The Best City to Raise a Family in America Is…

Excellent schools and a claim to the best public library system in the United States have helped the city of Naperville, Illinois, earn the title of “The Best City to Raise a Family in America.”

A western suburb of Chicago, Naperville edged out The Woodlands, Texas, and Arlington, Virginia for the top spot in a listing created by Niche, a Pittsburgh-based Internet search and review service. Ann Arbor, Michigan, and Columbia, Maryland, rounded out the top 5.

The rankings were compiled from 13 categories, including the quality of local schools, safety, affordability, and access to family amenities. Other factors included outdoor recreational opportunities and the proportion of residents that walk or bike, as well as the city’s ethnic, generational, and economic diversity.

While a city in Illinois took the top spot, Naperville was the only city in the Land of Lincoln to crack the Top 25. Texas led all states with six cities in the Top 25, while California was the home state for five of the Top 25.

The Best Cities to Raise a Family in America
1. Naperville, Illinois
2. The Woodlands, Texas
3. Arlington, Virginia
4. Ann Arbor, Michigan
5. Columbia, Maryland

6. Overland Park, Kansas
7. Plano, Texas
8. Bellevue, Washington
9. Cambridge, Massachusetts
10. Irvine, California

11. Berkeley, California
12. Richardson, Texas
13. Raleigh, North Carolina
14. Round Rock, Texas
15. Carlsbad, California

16. Sunnyvale, California
17. Madison, Wisconsin
18. Boulder, Colorado
19. Seattle, Washington
20. Rochester, Minnesota

21. Torrance, California
22. Columbia, Missouri
23. College Station, Texas
24. Omaha, Nebraska
25. Austin, Texas

See the Full Rankings