Best counties to raise a family in Massachusetts
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June 3, 2021
Jellymuffin40 // Wikimedia Commons
Best counties to raise a family in Massachusetts
Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Massachusetts using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
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AlexiusHoratius // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Franklin County
- Population: 70,577
- Median home value: $232,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $976 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $60,950
- Top public schools: Conway Grammar School (A), Leverett Elementary School (A), Shutesbury Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Deerfield Academy (A+), Northfield Mount Hermon School (A+), Stoneleigh-Burnham School (A+)
- Top places to live: Deerfield (A-), South Deerfield (A-), Gill (B+)
- Median home value: $232,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $976 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $60,950
- Top public schools: Conway Grammar School (A), Leverett Elementary School (A), Shutesbury Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Deerfield Academy (A+), Northfield Mount Hermon School (A+), Stoneleigh-Burnham School (A+)
- Top places to live: Deerfield (A-), South Deerfield (A-), Gill (B+)
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Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock
#12. Barnstable County
- Population: 213,496
- Median home value: $393,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,311 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $74,336
- Top public schools: Nauset Regional High School (A+), Sturgis Charter Public School (A), Eastham Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Cape Cod Academy (A+), Falmouth Academy (A+), St. John Paul II High School (A-)
- Top places to live: West Falmouth (A), Orleans (A), Wellfleet (A)
- Median home value: $393,500 (80% own)
- Median rent: $1,311 (20% rent)
- Median household income: $74,336
- Top public schools: Nauset Regional High School (A+), Sturgis Charter Public School (A), Eastham Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Cape Cod Academy (A+), Falmouth Academy (A+), St. John Paul II High School (A-)
- Top places to live: West Falmouth (A), Orleans (A), Wellfleet (A)
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Protophobic // Wikimedia Commons
#11. Berkshire County
- Population: 126,425
- Median home value: $216,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $872 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $59,230
- Top public schools: Monument Mountain Regional High School (A), Mt. Greylock Regional High School (A-), Lenox Memorial High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Berkshire School (A+), Miss Hall's School (A+), Buxton School (A)
- Top places to live: Williamstown (A+), Lenox (A), Lanesborough (A-)
- Median home value: $216,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $872 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $59,230
- Top public schools: Monument Mountain Regional High School (A), Mt. Greylock Regional High School (A-), Lenox Memorial High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Berkshire School (A+), Miss Hall's School (A+), Buxton School (A)
- Top places to live: Williamstown (A+), Lenox (A), Lanesborough (A-)
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Real Window Creative // Shutterstock
#10. Hampden County
- Population: 467,871
- Median home value: $207,800 (61% own)
- Median rent: $906 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $55,429
- Top public schools: Longmeadow High School (A+), Springfield Preparatory Charter School (A), Glenbrook Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Springfield Commonwealth Academy (A+), Wilbraham & Monson Academy (A+), Pope Francis Preparatory School (A-)
- Top places to live: Longmeadow (A+), Wilbraham (A), East Longmeadow (A-)
- Median home value: $207,800 (61% own)
- Median rent: $906 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $55,429
- Top public schools: Longmeadow High School (A+), Springfield Preparatory Charter School (A), Glenbrook Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Springfield Commonwealth Academy (A+), Wilbraham & Monson Academy (A+), Pope Francis Preparatory School (A-)
- Top places to live: Longmeadow (A+), Wilbraham (A), East Longmeadow (A-)
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Jwgetchell // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Dukes County
- Population: 17,312
- Median home value: $699,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,459 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $71,811
- Top public schools: Tisbury Elementary School (A), West Tisbury Elementary School (A-), Chilmark Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Vineyard Montessori School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Tisbury (B+), Vineyard Haven (B+), Edgartown (B)
- Median home value: $699,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,459 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $71,811
- Top public schools: Tisbury Elementary School (A), West Tisbury Elementary School (A-), Chilmark Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Vineyard Montessori School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Tisbury (B+), Vineyard Haven (B+), Edgartown (B)
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Marcbela (Marc N. Belanger) // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Bristol County
- Population: 561,037
- Median home value: $299,800 (63% own)
- Median rent: $901 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $69,095
- Top public schools: Oliver Ames High School (A), Foxborough High School (A), Mansfield High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Al-Noor Academy (A+), Bishop Feehan High School (A), Legacy Christian Academy (A-)
- Top places to live: Mansfield (A), Easton (A-), North Attleborough (A-)
- Median home value: $299,800 (63% own)
- Median rent: $901 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $69,095
- Top public schools: Oliver Ames High School (A), Foxborough High School (A), Mansfield High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Al-Noor Academy (A+), Bishop Feehan High School (A), Legacy Christian Academy (A-)
- Top places to live: Mansfield (A), Easton (A-), North Attleborough (A-)
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Schlitzer90 // Wikimedia Commons
#7. Plymouth County
- Population: 515,303
- Median home value: $370,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,279 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $89,489
