The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In America For 2024


The best cities for families in the United States are Concord and Dearborn for 2024 based on Saturday Night Science.

Best Cities For Families In The United States Map
Are you thinking about moving? If so, you’ve come to the right place. There’s a lot to consider when you’re looking for a great place to live, especially if you have a family.

When you’re thinking about the best place to take your family, you probably want to keep in mind a number of factors.

According to the United States Census, Americans are moving towards more major cities, and away from the country. Why is that? Are we ever going to see a dividing line between the suburbs and downtowns?

And will we see ‘the best’ places to live remain suburbs, or will the best places to live get pushed out to the country one day?

So, where are the best cities for families in America? You may be surprised by the results. And, odds are, you won’t be able to afford to move there, either.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table


You’re probably thinking, ‘California must be pretty amazing.’ Well, the authors of this blog are from California, and while there is a good quality of life in many parts, the traffic and crime might overwhelm you.

As long as you stay in your little nook, you’ll be okay. Meaning, stay in your city, and you’ll love your little Cali bubble.

Keep on reading for a detailed methodology or check out:

The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In America For 2024

Concord, NC

Source: Wikipedia User AlexiusHoratius | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 105,335
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 68
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 110
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,024
Households With Kids: 37.2%
More on Concord: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Dearborn, MI

Source: Wikipedia User Dave Parker | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 108,414
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 65
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 278
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,899
Households With Kids: 36.0%
More on Dearborn: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Overland Park, KS

Source: Wikipedia User Nightryder84 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

9
/10

Population: 196,676
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 57
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 222
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,393
Households With Kids: 29.3%
More on Overland Park: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

The 3rd best place to raise a family in America is Overland Park, Kansas, a Kansas City suburb. Overland Park is also one of the most affordable places you can live in the country – at least for now. The schools here are like off the charts good, and families here all thrive. Divorce rates are super low, and everyone has a good job if they want one.

There’s a lot to do downtown, there’s farmers, concerts, events and parks all over the place. There’s a real sense of community here in Overland Park.

West Jordan, UT

Source: Wikipedia User Scott Hughes from Dallas, TX, US | CC BY-SA 2.0
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 116,383
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 66
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 331
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,146
Households With Kids: 44.3%
More on West Jordan: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Nampa, ID

Source: Wikipedia User Visitor7 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 102,598
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 47
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 382
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,377
Households With Kids: 36.6%
More on Nampa: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Fort Wayne, IN

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 264,514

Family Friendly Amenities Score: 100
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 265
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,416
Households With Kids: 30.1%
More on Fort Wayne: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Torrance, CA

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

9
/10

Population: 145,454
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 68
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 255
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,549
Households With Kids: 29.6%
More on Torrance: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Green Bay, WI

Source: Wikipedia User Chris Rand | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 106,846
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 92
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 426
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,725
Households With Kids: 29.0%
More on Green Bay: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Review Of Green Bay by HomeSnacks User

The main attraction in this small city is Lambeau Field, home to the Green Bay Packers. Surrounding it are many fine restaurants and places to grab a beer. Visitors can shop at the Pro Shop and have fun at the Packer Hall of Fame.

The people here are very friendly, even if you’re wearing gear from some other NFL team!

Review Green Bay

Olathe, KS

Source: Wikipedia User KS123 | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

8.5
/10

Population: 142,114
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 52
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 227
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,229
Households With Kids: 39.7%
More on Olathe: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Tampa, FL

Source: Wikipedia User Zeng8r | CC BY-SA 4.0
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 388,768

Family Friendly Amenities Score: 100
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 498
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,679
Households With Kids: 26.9%
More on Tampa: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate

Review Of Tampa by HomeSnacks User

My parents live in Florida so its nice to visit with them when I get the chance. My mom and my stepfather live in Tampa while, my dad and stepmom live in Bonita Springs. My mother hates it that her kids and grandchildren live so far away but, my mother and stepdad would not live here. My mom’s house is five minutes away from the airport so it is an easy pickup. Their condo has a lot of wildlife surrounding it. We have seen alligators, birds, monkeys, and domestic animals up close. It is nice to visit especially going to see the amusement parks. On the other hand, there have been two times where I have gotten sick but, I think it was something I ate.

