15 Best Cities to Raise Kids in the US

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15 Best Cities to Raise Kids in the US

Resettling your family to a whole different country is not an easy decision to make. You have to think about your lifestyle and how you will merge that into a completely different environment.  

There are many wonderful places in the United States to raise a family, which is the first thing you should know if you’re thinking about moving there but haven’t been there yet. Your priorities may shift once you decide to start a family. Perhaps your priority was a  vibrant nightlife, a place with many singles or was mesmerised by tall buildings and stylish lofts.

When children are involved, those preferences may be replaced by ones that are much more practical: excellent schools, secure neighbourhoods, a large number of newly-formed families, and high-calibre healthcare.

We’ve put together a list of the best 15 cities to raise kids in the US.

1. Jacksonville, Florida

Community Outreach by PicoOrdinalo from Wikimedia Commons

With just under a million residents and a size of well over 800 square miles, this city is the biggest in Florida both in terms of population and space. With 13% of residents under the age of nine and 12% between the ages of ten and nineteen, the city has a sizable population of kids.

Nearly 130,000 students are served by Duval County Public Schools, which takes pride in its dedication to excellence, advancement, and the “whole child” philosophy. The Florida Department of Education gave the district a very high “B” grade for the 2018–2019 school year. More than 90% of students graduated in 2019–2020.

Over 25,000 kids are serviced by 147 private schools in the Jacksonville region in addition to the public schools. In Jacksonville, colleges and universities play an important role in the educational landscape. Nearby institutions include Edward Waters College, Florida State College-Jacksonville, Jacksonville University, and the University of North Florida.

You can’t get bored in Jacksonville because they have local beaches and islands. The best place for children is the outside and to gain knowledge Jacksonville has interesting museums. 

2. Boston, MA

Boston Financial District by Nelson48 from Wikimedia Commons

Moving to Boston? Parents can rest easy knowing their kids will appreciate the many family-friendly activities and big-city facilities the city has to offer. Along with highly regarded Boston institutions like Boston Latin School and Eliot K-8 Innovation School, the city has a lot to offer families. One example is the Franklin Park Zoo, where kids and their families can learn about exotic animals.

The fact that Boston has been rated as one of the safest cities in the country, along with its ranking as the city with the highest starting income and its numerous cultural and historical attractions, makes it a very desirable area for families to live. Boston is a great place for families with older children since it offers many options for higher education and is home to prestigious universities like Harvard University and the Ivy League’s Boston University.

3. Columbus, Ohio

With a little under 1 million population, Columbus is the largest city in Ohio and is expanding. It is comparable in size to Jacksonville. It is situated in the geographic heart of the state and serves as its capital. Children under the age of 10 make up 13% of Columbus’ population, while people aged 10 to 19 make up another 12%.

36% of Columbus’ schools, according to U.S. News & World Report, are among the top 25% in the country. The top-rated high school in the city is Bexley High School. 50,219 students attend 114 schools in the Columbus City School District. A total of 19,344 additional students are served by the 88 nearby private schools. Along with many other private and technical schools, Columbus is home to The Ohio State University’s main campus.

Columbus excels in terms of accessibility to healthcare, the number of highly regarded specialists, and the calibre of its facilities, including Ohio Health and Trinity Health. 

Columbians visit the Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, the Center of Science and Industry (COSI), the North Market, or the Scioto Mile’s urban green space when it’s time for family entertainment.

4. Colorado Springs, CO

:CC COSPRINGS by Postoak from Wikimedia Commons

The lovely mountain town of Colorado Springs may not be as big as Denver, but it still has plenty to offer families. It is located about an hour south of the capital city. In comparison to Denver, this city is 12% cheaper and significantly safer for families. However, Colorado Springs’ low cost of living is not the only factor luring families to the city.

Local students receive an excellent and goal-oriented education from schools like Discovery Canyon Middle School, Broadmoor Elementary, and The Classical Academy High School. In addition, living in Colorado Springs gives you access to parks, museums, hiking trails, and other family-friendly activities. Parents will also benefit from the city’s robust job market and inexpensive housing. Colorado Springs is one of the finest places for families in 2022 when all these things are taken into account, along with its excellent quality of life and fantastic neighbourhoods.

