The Milken Institute has ranked Bellingham the best performing small city in Washington state in 2012.

Bellingham ranked 35th nationally, up from 104th in 2011.

Logan, Utah, topped the list in 2012, while Bellingham was ranked the highest Washington community in the small city category. The Seattle/Bellevue/Everett area ranked 13th among large cities, with San Jose, Calif., topping that list.

The report ranks U.S. metro areas by how well they create and sustain job growth. It looks at a variety of categories, including job and wage growth as well as high-tech gross domestic product.

"Bellingham regularly makes several 'best of' lists," said Bellingham Mayor Kelli Linville in a news release. "I'm pleased to see us recognized yet again, especially on one that ranks us highly on economic and employment growth."

To view the report, visit milkeninstitute.org.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269.