Best places to raise a family in North Carolina
Written by:
April 20, 2021
Arina P Habich // Shutterstock
Best places to raise a family in North Carolina
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing—and prioritizing—certain community resources and costs.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in North Carolina using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
You may also like:
Highest-rated beer in North Carolina
#25. Huntersville
- Population: 55,980
- Median home value: $301,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,305 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $102,016
- Top public schools: William Amos Hough High School (A), Cato Middle College High School (A), Charlotte Engineering Early College (A)
- Top private schools: Lake Norman Christian School (A), SouthLake Christian Academy (A), St. Mark Catholic School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 16959 Huntersville Concord Rd, Huntersville ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $301,500 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,305 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $102,016
- Top public schools: William Amos Hough High School (A), Cato Middle College High School (A), Charlotte Engineering Early College (A)
- Top private schools: Lake Norman Christian School (A), SouthLake Christian Academy (A), St. Mark Catholic School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 16959 Huntersville Concord Rd, Huntersville ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
#24. Avery Creek
- Population: 2,675
- Median home value: $242,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,227 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $79,729
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (A+), T.C. Roberson High School (A), Valley Springs Middle School (A)
- Pictured: 11 Craftsman Overlook Rdg, Arden ($679,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $242,300 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,227 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $79,729
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (A+), T.C. Roberson High School (A), Valley Springs Middle School (A)
- Pictured: 11 Craftsman Overlook Rdg, Arden ($679,000, 4 bedrooms)
#23. Raleigh
- Population: 464,485
- Median home value: $248,300 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $67,266
- 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: Ravenscroft School (A+), St. David's School (A+), Saint Mary's School (A+)
- Pictured: 6036 Over Hadden Ct, Raleigh ($3.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $248,300 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,121 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $67,266
- 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: Ravenscroft School (A+), St. David's School (A+), Saint Mary's School (A+)
- Pictured: 6036 Over Hadden Ct, Raleigh ($3.8 million, 5 bedrooms)
#22. Whispering Pines
- Population: 3,288
- Median home value: $318,900 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,490 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $79,943
- Top public schools: New Century Middle School (A-), Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School (B+), Union Pines High School (B+)
- Pictured: 165 McDeeds Creek Rd, Whispering Pines ($498,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $318,900 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,490 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $79,943
- Top public schools: New Century Middle School (A-), Sandhills Farm Life Elementary School (B+), Union Pines High School (B+)
- Pictured: 165 McDeeds Creek Rd, Whispering Pines ($498,900, 3 bedrooms)
#21. Waxhaw
- Population: 15,237
- Median home value: $329,400 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,446 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $111,642
- Top public schools: Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+), Cuthbertson High School (A), Sandy Ridge Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Everbrook Academy of Waxhaw (unavailable)
- Pictured: 9816 Sedgefield Dr, Waxhaw ($3.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $329,400 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,446 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $111,642
- Top public schools: Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+), Cuthbertson High School (A), Sandy Ridge Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Everbrook Academy of Waxhaw (unavailable)
- Pictured: 9816 Sedgefield Dr, Waxhaw ($3.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Counties with the highest heart disease rates in North Carolina
#20. Royal Pines
- Population: 4,759
- Median home value: $260,300 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,117 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $83,012
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (A+), T.C. Roberson High School (A), Valley Springs Middle School (A)
- Pictured: 12 N Oak Terrace Dr, Arden ($625,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $260,300 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,117 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $83,012
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (A+), T.C. Roberson High School (A), Valley Springs Middle School (A)
- Pictured: 12 N Oak Terrace Dr, Arden ($625,000, 3 bedrooms)
#19. Rolesville
- Population: 7,488
- Median home value: $316,200 (84% own)
- Median rent: $788 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $119,615
- Top public schools: Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (A+), Heritage High School (A)
- Pictured: 912 Flash Dr, Rolesville ($605,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $316,200 (84% own)
- Median rent: $788 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $119,615
- Top public schools: Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (A+), Heritage High School (A)
- Pictured: 912 Flash Dr, Rolesville ($605,000, 5 bedrooms)
#18. Summerfield
- Population: 11,151
- Median home value: $361,100 (87% own)
- Median rent: $961 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $103,769
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Philip J. Weaver Education Center (A+)
- Pictured: 6174 Castlebrook Dr, Summerfield ($998,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $361,100 (87% own)
- Median rent: $961 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $103,769
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Philip J. Weaver Education Center (A+)
- Pictured: 6174 Castlebrook Dr, Summerfield ($998,900, 4 bedrooms)
#17. Stokesdale
- Population: 5,396
- Median home value: $205,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $895 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $84,583
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Early College of Forsyth (A+)
- Pictured: 7814 Neugent Dr, Kernersville ($999,999, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $205,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $895 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $84,583
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Early College of Forsyth (A+)
- Pictured: 7814 Neugent Dr, Kernersville ($999,999, 4 bedrooms)
#16. Wake Forest
- Population: 42,111
- Median home value: $297,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,117 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $92,210