5. Indianapolis, IN

Downtown Indianapolis by Miyin2 from Wikimedia Commons

Another great location for families is definitely Indianapolis. The country’s capital city is one of the greatest areas to find employment and the cheapest place to live. Due to top-notch establishments like Speedway Junior High School, Herron High School, and Center for Inquiry School 84, Indianapolis’ schools are also one of its essential components. However, families aren’t just moving to Indianapolis to take advantage of its practical features.

Indianapolis is among the greatest cities in the country for families to raise children due to the abundance of family-friendly activities offered. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the largest motor racetrack in the world, and the Indianapolis Zoo are just two of the numerous family-friendly activities in Indianapolis.

6. Atlanta, Georgia

With a population of around 507,000 and rapid population growth, this significant historical city is home to many. Being Georgia’s capital, it provides students with the chance to see government operations.

As of 2021, 142,182 students attended 142 private schools, which are located in the greater Atlanta area, and another 30,204 attended 191 public schools, which total roughly 191 in number. The learning options available to families at colleges and universities are numerous. Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of Technology, and Emory University are among the nearby educational institutions.

Families in Atlanta can enjoy free time at Stone Mountain Park, the renowned Georgia Aquarium, and the perennially well-liked Zoo Atlanta. For an interesting day in Atlanta, people frequently visit Six Flags Over Georgia and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History.

7. Portland, OR

Portland by Fcb981 from Wikimedia Commons

For any family, moving to Portland is a wise choice, but those seeking an active lifestyle should consider it even more. Portland, which is among the most bicycle-friendly towns in the country, offers a lot of paths and parks where families can all go outside and take in the Pacific Northwest scenery. In addition to having a low crime rate and a thriving job market with high wages and low unemployment, Portland has a distinctive culture that is unmatched elsewhere.

One more significant factor that makes Portland considered to be among the greatest places in America to raise a family is its excellent schools. This Oregon city is a good choice for families because of Grant High School, Skyline School, Winterhaven School, and many other highly regarded Portland schools.

You may find many family-friendly activities in Portland at places like Washington Park, Oaks Amusement Park, and the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum.

8. Seattle, WA

Families moving to the Pacific Northwest find the region’s safe and reasonably priced, as well as spacious homes, to be quite alluring, but that is not the only reason why this stunning treasure will be sought after by families.

In addition, Seattle has a robust job market, a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities, and some of the state’s top schools, including Roosevelt High School and Garfield High School.

Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park, and the educational Pacific Science Center are close by, making it simple to go camping, hiking, and fishing adventures. Great sites like The Museum of Flight are also nearby.

9. San Francisco, CA

Golden Gate Bridge by Dasturias from Wikimedia Commons

San Francisco is one of the greatest cities in America for employment, with employees making far more than the average pay, despite the average real estate price here being more than some of the other top places to raise a family in the United States.

Due to its stable economy, San Francisco is a desirable area to raise a family. In addition, the city offers a wealth of family-friendly services, top-notch schools, and pleasant weather all year long.

San Francisco is one of the greatest cities in America for employment, with employees making far more than the average pay, despite the average real estate price here being more than some of the other top places to raise a family in the United States. Due to its stable economy, San Francisco is a desirable area to raise a family. In addition, the city offers a wealth of family-friendly services, top-notch schools, and pleasant weather all year long.

10. New York City, New York

It goes without saying that the Big Apple, with a population of over 8 million, has more to offer than virtually anywhere else in the country if you can tolerate the high expense of living and the dense population.

New York has a median age of 37.2, which is higher than the ages of the other cities on our list, but there are still a lot of kids around. Less than 20-year-olds make up about 23% of the population. 59,643 additional kids are served by 220 additional private schools in addition to the 171,127 children served by New York’s 362 public schools as of 2021.

Families may find lots to do in New York when their children are not in class, including boat cruises, walking around Central Park and Bryant Park, visiting numerous museums, and seeing various performances.