I think there are a couple of things that stand out. They have numerous parades that throw out different types of beads. The Tampa Zoo is big on Christmas decorations and they always dress it up with different colored lights so that is something I like to see. My two year old daughter has never visited but, they have tons of children’s events for her age. We are going to Florida this December so it will an experience for her. On the other hand, there is lots of wildlife which is a good thing to see but, can become dangerous if not handled properly.

Review Tampa

Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in America anyway?

To determine which American cities are the best for families, we have to look at a handful of metrics. We’d all agree that safety, good schools, low crime, and good jobs are all family-friendly factors. We included those, as well as several other factors.

Using Saturday Night Science, we looked U.S. Census data for the every place in the U.S. over 100,000 people. We paid particular attention to:

  • Crime (Both violent and property)
  • Quality of local schools
  • Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
  • % of households with children
  • Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)

We then gave each city a Family Score that is a blended average of each of the above criteria.

The higher the score, the better the city is for families.

We updated this article for 2024. This report is our tenth time ranking the best cities to raise a family in America.

Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In The United States

If you’re looking for a breakdown of American cities ranked by criteria that most would agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.

The best cities for families in the United States are Concord, NC, Dearborn, MI, Overland Park, KS, West Jordan, UT, Nampa, ID, Fort Wayne, IN, Torrance, CA, Green Bay, WI, Olathe, KS, and Tampa, FL.

Alrighty, so there they are, our most family friendly cities in America. These are the places outside of major metro areas where you can safely, affordably and enjoyably start a family and live well.

Of course, you could raise your kid in a really big city. Some people choose to do so and thrive. But the reality of the situation is less and less Americans are raising families in the big cities these days.

Here’s a look at the cities in America that are probably great if you are single according to the data:

  1. North Charleston
  2. Pompano Beach
  3. Minneapolis

For more reading, check out:

