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Best places to raise a family in Kentucky
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 Kentucky 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.
#25. Cold Spring
- Population: 6,401
- Median home value: $196,200 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,032 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $77,774
- Top public schools: Donald E. Cline Elementary School (A), Campbell County High School (A), John W. Reiley Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 28 Glenridge Dr, Cold Spring ($395,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $196,200 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,032 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $77,774
- Top public schools: Donald E. Cline Elementary School (A), Campbell County High School (A), John W. Reiley Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 28 Glenridge Dr, Cold Spring ($395,000, 4 bedrooms)
#24. Crestview Hills
- Population: 3,300
- Median home value: $215,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,153 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $87,500
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), River Ridge Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 324A Crown Point Cir, Crestview Hills ($700,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $215,400 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,153 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $87,500
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), River Ridge Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 324A Crown Point Cir, Crestview Hills ($700,000, 3 bedrooms)
#23. Hurstbourne Acres
- Population: 2,027
- Median home value: $201,400 (17% own)
- Median rent: $1,028 (83% rent)
- Median household income: $63,240
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 1810 Addington Ave, Louisville ($199,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $201,400 (17% own)
- Median rent: $1,028 (83% rent)
- Median household income: $63,240
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 1810 Addington Ave, Louisville ($199,900, 3 bedrooms)
#22. Lakeside Park
- Population: 2,762
- Median home value: $253,200 (71% own)
- Median rent: $833 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $90,379
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), River Ridge Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Lakeside Presbyterian Kindergarten & Preschool (unavailable)
- Pictured: 34 Buttermilk Pike, Lakeside Park ($949,900, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $253,200 (71% own)
- Median rent: $833 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $90,379
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), River Ridge Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Lakeside Presbyterian Kindergarten & Preschool (unavailable)
- Pictured: 34 Buttermilk Pike, Lakeside Park ($949,900, 5 bedrooms)
#21. Wilder
- Population: 3,088
- Median home value: $140,000 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,070 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $66,190
- Top public schools: Donald E. Cline Elementary School (A), Campbell County High School (A), Crossroads Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: 27 Observatory Pointe Dr, Wilder ($339,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $140,000 (65% own)
- Median rent: $1,070 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $66,190
- Top public schools: Donald E. Cline Elementary School (A), Campbell County High School (A), Crossroads Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: 27 Observatory Pointe Dr, Wilder ($339,900, 3 bedrooms)
#20. Villa Hills
- Population: 7,449
- Median home value: $220,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $933 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $90,929
- Top public schools: River Ridge Elementary School (A-), Dixie Heights High School (B+), Turkey Foot Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: Villa Madonna Academy (A+)
- Pictured: 2668 Buckeye Ct, Villa Hills ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $220,200 (89% own)
- Median rent: $933 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $90,929
- Top public schools: River Ridge Elementary School (A-), Dixie Heights High School (B+), Turkey Foot Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: Villa Madonna Academy (A+)
- Pictured: 2668 Buckeye Ct, Villa Hills ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#19. Barbourmeade
- Population: 1,393
- Median home value: $288,000 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,200 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $101,250
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 8118 Oldgate Rd, Louisville ($389,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $288,000 (95% own)
- Median rent: $2,200 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $101,250
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 8118 Oldgate Rd, Louisville ($389,900, 4 bedrooms)
#18. Fort Wright
- Population: 5,745
- Median home value: $201,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $879 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $85,794
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Agnes School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1713 Fort Henry Dr, Fort Wright ($325,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $201,900 (70% own)
- Median rent: $879 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $85,794
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. Agnes School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1713 Fort Henry Dr, Fort Wright ($325,000, 4 bedrooms)
#17. Windy Hills
- Population: 2,433
- Median home value: $271,500 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,542 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $95,588
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 1202 Wellington Pl, Louisville ($464,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $271,500 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,542 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $95,588