11. Cary, NC

One of the best places in the South to start a family is here. The second most livable city in North Carolina is Cary, which boasts top-notch public schools, pleasant weather, and a wide range of attractions. The suburban city’s small-town atmosphere and welcoming environment attract visitors from all over the country.

Cary is conveniently situated near Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill, all of which may be reached by car. Given that Cary’s overall crime rate is 59% lower than the national average, families will appreciate its safety.

Cary offers people quick access to several of the nation’s top healthcare providers due to its proximity to Duke University Hospital and the University of North Carolina Hospitals.

12. Virginia Beach, Virginia

The Skyline of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront by Jc7792 from Wikimedia Commons

The oceanfront setting of Virginia Beach gives it its unique character. With 450,000 inhabitants and 28 miles of beaches, it is the largest city in Virginia. It is safe to reside there due to the extremely low severe crime rate.

Children make up 25% of the population in Virginia Beach, with 13% of them being between the ages of 0 and 9 and 12% being between the ages of 10 and 19. The 36.6 median age is used. According to U.S. News & World Report, 40% of Virginia Beach’s public schools are among the top 25% in the country. A total of 68 private schools serving an additional 8,000+ students are located nearby and serve the approximately 67,000 students in the local public school district.

Virginia Beach’s public schools score among the top 20% of all Virginia’s public schools for average reading and math competence. 

In Virginia Beach, it is apparent to spend a day at the beaches, but there are also a tonne of other things to do, such visiting the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, False Cape State Park, and Ocean Breeze Waterpark.

13. Grand Rapids, Michigan

A family-friendly city with a population of roughly 200,000, Grand Rapids is situated in west central Michigan. People who like four seasons and the friendliness of the Midwest will like it. 25% of the population of Grand Rapids is under 20 years old, making it a city with a sizable child population.

The educational climate in Grand Rapids is influenced by colleges and universities. These include Cornerstone University, Aquinas College, and Calvin University.

Families can have fun in Grand Rapids by visiting the John Ball Zoo, the Children’s Museum, and riding the carousel at the Public Museum. There are also many excellent neighbourhood parks, swimming holes, and libraries.

14. Orlando, Florida

Skyline of Orlando by Artystyk386 from Wikimedia Commons

Orlando is a fantastic area for families to live as well as a great place to visit. Despite being inland and having a population of 287,435 people, this city is encircled by numerous lakes. While 10% of Orlando’s population is between the ages of 10 and 19, 14% of its residents are under the age of nine.

The best performing public schools in Orlando are Lake Eola Charter, Orlando Science Middle High Charter, and Orlando Science Elementary Charter. In and around Orlando, there are many colleges and universities. These include AdventHealth University, Stetson University, Rollins College, and the University of Central Florida. 156,592 children are educated in 202 public schools in Orlando. Another 24,463 students are served by the area’s 141 private schools.

15. Washington, D.C.

The nation’s capital is a popular tourist destination, much like Orlando, but it’s also a town with plenty of opportunities for raising a family. There are 705,749 individuals living there, or nearly 50% of the population. There are 4.9 million people living in the metro region, which includes Arlington and Alexandria. Washington, D.C., is a city where adults dominate the headlines, but there are plenty of children here as well; around 21% of the population is under 20.

There are 107 private schools in Washington, D.C., which adds to the city’s 223 public schools’ total student enrollment of 86,290. The low student-teacher ratio of 13:1 in the public school system is praised by parents.

Population health is an area where the city excels. There are many locations where members of the public can walk and exercise. Families in Washington, D.C., are fortunate to live close to some of the top museums in the world, including the Smithsonian museums and the National Air and Space Museum. The National Zoo is a great place. Local parks and playgrounds are still some of the top destinations for families.

Family-friendly neighbourhoods can be found anywhere, from the busiest big cities to the most tranquil small towns. The cities above all share a large population of children, a dedication to excellent schools, a robust healthcare system, and an abundance of activities. Which city suits you best?

Are you interested in raising a kids in the US? Find out how much it costs to have a family in America by reading How much does it cost to raise a kid in the US?