Discover the Best Towns to Raise a Family in the U.S.

Choosing the ideal place to raise your family is a significant decision, loaded with considerations about schools, safety, community, and overall quality of life. WalletHub’s comprehensive annual report has become an invaluable resource for families navigating this complex choice. Now in its 10th year, the report analyzes 182 cities across the U.S., using 45 key metrics that span essential aspects of family life, from education and safety to affordability and recreational activities. This in-depth study aims to empower families with the knowledge to make informed decisions about where to settle down and build their future.

According to Cassandra Happe, a analyst and communications manager at WalletHub, the report is designed to be a practical guide for families in motion. “On average, Americans move 12 times in their lifetime, and millions relocate every year,” Happe stated. “Our report serves as a comprehensive benchmark, evaluating cities based on the core elements that matter most to families. It helps parents refine their options and pinpoint cities that genuinely offer the best environment for raising children.”

Top Cities Leading the Way for Family Life

This year’s report highlights Fremont, California, as the leading city for raising a family in the United States. Fremont, nestled in the San Francisco Bay Area, earned its top spot due to a robust combination of factors. The city demonstrates exceptional economic stability, boasting high median family incomes and low poverty rates. Furthermore, Fremont excels in education and health metrics, crucial components for any family-friendly town. Happe emphasizes the city’s strong social fabric, noting, “Fremont’s socioeconomic environment, characterized by a high percentage of two-parent households and low separation and divorce rates, significantly contributes to its family-oriented atmosphere.”

Following Fremont in the rankings are Overland Park, Kansas, securing the second position, and Irvine, California, ranking third. Plano, Texas, and Seattle, Washington, complete the top five, showcasing a diverse geographical spread of family-friendly towns across the nation.

Happe noted the surprising rise of some less prominent cities in the rankings. “It was quite unexpected to see cities like Fremont and Overland Park perform so strongly, especially when compared to larger, more traditionally recognized cities like New York or Los Angeles,” she commented. “This suggests that factors such as community safety, access to healthcare, affordability, and overall quality of life can be decisive in creating a family-friendly environment, sometimes even more so than the allure of major metropolitan hubs.”

Key Factors Defining the Best Family Towns

The WalletHub study pinpoints several key trends among the top-ranked cities, highlighting what makes them exceptional places to raise children. These trends emphasize a harmonious balance between:

Economic Stability: Cities like Fremont, Overland Park, and Irvine stand out for their strong economies. They feature high median family incomes, adjusted for the local cost of living, and low unemployment rates, providing families with financial security and opportunities.
Safety and Health: Safety is a paramount concern for families, and top-ranking towns excel in this area. Irvine boasts the lowest violent crime rate, while Overland Park demonstrates low rates of traffic fatalities and infant mortality, ensuring a safe and healthy environment for residents.
Educational Excellence: Education is a cornerstone of family well-being. Fremont and Irvine are recognized for their high percentage of top-rated public schools and abundant extracurricular activities for children, fostering academic and personal growth.
Recreational Opportunities: Family life extends beyond academics and safety to include leisure and recreation. The best towns offer numerous recreational amenities, such as parks, playgrounds, and community centers, encouraging active and engaged lifestyles for families.

The significant presence of California cities in the top rankings is also noteworthy. With four cities in the top 10 alone—Fremont, Irvine, San Jose (ranked seventh), and San Diego (ranked eighth)—California demonstrates a strong appeal for families. “California cities, particularly, consistently achieve high scores in family activities, healthcare access, safety ratings, and education quality. Cities like Fremont, Irvine, San Jose, and San Diego consistently rank near the top across multiple categories,” Happe explained.

Cities Facing Challenges in Family Friendliness

Conversely, the report identifies cities that face significant challenges in providing an optimal environment for families. Memphis, Tennessee, ranked last at 182nd, highlighting areas where improvements are needed. According to Happe, cities with lower rankings, like Memphis, often struggle with interconnected issues such as economic disparities, elevated crime rates, and limited access to essential services.

“Memphis’s lower ranking is primarily attributed to its weaker performance in critical areas such as health and safety, education and childcare resources, and socioeconomic factors,” Happe detailed. “Contributing factors to its position include higher incidents of violent crime and property crime per capita, challenges within the school system, lower high school graduation rates, and a higher proportion of families living below the poverty line and relying on food assistance programs. Additionally, Memphis faces hurdles in affordability, especially concerning housing costs.”

Discover the Top 25 Towns for Raising a Family

For those looking to relocate or simply curious about the family-friendliest towns in the U.S., WalletHub’s report offers a valuable starting point. Below is the list of the top 25 cities, offering a glimpse into the diverse landscape of excellent places to raise a family across the country.

Top 25 Best Towns To Raise A Family In The U.S.