The 50 best small towns to raise a family have been revealed, all of which enjoy minimal crime, good schools and an overall high quality of life.
The rankings were determined based on several factors, including safety, a good public school system, a strong job market and a reasonable cost of living.
Each of the cities listed offers parents a close-knit community in which families can raise their children.
Many of the places ranked by Stacker They have populations of less than 5,000 inhabitants and have easy access to large cities.
The town of Kildeer came in first. One of the big draws of this small Chicago suburb is its low crime rate.
Many people choose to raise families in small towns because of the easier pace and good school systems. Cities like Devon, Pennsylvania (pictured), which comes in second, also have outstanding school systems.
Coming in at number ten is Kohler, Wisconsin, a town whose small population (2,142) does little to overshadow its grand ambition.
Kohler is home to The Kohler Company, the bath supplies giant. Every year, the company hosts the Kohler Food & Wine Experience.
The event is headlined by celebrity chefs and locals can take part in a unique culinary experience, which also features live music and festive drinks.
At number nine, Harrington Park, New Jersey, is one of four cities in the Garden State to make the top ten.
Many families also decide to move to small towns because they often have rich local histories.
With a population of 4,826, Harrington Park benefits from NJ Transit bus service, which commuters can take to the Port Authority in New York City.
The small town also boasts some illustrious former residents. New Jersey Senator Cory Booker spent his childhood in this cozy suburb.
At number eight is another New Jersey suburb: Haworth. Tucked away on the Oradell Reservoir, this small town has a population of just 3,342.
Despite its modest size, Haworth boasts two golf courses, swimming clubs and “postcard-beautiful” fairways.
The suburb is also very close to Manhattan, providing workers with a reasonable commute.
Continuing the trend of New Jersey cities, at number seven is the suburb of Ho-Ho-Kus.
Riverwoods, Chicago, ranks sixth and was founded by forty families in 1959.
The name is derived from the Lenni-Lenape language, and while its exact translation is unclear, experts believe it could potentially mean “running water” or “red cedar.”
Ho-Ho-Kus, population 4,234, is a bucolic paradise where residents can shop for local produce, join the town’s gardening club and visit the petting zoo at the Amba Farmers Market.
In sixth place is Riverwoods, a suburb of Chicago, which has a population of 4,007.
Founded in 1959 by about 40 families, this small town is located east of the Des Plaines River.
Hailed as a haven for those who appreciate nature, Riverwoods is home to the Edward L. Ryerson Conservation Area.
Mariemont, a suburb of Cincinnati, ranked fifth. The small town was designed to resemble an English garden city.
Mariemont, a suburb of Cincinnati, ranked fifth.
With a population of 3,493, the planned community was founded by local philanthropist Mary Emery in the 1920s.
John Nolen, an American planner and landscape architect, envisioned the city as an English garden city.
As a result, Mariemont is filled with tree-lined streets and Tudor-style homes.
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, came in fourth. This dream town boasts a good school system and a superlative lacrosse program.
Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, ranked number four on the list.
With a population of 4,499, this dreamy little town offers parents the perfect place to raise their families.
The Mountain Lakes school system is considered one of the best in the state, and the city is full of lakes and forests for nature lovers.
Mountain Lakes also boasts one of the top lacrosse programs in the country. Under coach Tim Flynn, the city has won many state championships.
Kensington, which came in third, is a small suburb of New York City.
With a population of just 1,445, Kensington is located on the Great Neck Peninsula.
At number three is Kensington, a small suburb of New York City.
With a population of just 1,445, Kensington is located on the Great Neck Peninsula.
The city’s most famous landmark is the “Big Neck Giraffe” statue, which is Kensington’s unofficial mascot.
The statue is located on the Village Green, one of the city’s most popular outdoor spots.
In second place is another small town, Devon, Pennsylvania, with a population of just 1,890. This charming suburb of Philadelphia is known for its historic horse racing.
Devon, PA is acclaimed for its rich local history, which attracts many families to settle there.
In second place is another small town: Devon, Pennsylvania, with a population of just 1,890.
Famous for the Devon Horse Show (the oldest and most historic multi-breed horse competition in the country), the city is just a half-hour train ride from Philadelphia, making it an ideal home base for many travelers.
Locals can also visit the Jenkins Arboretum, which remains a popular tourist destination.
And first there is Kildeer, a small town about 40 minutes from Chicago.
First up is Kildeer, a small town about 40 minutes from Chicago.
A big draw to Kildeer is its incredibly low crime rate, in stark contrast to Chicago, which is just 40 miles away.
That Kildeer took the coveted top spot is no surprise, given its charming streets and modest population of 4,133.
The Chicago suburb has many attractive features that draw families. One of them is its excellent educational system: Kildeer has some of the best public schools in the country.
Another big draw to Kildeer is its incredibly low crime rate, in stark contrast to Chicago, which is just 40 miles away.
The safety of towns like Kildeer explains why many parents choose to raise their children in suburbs rather than cities.
