PEORIA, Ill. (AP)- He needs cookies and milk, department stores to make his appearances, and post offices to handle all the letters from children.

If Santa Claus ever needs to move from the North Pole, he should consider Peoria. That’s the word from a Canadian think tank that analyzed data on Canadian and U.S. cities for its list of top 10 places suitable for Santa.

The Martin Prosperity Institute at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management ranks Peoria sixth on its list. The rankings are based on five variables: the number, per capita, of cookie factories, milk producers, postal and courier services, department stores and toy factories.

The researchers didn’t say why Santa needs toy factories. Perhaps the elves want to stay at the North Pole.

Online: http://martinprosperity.org/insights/insight/dear-santa-whos-your-city

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)