Best Counties To Raise A Family In NC
Choosing where you want to live and raise a family is a huge decision. So what are the best counties to raise a family in NC? The county you choose can significantly impact your quality of life, resale value, and schools. Stacker recently compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in North Carolina. They used data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors, including the cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation, and weather.
Check out the top 25 best counties to raise a family in NC.
25. Lincoln County
24. Gaston County
23. Pitt County
22. Surry County
21. Lee County
20. Carteret County
19. Watauga County
18. Sampson County
17. Johnston County
16. Henderson County
15. Cumberland County
14. Durham County
13. Iredell County
12. Catawba County
11. Buncombe County
10. New Hanover County
– Population: 227,938
– Median home value: $243,600 (58% own)
– Median rent: $1,031 (42% rent)
– Median household income: $54,891
– Top public schools: Isaac M. Bear High School (A), John T. Hoggard High School (A), Wilmington Early College High School (A)
– Top private schools: Cape Fear Academy (A+), Coastal Christian High School (A-), Wilmington Christian Academy (B+)
– Top places to live: Sea Breeze (A), Wrightsville Beach (A), Ogden (A)
9. Moore County
– Population: 97,294
– Median home value: $216,500 (76% own)
– Median rent: $879 (24% rent)
– Median household income: $59,963
– Top public schools: The Academy of Moore County (A+), West Pine Elementary School (A), West End Elementary School (A-)
– Top private schools: The O’Neal School (A+), Sandhills Classical Christian School (unavailable), Episcopal Day School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Pinehurst (A), Southern Pines (A), Foxfire (A)
8. Chatham County
– Population: 71,338
– Median home value: $281,700 (76% own)
– Median rent: $845 (24% rent)
– Median household income: $67,031
– Top public schools: Perry W. Harrison Elementary School (A-), Margaret B. Pollard Middle School (A-), Chatham Charter School (A-)
– Top private schools: Haw River Christian Academy (unavailable), Thales Academy Pittsboro K-5 (unavailable), Auldern Academy (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Fearrington Village (A), Pittsboro (B+), Siler City (B-)
7. Forsyth County
– Population: 375,195
– Median home value: $159,300 (62% own)
– Median rent: $812 (38% rent)
– Median household income: $51,569
– Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (A+), Atkins Academic & Technology High School (A), Ronald W. Reagan High School (A)
– Top private schools: Forsyth Country Day School (A+), Salem Academy (A+), Calvary Day School (A)
– Top places to live: Clemmons (A+), Lewisville (A), Winston-Salem (A)
6. Union County
– Population: 231,053
– Median home value: $241,400 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,030 (19% rent)
– Median household income: $80,033
– Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (A+), Weddington High School (A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+)
– Top private schools: Arborbrook Christian Academy (A-), Metrolina Christian Academy (A-), Grace Academy (B)
– Top places to live: Marvin (A+), Weddington (A+), Waxhaw (A)
5. Cabarrus County
– Population: 206,615
– Median home value: $203,100 (71% own)
– Median rent: $925 (29% rent)
– Median household income: $67,328
– Top public schools: Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School (A), J.N. Fries Middle School (A), Cox Mill High School (A)
– Top private schools: Cannon School (A+), Christ the King Catholic High School (A), Covenant Classical School (B+)
– Top places to live: Harrisburg (A+), Concord (A), Kannapolis (B+)
4. Guilford County
– Population: 527,868
– Median home value: $167,000 (59% own)
– Median rent: $878 (41% rent)
– Median household income: $53,261
– Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Greensboro Academy (A+)
– Top private schools: Greensboro Day School (A+), Wesleyan Christian Academy (A), Caldwell Academy (A)
– Top places to live: Oak Ridge (A+), Stokesdale (A), Jamestown (A)
3. Orange County
– Population: 144,836
– Median home value: $308,800 (63% own)
– Median rent: $1,093 (37% rent)
– Median household income: $71,723
– Top public schools: East Chapel Hill High School (A+), Carrboro High School (A+), Chapel Hill High School (A+)
– Top private schools: Carolina Friends School (A+), Emerson Waldorf School (A), St. Thomas More Catholic School (unavailable)
– Top places to live: Chapel Hill (A+), Carrboro (A+), Hillsborough (A)
2. Mecklenburg County
– Population: 1,074,475
– Median home value: $238,000 (56% own)
– Median rent: $1,146 (44% rent)
– Median household income: $66,641
– Top public schools: Metrolina Regional Scholars Academy (A+), Ardrey Kell High School (A+), Community School of Davidson (A+)
– Top private schools: Providence Day School (A+), Charlotte Country Day School (A+), Charlotte Latin School (A+)
– Top places to live: Ballantyne East (A+), Dilworth (A+), Fourth Ward (A+)
1.Wake County
– Population: 1,069,079
– Median home value: $281,700 (64% own)
– Median rent: $1,150 (36% rent)
– Median household income: $80,591
– Top public schools: Raleigh Charter High School (A+), Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+)
– Top private schools: Cary Academy (A+), Ravenscroft School (A+), St. David’s School (A+)
– Top places to live: Morrisville (A+), Cary (A+), Apex (A+)
Do you agree with the list of the best counties to raise a family in NC? Check out the full article and list here