- Top public schools: Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (A+), Heritage High School (A)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Wake Forest Pre-K-5 (unavailable), St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School (unavailable), Montessori Children's House of Wake Forest (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1820 Oatlands Ct, Wake Forest ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $297,300 (71% own)
- Median rent: $1,117 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $92,210
- Top public schools: Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (A+), Heritage High School (A)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Wake Forest Pre-K-5 (unavailable), St. Catherine of Siena Catholic School (unavailable), Montessori Children's House of Wake Forest (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1820 Oatlands Ct, Wake Forest ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Best private colleges in North Carolina
#15. Lewisville
- Population: 13,861
- Median home value: $195,400 (86% own)
- Median rent: $863 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $78,464
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (A+), Ronald W. Reagan High School (A), West Forsyth High School (A)
- Top private schools: Forsyth Country Day School (A+)
- Pictured: 9206 Sparrowhawk Ct, Lewisville ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $195,400 (86% own)
- Median rent: $863 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $78,464
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (A+), Ronald W. Reagan High School (A), West Forsyth High School (A)
- Top private schools: Forsyth Country Day School (A+)
- Pictured: 9206 Sparrowhawk Ct, Lewisville ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
#14. Clemmons
- Population: 20,313
- Median home value: $226,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $866 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $70,659
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (A+), West Forsyth High School (A), Southwest Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Montessori School of Winston-Salem (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1185 Tall Tree Rd, Clemmons ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $226,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $866 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $70,659
- Top public schools: Early College of Forsyth (A+), West Forsyth High School (A), Southwest Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Montessori School of Winston-Salem (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1185 Tall Tree Rd, Clemmons ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#13. Cornelius
- Population: 29,256
- Median home value: $322,400 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,219 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $90,542
- Top public schools: William Amos Hough High School (A), Cato Middle College High School (A), Charlotte Engineering Early College (A)
- Top private schools: Grace Covenant Academy (unavailable), Cadence Academy Preschool - Kenton (unavailable), Cornelius KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 18300 Mainsail Pointe Dr, Cornelius ($4.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $322,400 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,219 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $90,542
- Top public schools: William Amos Hough High School (A), Cato Middle College High School (A), Charlotte Engineering Early College (A)
- Top private schools: Grace Covenant Academy (unavailable), Cadence Academy Preschool - Kenton (unavailable), Cornelius KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 18300 Mainsail Pointe Dr, Cornelius ($4.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
#12. Harrisburg
- Population: 15,806
- Median home value: $288,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,634 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $108,942
- Top public schools: Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School (A), J.N. Fries Middle School (A), Harrisburg Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Stafford Road KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2579 Snap Dragon Dr, Harrisburg ($569,900, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $288,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,634 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $108,942
- Top public schools: Cabarrus-Kannapolis Early College High School (A), J.N. Fries Middle School (A), Harrisburg Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Stafford Road KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2579 Snap Dragon Dr, Harrisburg ($569,900, 5 bedrooms)
#11. Holly Springs
- Population: 34,874
- Median home value: $320,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,416 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $112,029
- Top public schools: Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (A+), Apex High School (A)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Holly Springs Pre-K-6 (unavailable), Holly Springs KinderCare (unavailable), Kiddie Academy of Holly Springs (unavailable)
- Pictured: 209 Center Hill Dr # 128, Holly Springs ($936,990, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $320,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,416 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $112,029
- Top public schools: Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Wake Early College of Health & Sciences (A+), Apex High School (A)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Holly Springs Pre-K-6 (unavailable), Holly Springs KinderCare (unavailable), Kiddie Academy of Holly Springs (unavailable)
- Pictured: 209 Center Hill Dr # 128, Holly Springs ($936,990, 5 bedrooms)
You may also like:
Counties receiving the most SBA loans in North Carolina
#10. Chapel Hill
- Population: 60,998
- Median home value: $399,700 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,191 (50% rent)
- Median household income: $73,614
- Top public schools: East Chapel Hill High School (A+), Carrboro High School (A+), Chapel Hill High School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas More Catholic School (unavailable), Montessori Community School (unavailable), Montessori Day School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 24107 Cherry, Chapel Hill ($2.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $399,700 (50% own)
- Median rent: $1,191 (50% rent)
- Median household income: $73,614
- Top public schools: East Chapel Hill High School (A+), Carrboro High School (A+), Chapel Hill High School (A+)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas More Catholic School (unavailable), Montessori Community School (unavailable), Montessori Day School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 24107 Cherry, Chapel Hill ($2.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
#9. Oak Ridge
- Population: 6,901
- Median home value: $383,300 (96% own)
- Median rent: $2,059 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $127,578
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Early College of Forsyth (A+)
- Top private schools: Oak Ridge Military Academy (A)
- Pictured: 6629 Linville Ridge Dr, Oak Ridge ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $383,300 (96% own)
- Median rent: $2,059 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $127,578
