Natchez is No. 5 on the latest Top 10 in USA TODAY rankings for “Best Historic Small Town,” the national news site announced Friday.

“I’m thrilled!” said Jennifer Ogden Combs, executive director of Visit Natchez and Natchez Convention Promotion Commission, upon hearing the news Friday. “I am incredibly grateful to everyone who voted and voted and voted again and shared with their family, and I’m so proud of everyone for voting.”

The USA TODAY press release says, “Nominees for all categories are chosen by a panel of relevant experts which include a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from 10Best.com; relevant expert contributors; and sources for both these media and other Gannett properties. The experts identify the top 20 cities, before the ballot is open to the public.”

Qualifying criteria include the cities’ populations be no bigger than 25,000 people.

“We’re overjoyed that our community, brimming with a one-of-a-kind culture driven by our storied past, to have been recognized with such a prestigious honor,” Combs told USA TODAY. “The city sees the value in enticing more visitors to be enlightened by our destination, with restaurants, shops and historic sites excitedly opening their doors to welcome visitors every day.”

Here is the complete list:

1. Tarpon Springs, Fla.
2. Natchitoches, La.
3. Haddonfield, N.J.
4. Williamsburg, Va.
5. Natchez, Miss.
6. Dodge City, Kansas
7. Cody, Wyo.
8. Solvang, Calif.
9. Bath, Maine
10. Madison, Ga.

Read more about the list and winners at https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-historic-small-town-2018/