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 1202 Wellington Pl, Louisville ($464,900, 3 bedrooms)
#16. Edgewood
- Population: 8,745
- Median home value: $225,600 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,166 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $104,912
- Top public schools: R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School (A-), Dixie Heights High School (B+), Ft. Wright Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Pius X. Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 3057 Friars Ln, Edgewood ($795,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $225,600 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,166 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $104,912
- Top public schools: R.C. Hinsdale Elementary School (A-), Dixie Heights High School (B+), Ft. Wright Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Pius X. Elementary School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 3057 Friars Ln, Edgewood ($795,000, 5 bedrooms)
#15. Wilmore
- Population: 6,335
- Median home value: $170,800 (48% own)
- Median rent: $718 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $50,662
- Top public schools: West Jessamine High School (B+), West Jessamine Middle School (B+), Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School (B)
- Pictured: 122 Grandview Trl, Wilmore ($699,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $170,800 (48% own)
- Median rent: $718 (52% rent)
- Median household income: $50,662
- Top public schools: West Jessamine High School (B+), West Jessamine Middle School (B+), Rosenwald Dunbar Elementary School (B)
- Pictured: 122 Grandview Trl, Wilmore ($699,900, 3 bedrooms)
#14. Orchard Grass Hills
- Population: 1,781
- Median home value: $200,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,432 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $90,227
- Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (A), South Oldham Middle School (A), South Oldham High School (A)
- Top private schools: Cadence Academy Preschool - Crestwood (unavailable)
- Pictured: 9501 Poplar Hill Dr, Crestwood ($339,900, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $200,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,432 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $90,227
- Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (A), South Oldham Middle School (A), South Oldham High School (A)
- Top private schools: Cadence Academy Preschool - Crestwood (unavailable)
- Pictured: 9501 Poplar Hill Dr, Crestwood ($339,900, 4 bedrooms)
#13. Francisville
- Population: 9,387
- Median home value: $281,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,190 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $124,648
- Top public schools: Thornwilde Elementary School (A-), Conner Middle School (A-), Conner High School (B+)
- Pictured: 2412 Cooper Ridge Ct, Hebron ($1.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $281,200 (88% own)
- Median rent: $1,190 (12% rent)
- Median household income: $124,648
- Top public schools: Thornwilde Elementary School (A-), Conner Middle School (A-), Conner High School (B+)
- Pictured: 2412 Cooper Ridge Ct, Hebron ($1.1 million, 4 bedrooms)
#12. Crescent Springs
- Population: 4,036
- Median home value: $220,500 (57% own)
- Median rent: $729 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $70,414
- Top public schools: River Ridge Elementary School (A-), Dixie Heights High School (B+), Turkey Foot Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph School (unavailable), Northern Kentucky Montessori Academy (unavailable), Crescent Springs KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2452 Sierra Dr, Crescent Springs ($613,265, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $220,500 (57% own)
- Median rent: $729 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $70,414
- Top public schools: River Ridge Elementary School (A-), Dixie Heights High School (B+), Turkey Foot Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph School (unavailable), Northern Kentucky Montessori Academy (unavailable), Crescent Springs KinderCare (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2452 Sierra Dr, Crescent Springs ($613,265, 4 bedrooms)
#11. Plano
- Population: 1,348
- Median home value: $147,900 (98% own)
- Median rent: $1,053 (2% rent)
- Median household income: $85,094
- Top public schools: South Warren Middle School (A), Plano Elementary School (A-), Rivendell Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: 261 Lamplighter Dr, Bowling Green ($234,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $147,900 (98% own)
- Median rent: $1,053 (2% rent)
- Median household income: $85,094
- Top public schools: South Warren Middle School (A), Plano Elementary School (A-), Rivendell Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: 261 Lamplighter Dr, Bowling Green ($234,900, 3 bedrooms)
#10. Hurstbourne
- Population: 4,394
- Median home value: $421,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,288 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $123,521
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Top private schools: Our Savior Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1301 Oxmoor Woods Pkwy, Louisville ($629,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $421,000 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,288 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $123,521
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Top private schools: Our Savior Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1301 Oxmoor Woods Pkwy, Louisville ($629,000, 4 bedrooms)
#9. Fort Mitchell
- Population: 8,257
- Median home value: $272,200 (52% own)
- Median rent: $789 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $67,745
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), River Ridge Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Blessed Sacrament Elementary School (unavailable), The Goddard School (unavailable), Guardian Angel School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 265 Beechwood Rd, Fort Mitchell ($469,900, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $272,200 (52% own)
