMitchell County · 3,359 people22.2bottom 0.8%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk C+·lowest: health D−
256BlakelyEarly County · 5,156 people19.9bottom 0.4%D−Strongest: cost of living B, hazard risk C−·lowest: safety D−
257CordeleCrisp County · 9,652 people18.2bottom 0.2%D−Strongest: walkability B+, hazard risk C+·lowest: safety D−
258CuthbertRandolph County · 3,026 people15.8bottom 0.1%D−Strongest: hazard risk B+, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within Georgia. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Left off: college campuses
Places where more than half the residents are college students (ACS) are graded like every town but kept off this list, since its figures mostly describe student life.
- B+Dahlonega 55% college students
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in Georgia?
Among 145 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Tyrone (Fayette County) ranks first, with an A+; jobs & income (A+) and schools (A) are its strongest grades; cost of living (C+) is its lowest. Palmetto and Chickamauga follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within Georgia. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (145 in Georgia). 110 smaller places have subject grades only; 5 towns of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; 1 college campus (Dahlonega) is left off. Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the Georgia page.
Go deeper
All Georgia rankings →More Georgia lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
Best places to live258 towns · #1 TyroneMost affordable towns263 towns · #1 Lakeview EstatesSafest towns132 towns · #1 SenoiaTowns with the best schools260 towns · #1 WatkinsvilleHealthiest towns261 towns · #1 Druid HillsBest towns for jobs & income263 towns · #1 TyroneMost walkable towns263 towns · #1 DecaturTowns with the lowest natural-hazard risk264 towns · #1 LithoniaBest towns for the outdoors264 towns · #1 Tybee IslandMost historic towns263 towns · #1 BrunswickTowns with the most civic life222 towns · #1 DecaturTowns with the least snow54 towns · #1 AdairsvilleDescribed, no lettersSnowiest towns54 towns · #1 AcworthDescribed, no lettersTowns with the mildest winters258 towns · #1 St. SimonsDescribed, no lettersTowns with the hottest summers258 towns · #1 Glennville and 2 moreDescribed, no lettersTowns with the coolest summers258 towns · #1 JasperDescribed, no lettersTowns with the highest incomes263 towns · #1 MiltonDescribed, no lettersTowns with the lowest property taxes262 towns · #1 Lakeview EstatesDescribed, no lettersFastest-growing towns218 towns · #1 HoschtonDescribed, no letters
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