Best Cities To Raise A Family In America For 2024

Rank City Population Amenities Score Violent Crime/100K Property Crime/100K
1 Concord, NC 105,335 42 110 1,024
2 Dearborn, MI 108,414 56 278 1,899
3 Overland Park, KS 196,676 75 222 2,393
4 West Jordan, UT 116,383 60 331 2,146
5 Nampa, ID 102,598 44 382 1,377
6 Fort Wayne, IN 264,514 100 265 2,416
7 Torrance, CA 145,454 70 255 2,549
8 Green Bay, WI 106,846 92 426 1,725
9 Olathe, KS 142,114 46 227 1,229
10 Tampa, FL 388,768 100 498 1,679
11 Clearwater, FL 116,984 90 393 1,888
12 San Mateo, CA 104,165 67 289 2,236
13 Virginia Beach, VA 457,900 67 87 1,609
14 Santa Ana, CA 311,379 81 458 2,224
15 Allen, TX 105,444 53 99 944
16 Brockton, MA 104,713 55 679 1,818
17 Alexandria, VA 157,594 79 178 1,869
18 Laredo, TX 255,293 63 318 1,293
19 Ann Arbor, MI 122,216 92 303 1,692
20 Norman, OK 127,701 63 306 2,777
21 Worcester, MA 204,191 65 609 1,686
22 Naperville, IL 149,089 46 52 812
23 Paterson, NJ 157,864 43 907 1,368
24 Boston, MA 665,945 100 593 1,728
25 El Cajon, CA 105,721 63 464 1,592
26 Mckinney, TX 196,160 55 121 1,102
27 Fullerton, CA 142,280 65 387 2,621
28 Santa Clarita, CA 225,850 50 159 1,066
29 Newark, NJ 307,355 80 514 1,802
30 Thornton, CO 141,799 52 287 3,513
31 Clovis, CA 120,607 44 195 1,801
32 Hayward, CA 160,602 39 348 2,826
33 Thousand Oaks, CA 126,532 38 56 1,091
34 Chandler, AZ 275,618 75 186 1,845
35 Simi Valley, CA 126,153 44 94 847
36 Jurupa Valley, CA 105,672 65 330 2,799
37 Yonkers, NY 209,780 70 307 909
38 Miami, FL 443,665 100 596 2,950
39 Oxnard, CA 202,279 53 367 2,137
40 Peoria, AZ 191,292 65 201 1,429
41 Boulder, CO 106,598 65 359 2,901
42 Santa Rosa, CA 178,221 55 334 1,342
43 Elk Grove, CA 176,105 36 206 1,343
44 Greeley, CO 107,949 62 589 3,200
45 Provo, UT 114,400 54 146 1,395
46 Lowell, MA 114,737 57 396 1,724
47 Lynn, MA 100,653 38 657 1,195
48 Abilene, TX 126,356 48 464 1,976
49 Santa Clara, CA 128,058 62 309 3,564
50 Providence, RI 189,715 76 338 2,522
51 Newport News, VA 185,118 65 605 2,286
52 Denton, TX 142,262 45 312 2,581
53 Downey, CA 113,052 51 444 2,560
54 Rio Rancho, NM 104,351 42 470 1,721
55 Miramar, FL 135,158 36 258 1,109
56 Sioux Falls, SD 193,401 86 564 3,186
57 Corona, CA 158,346 43 221 2,457
58 Raleigh, NC 465,517 100 505 2,361
59 Irvine, CA 304,527 47 76 1,514
60 Cincinnati, OH 308,870 100 838 3,737
61 Richardson, TX 118,063 44 155 2,227
62 High Point, NC 114,120 52 548 2,695
63 Salinas, CA 162,783 44 519 1,670
64 Chesapeake, VA 249,377 68 424 2,045
65 Grand Prairie, TX 197,279 40 205 1,910
66 Norwalk, CA 101,893 46 371 1,803
67 Scottsdale, AZ 240,537 88 219 2,407
68 Joliet, IL 150,221 55 512 1,021
69 Chula Vista, CA 276,103 51 353 1,285
70 Carlsbad, CA 114,745 65 210 1,783
71 Pearland, TX 124,478 48 93 1,728
72 Escondido, CA 151,114 59 342 1,782
73 Murrieta, CA 111,899 42 280 1,276
74 Lewisville, TX 125,028 54 267 2,003
75 Edinburg, TX 100,964 43 348 2,300
76 Omaha, NE 489,201 100 554 3,427
77 Garland, TX 244,026 51 243 2,531
78 Manchester, NH 115,037 80 410 2,480
79 Rancho Cucamonga, CA 174,696 41 372 2,029
80 Murfreesboro, TN 153,487 64 538 2,224
81 Broken Arrow, OK 114,237 43 161 1,671
82 Visalia, CA 141,466 65 506 2,418
83 Santa Maria, CA 109,543 45 649 2,774
84 Reno, NV 265,196 92 590 2,637
85 Little Rock, AR 202,218 100 1,826 5,329
86 Cedar Rapids, IA 136,929 93 316 3,011
87 Sterling Heights, MI 133,744 47 203 1,156
88 Pembroke Pines, FL 170,472 31 122 1,463
89 Pasadena, TX 150,620 35 607 2,715
90 New Bedford, MA 100,620 58 631 1,572
91 Tuscaloosa, AL 105,797 81 610 2,759
92 Modesto, CA 218,308 61 764 2,411
93 Irving, TX 254,962 45 334 2,523
94 Pomona, CA 149,831 58 573 2,931
95 Norfolk, VA 236,973 95 692 4,798
96 Sunnyvale, CA 154,573 58 210 2,363
97 Lansing, MI 112,986 90 1,274 2,680
98 Hialeah, FL 222,996 58 200 1,726
99 Fresno, CA 541,528 100 873 3,483
100 Baton Rouge, LA 225,500 117 1,002 5,707

Family Places By State

About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.