Choosing where to raise a family can be a daunting task, but a recent study ranking cities in the United States based on numerous qualifiers could help narrow the options.
New data published by WalletHub revealed which cities in America were optimal for raising a family. The annual report, now in its 10th year, evaluated 182 cities across the country on 45 key metrics, including education, health and safety, housing costs, opportunities for recreation, and socioeconomics.
Cassandra Happe, an analyst at WalletHub, said the aim of the study is to help households make informed decisions on where to raise their families by providing them with a detailed comparison of major cities in the U.S.
"Finding the best place to raise a family is difficult, between balancing an affordable cost of living with good educational opportunities, safety, and enough recreation to keep kids entertained. On top of all of these factors, people also often want to raise their children close to their extended family. Therefore, current or prospective parents can benefit from narrowing down their choices to a few of the best cities that are within a reasonable drive of their family," Happe said in the report.
Which City Ranked First This Year?
This year, The city of Fremont in California ranked first as the best place to raise a family. The city, which was built around the 1797 Mission San Jose, topped the list due to its high median family incomes, low poverty rates, and exceptional quality of education. The city also provides families access to a range of summer camps.
In addition, the city also has a "high percentage of two-parent families and low separation and divorce rates," Happe noted. This, she added, contributes to a "family-friendly environment."
When it comes to health, the study found that only 1.4% of children in Fremont lack health insurance, and only 1.1% of the population lacks access to healthy food.
15 Best Cities To Raise a Family in the US
Fremont, California
Overland Park, Kansas
Irvine, California
Plano, Texas
Seattle, Washington
Gilbert, Arizona
San Jose, California
San Diego, California
Boise, Idaho
Huntington Beach, California
Bismarck, North Dakota
San Francisco, California
Scottsdale, Arizona
Charleston, South Carolina
Madison, Wisconsin