- Median rent: $789 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $67,745
- Top public schools: Beechwood High School (A), Beechwood Elementary School (A), River Ridge Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Blessed Sacrament Elementary School (unavailable), The Goddard School (unavailable), Guardian Angel School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 265 Beechwood Rd, Fort Mitchell ($469,900, 5 bedrooms)
#8. Pewee Valley
- Population: 1,592
- Median home value: $386,800 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,167 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $117,885
- Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (A), South Oldham Middle School (A), South Oldham High School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Aloysius School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 110 Old Forest Rd, Pewee Valley ($925,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $386,800 (92% own)
- Median rent: $1,167 (8% rent)
- Median household income: $117,885
- Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (A), South Oldham Middle School (A), South Oldham High School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Aloysius School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 110 Old Forest Rd, Pewee Valley ($925,000, 3 bedrooms)
#7. Prospect
- Population: 4,896
- Median home value: $388,300 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,140 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $145,511
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), North Oldham High School (A), J. Graham Brown School (A)
- Pictured: 14411 River Glades Ln, Prospect ($3.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $388,300 (95% own)
- Median rent: $1,140 (5% rent)
- Median household income: $145,511
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), North Oldham High School (A), J. Graham Brown School (A)
- Pictured: 14411 River Glades Ln, Prospect ($3.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
#6. Northfield
- Population: 1,181
- Median home value: $391,700 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,154 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $108,056
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 6100 Stannye Dr, Louisville ($629,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $391,700 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,154 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $108,056
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 6100 Stannye Dr, Louisville ($629,000, 4 bedrooms)
#5. Crestwood
- Population: 4,973
- Median home value: $277,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $872 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $104,457
- Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (A), South Oldham Middle School (A), South Oldham High School (A)
- Pictured: 7379 Grand Oaks Dr, Crestwood ($849,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $277,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $872 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $104,457
- Top public schools: Kenwood Station Elementary School (A), South Oldham Middle School (A), South Oldham High School (A)
- Pictured: 7379 Grand Oaks Dr, Crestwood ($849,000, 5 bedrooms)
#4. Indian Hills
- Population: 2,961
- Median home value: $529,000 (100% own)
- Median rent: No data available (0% rent)
- Median household income: $190,313
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 23 River Hill Rd, Louisville ($1.4 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $529,000 (100% own)
- Median rent: No data available (0% rent)
- Median household income: $190,313
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A), Louisville Male High School (A)
- Pictured: 23 River Hill Rd, Louisville ($1.4 million, 3 bedrooms)
#3. Union
- Population: 5,910
- Median home value: $263,200 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,814 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $125,051
- Top public schools: Randall K. Cooper High School (A), Larry A. Ryle High School (A), Erpenbeck Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 10858 Pleasant Colony Dr, Union ($999,000, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $263,200 (94% own)
- Median rent: $1,814 (6% rent)
- Median household income: $125,051
- Top public schools: Randall K. Cooper High School (A), Larry A. Ryle High School (A), Erpenbeck Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 10858 Pleasant Colony Dr, Union ($999,000, 6 bedrooms)
#2. Fort Thomas
- Population: 16,308
- Median home value: $227,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $907 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $78,972
- Top public schools: Highlands High School (A+), Woodfill Elementary School (A+), Highlands Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1 Highland Ave Unit 201, Fort Thomas ($1.1 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $227,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $907 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $78,972
- Top public schools: Highlands High School (A+), Woodfill Elementary School (A+), Highlands Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Thomas School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 1 Highland Ave Unit 201, Fort Thomas ($1.1 million, 2 bedrooms)
#1. Anchorage
- Population: 2,376
- Median home value: $715,000 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,163 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $187,946
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), Anchorage Independent Public School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A)
- Pictured: 2001 Homewood Dr, Anchorage ($2.7 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $715,000 (96% own)
- Median rent: $1,163 (4% rent)
- Median household income: $187,946
- Top public schools: DuPont Manual High School (A+), Anchorage Independent Public School (A+), J. Graham Brown School (A)
- Pictured: 2001 Homewood Dr, Anchorage ($2.7 million, 6 bedrooms)
