The most technology-advanced cities in America have been named by the Center for Digital Government based on its 2004 Digital Cities Survey. The annual survey examines how American city governments utilise digital technologies to serve their citizens better and streamline operations.

The first-place cities in their respective population categories are Virginia Beach, Va.; Des Moines, Iowa; Denton, Texas (tie); Ogden, Utah (tie); and Redmond, Wash.

Top 10 digital cities in the US

250,000 or more population category:

• 1: Virginia Beach, Va.
• 2: Tucson, Ariz.
• 3: Los Angeles, Calif.
• 4: Tampa, Fla.
• 5: Aurora, Colo.
• 6: Phoenix, Ariz.
• 7: Honolulu, Hawaii
• 8: Nashville, Tenn.
• 9: Washington, D.C.
• 10: Colorado Springs, Colo. (tie)
• 10: Corpus Christi, Texas (tie)

125,000-249,999 population category:

• 1: Des Moines, Iowa
• 2: Hampton, Va.
• 3: Winston-Salem, N.C.
• 4: Madison, Wis.
• 5: Norfolk, Va.
• 6: Torrance, Calif.
• 7: Chesapeake, Va.
• 8: Hollywood, Fla.
• 9: Chandler, Ariz.
• 10: Naperville, Ill.

75,000-124,999 population category:

• 1: Denton, Texas (tie)
• 1: Ogden, Utah (tie)
• 2: Pueblo, Colo.
• 3: Santa Monica, Calif.
• 4: Richardson, Texas
• 5: Roanoke, Va.
• 6: Bellevue, Wash.
• 7: Westminster, Colo.
• 8: Olathe, Kansas
• 9: Independence, Mo.
• 10: Orem, Utah

30,000-74,999 population category:

• 1: Redmond, Wash.
• 2: Blacksburg, Va.
• 3: Manchester, Conn.
• 4: Lynchburg, Va.
• 5: Charlottesville, Va.
• 6: Wellington, Fla.
• 7: Flower Mound, Texas
• 8: Walnut Creek, Calif.
• 9: Sarasota, Fla.
• 10: Palo Alto, Calif.

The Center and the National League of Cities (NLC) developed the survey this past summer and invited more than 600 city mayors, managers and chief information officers to participate.

The survey grouped cities into four population categories: 250,000 or greater, 125,000-249,999, 75,000-124,999, and 30,000-74,999. Officials responded to a set of 24 questions and ranked their jurisdictions according to a four-point scale, providing Web site addresses and background data for final verification and validation.

"We received a record number of survey responses this year from city governments around the country," said Cathilea Robinett, executive director of the centre.

The Center for Digital Government is a national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government in the US.