- Top public schools: Duxbury High School (A), William L. Foster Elementary School (A), Norwell High School (A)
- Top private schools: Tabor Academy (A+), Notre Dame Academy (A), Calvary Chapel Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Norwell (A), Hingham (A), Scituate (A)
- Median home value: $370,300 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,279 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $89,489
- Top public schools: Duxbury High School (A), William L. Foster Elementary School (A), Norwell High School (A)
- Top private schools: Tabor Academy (A+), Notre Dame Academy (A), Calvary Chapel Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Norwell (A), Hingham (A), Scituate (A)
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John Phelan // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Hampshire County
- Population: 161,032
- Median home value: $283,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,119 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $70,876
- Top public schools: Amherst Regional High School (A+), Northampton High School (A), Westhampton Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The MacDuffie School (A+), The Williston Northampton School (A+), The Hartsbrook School (A)
- Top places to live: Pelham (A+), Northampton (A), Amherst (A)
- Median home value: $283,100 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,119 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $70,876
- Top public schools: Amherst Regional High School (A+), Northampton High School (A), Westhampton Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: The MacDuffie School (A+), The Williston Northampton School (A+), The Hartsbrook School (A)
- Top places to live: Pelham (A+), Northampton (A), Amherst (A)
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Sean Pavone // Shutterstock
#5. Suffolk County
- Population: 796,605
- Median home value: $496,500 (36% own)
- Median rent: $1,590 (64% rent)
- Median household income: $69,669
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (A+), Boston Latin Academy (A), William P. Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Winsor School (A+), Boston University Academy (A+), Commonwealth School (A+)
- Top places to live: Longwood Medical Area (A+), Leather District (A+), Allston (A+)
- Median home value: $496,500 (36% own)
- Median rent: $1,590 (64% rent)
- Median household income: $69,669
- Top public schools: Boston Latin School (A+), Boston Latin Academy (A), William P. Gorman Fort Banks Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Winsor School (A+), Boston University Academy (A+), Commonwealth School (A+)
- Top places to live: Longwood Medical Area (A+), Leather District (A+), Allston (A+)
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Bobak // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Essex County
- Population: 783,676
- Median home value: $409,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,241 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $79,263
- Top public schools: Marblehead High School (A), Summer Street Elementary School (A), Community Day Charter Public School (A)
- Top private schools: Phillips Academy (A+), Brooks School (A+), The Governor's Academy (A+)
- Top places to live: Andover (A+), Marblehead (A+), Hamilton (A)
- Median home value: $409,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,241 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $79,263
- Top public schools: Marblehead High School (A), Summer Street Elementary School (A), Community Day Charter Public School (A)
- Top private schools: Phillips Academy (A+), Brooks School (A+), The Governor's Academy (A+)
- Top places to live: Andover (A+), Marblehead (A+), Hamilton (A)
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Daderot // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Worcester County
- Population: 824,772
- Median home value: $280,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $74,679
- Top public schools: Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (A+), Westborough High School (A+), Shrewsbury Senior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (A+), Cushing Academy (A+), Bancroft School (A+)
- Top places to live: Westborough (A+), Shrewsbury (A+), Northborough (A+)
- Median home value: $280,600 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $74,679
- Top public schools: Massachusetts Academy of Math & Science (A+), Westborough High School (A+), Shrewsbury Senior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Mark's School (A+), Cushing Academy (A+), Bancroft School (A+)
- Top places to live: Westborough (A+), Shrewsbury (A+), Northborough (A+)
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Jameslwoodward // Wikimedia Commons
#2. Norfolk County
- Population: 700,437
- Median home value: $470,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,589 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $103,291
- Top public schools: Brookline High School (A+), Wellesley Senior High School (A+), Medfield Senior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (A+), Milton Academy (A+), Dana Hall School (A+)
- Top places to live: Brookline (A+), Wellesley (A+), Dover (A+)
- Median home value: $470,800 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,589 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $103,291
- Top public schools: Brookline High School (A+), Wellesley Senior High School (A+), Medfield Senior High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Noble and Greenough School (A+), Milton Academy (A+), Dana Hall School (A+)
- Top places to live: Brookline (A+), Wellesley (A+), Dover (A+)
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Jellymuffin40 // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Middlesex County
- Population: 1,600,842
- Median home value: $500,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,636 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $102,603
- Top public schools: Wayland High School (A+), Lexington High School (A+), Hopkinton High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Groton School (A+), Concord Academy (A+), Middlesex School (A+)
- Top places to live: The Port (A+), Cambridgeport (A+), Peabody (A+)
- Median home value: $500,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,636 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $102,603
- Top public schools: Wayland High School (A+), Lexington High School (A+), Hopkinton High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Groton School (A+), Concord Academy (A+), Middlesex School (A+)
- Top places to live: The Port (A+), Cambridgeport (A+), Peabody (A+)