- Top public schools: The Early College at Guilford (A+), The STEM Early College at N.C. A&T (A+), Early College of Forsyth (A+)
- Top private schools: Oak Ridge Military Academy (A)
- Pictured: 6629 Linville Ridge Dr, Oak Ridge ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
#8. Carrboro
- Population: 21,230
- Median home value: $368,800 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,078 (57% rent)
- Median household income: $58,702
- Top public schools: East Chapel Hill High School (A+), Carrboro High School (A+), Chapel Hill High School (A+)
- Pictured: 215-G Hillsborough Rd, Carrboro ($850,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $368,800 (43% own)
- Median rent: $1,078 (57% rent)
- Median household income: $58,702
- Top public schools: East Chapel Hill High School (A+), Carrboro High School (A+), Chapel Hill High School (A+)
- Pictured: 215-G Hillsborough Rd, Carrboro ($850,000, 4 bedrooms)
#7. Weddington
- Population: 10,794
- Median home value: $457,900 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,108 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $136,891
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (A+), Weddington High School (A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+)
- Top private schools: Weddington Christian Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: 207 River Birch Ln, Matthews ($2.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $457,900 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,108 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $136,891
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (A+), Weddington High School (A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+)
- Top private schools: Weddington Christian Academy (unavailable)
- Pictured: 207 River Birch Ln, Matthews ($2.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
#6. Biltmore Forest
- Population: 1,473
- Median home value: $910,400 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $180,781
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (A+), T.C. Roberson High School (A), Valley Springs Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Carolina Day School (A+)
- Pictured: 9 Eastwood Rd, Asheville ($4.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $910,400 (91% own)
- Median rent: $1,083 (9% rent)
- Median household income: $180,781
- Top public schools: Martin L. Nesbitt, Jr. Discovery Academy (A+), T.C. Roberson High School (A), Valley Springs Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Carolina Day School (A+)
- Pictured: 9 Eastwood Rd, Asheville ($4.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
You may also like:
How much manufacturers in North Carolina spend on equipment
#5. Marvin
- Population: 6,553
- Median home value: $677,800 (96% own)
- Median rent: $3,364 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $206,469
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (A+), Weddington High School (A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+)
- Pictured: 9819 Chestnut Rd, Marvin ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $677,800 (96% own)
- Median rent: $3,364 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $206,469
- Top public schools: Marvin Ridge High School (A+), Weddington High School (A+), Central Academy of Technology & Arts (A+)
- Pictured: 9819 Chestnut Rd, Marvin ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
#4. Davidson
- Population: 12,735
- Median home value: $448,300 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,264 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $124,853
- Top public schools: Community School of Davidson (A+), Collaborative College for Technology & Leadership (CCTL) (A), William Amos Hough High School (A)
- Top private schools: Davidson Day School (A)
- Pictured: 704 Amalfi Dr, Davidson ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $448,300 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,264 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $124,853
- Top public schools: Community School of Davidson (A+), Collaborative College for Technology & Leadership (CCTL) (A), William Amos Hough High School (A)
- Top private schools: Davidson Day School (A)
- Pictured: 704 Amalfi Dr, Davidson ($1.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
#3. Apex
- Population: 51,370
- Median home value: $327,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,380 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $111,435
- Top public schools: Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Panther Creek High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (A), St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School (unavailable), Thales Academy Apex K-5 (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1013 Olive Chapel Rd, Apex ($1.6 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $327,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,380 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $111,435
- Top public schools: Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Panther Creek High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Thales Academy Apex JH/HS (A), St. Mary Magdalene Catholic School (unavailable), Thales Academy Apex K-5 (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1013 Olive Chapel Rd, Apex ($1.6 million, 4 bedrooms)
#2. Cary
- Population: 166,268
- Median home value: $356,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,246 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $104,669
- Top public schools: Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Panther Creek High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (A+), Cary Christian School (A+), Hopewell Academy (A)
- Pictured: 7905 Emery Gayle Ln, Cary ($2.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $356,400 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,246 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $104,669
- Top public schools: Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Panther Creek High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Cary Academy (A+), Cary Christian School (A+), Hopewell Academy (A)
- Pictured: 7905 Emery Gayle Ln, Cary ($2.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
#1. Morrisville
- Population: 26,280
- Median home value: $331,800 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,398 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $101,738
- Top public schools: Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Panther Creek High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Discovery Child Development Center (unavailable), Kiddie Academy of Morrisville (unavailable), Kids 'R' Kids Academy - Morrisville (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1500 Ferntree Ct, Morrisville ($735,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $331,800 (48% own)
- Median rent: $1,398 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $101,738
- Top public schools: Green Hope High School (A+), Wake NC State University STEM Early College High School (A+), Panther Creek High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Discovery Child Development Center (unavailable), Kiddie Academy of Morrisville (unavailable), Kids 'R' Kids Academy - Morrisville (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1500 Ferntree Ct, Morrisville ($735,900, 4 bedrooms)
You may also like:
How many people are receiving substance use treatment in North Carolina
