While Lake Havasu City was listed on a recent study of the top retirement destinations in the country — statistics used reflected several cities in Mohave County.

Portfolio.com’s national study on the top retirement destinations named Lake Havasu City third but officials say the statistics were based on the Lake Havasu City-Kingman Metropolitan Statistical Area. A press release issued with the study states “the study, which used a six-part formula to rank 157 metropolitan and micropolitan markets with at least 40,000 seniors, named Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida as the number one choice for seniors’ post-retirement plans.”

The study used information compiled from the U.S. Census Bureau and while the Bradenton-Sarasota, Florida area fit, the Lake Havasu City-Kingman MSA was shortened to Lake Havasu City, said author of the study Scott Thomas.

“The names of all of these areas are considerably longer than the names we used,” said Thomas, who is also the projects editor for Portfolio.com. “That’s why in the story we referred to the methodology we used.”

The Lake Havasu-Kingman MSA comprises most of Mohave County, including Lake Havasu City, the city of Kingman and Bullhead City. City of Kingman Mayor John Salem said he disagreed with Thomas’ reason for not including Kingman in the name on the report.

“I think that’s outstanding that Kingman could be recognized in this report,” Salem said. “But I’m certainly disappointed they did it that way. The rest of the residents in Mohave County deserve the recognition. Do I feel slighted? Sure I do. … It would’ve been nice to have Kingman and Bullhead get that recognition they deserve, too.”

Jack Kramer, Kingman City Manager, said he would look into possibly increasing publicity for the story and including all of the Mohave County cities involved in the report.

“I think it’s too bad we’re not on there,” Kramer said. “I think it would’ve been nice to have the whole tri-city recognized in the report. … I think that if it does get out there as the third retirement destination, we should make sure it’s the tri-cities that are recognized in that.”

Upon hearing that the distinction is not only Lake Havasu City’s, but also Mohave County’s, Lake Havasu City Mayor Mark Nexsen said he was happy to share the honor.

“Mohave County as a whole is a great place to live,” Nexsen said. “It’s really a recreational destination, whether it be Kingman, Bullhead City or here. I think one thing that’s clear is Mohave County is an active retirement community.”

Nexsen said the area differed from places like Sun City because of all of the recreational and sporting opportunities available to not just retirees but people of all ages.

“It’s a great place to retire of course but no one should expect that it’s only retirees who come here,” Nexsen said. “I think it’s a great thing for Mohave County to be named on that list.”

Bullhead City Mayor Jack Hakim said he was not upset that the listing didn’t mention other cities in the area.

“We’re all in this together,” Hakim said. “If we can bring industry and business to one city in our county, then it’s all good for us as a whole.”

Hakim said Lake Havasu City deserved the distinction because of the “fine quality of life in Havasu.”

“Getting on that list means that retirees are moving to our county,” Hakim said. “If you put it all in perspective, it’s much better for our county but I think Havasu is a marvelous city. I think what the retirees are getting down there is first-class. So I’m not that concerned about (not being mentioned in the study).”

You can contact the reporter at nbruttell@havasunews.com