Best counties to raise a family in Massachusetts
Best counties to raise a family in Massachusetts
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 wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Massachusetts using 2025 data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, 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.
#13. Franklin County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B-), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 70,922
- Median household income: $72,584
- Median home value: $303,400
- Top places to live: Sunderland (B+), Deerfield (B+), Whately (B+)
#12. Hampden County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B-), cost of living (C+), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 462,853
- Median household income: $70,535
- Median home value: $276,300
- Top places to live: Longmeadow (A), Wilbraham (A), East Longmeadow (A-)
#11. Barnstable County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B+), cost of living (C-), weather (B), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 230,073
- Median household income: $94,452
- Median home value: $575,900
- Top places to live: Woods Hole (A), North Falmouth (A), West Chatham (A)
#10. Bristol County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B), cost of living (C), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 578,436
- Median household income: $84,198
- Median home value: $421,800
- Top places to live: Easton (A-), Mansfield (A-), Seekonk (B+)
#9. Berkshire County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 128,047
- Median household income: $72,565
- Median home value: $283,800
- Top places to live: Williamstown (A+), Lenox (A-), Stockbridge (A-)
#8. Dukes County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (A-), cost of living (C), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 20,751
- Median household income: $102,348
- Median home value: $1,104,100
- Top places to live: Oak Bluffs (A-), Vineyard Haven (B+), Tisbury (B)
#7. Suffolk County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B-), cost of living (C-), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 782,172
- Median household income: $92,859
- Median home value: $680,700
- Top places to live: Back Bay (A+), Fenway (A+), West End (A+)
#6. Hampshire County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B), cost of living (C), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 156,595
- Median household income: $86,391
- Median home value: $363,400
- Top places to live: Pelham (A+), Northampton (A), Hadley (A)
#5. Plymouth County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B), cost of living (C), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 531,889
- Median household income: $109,698
- Median home value: $513,000
- Top places to live: Norwell (A), Duxbury (A), Hingham (A)
#4. Essex County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (B), cost of living (C-), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 807,258
- Median household income: $99,431
- Median home value: $584,000
- Top places to live: Andover (A+), Topsfield (A+), Boxford (A)
#3. Worcester County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (B+), cost of living (C), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 861,664
- Median household income: $93,561
- Median home value: $390,700
- Top places to live: Shrewsbury (A+), Northborough (A+), Southborough (A+)
#2. Middlesex County
- Niche grades: good for families (A+), public schools (A), cost of living (C-), weather (C), outdoor activities (A+)
- Population: 1,622,896
- Median household income: $126,779
- Median home value: $687,200
- Top places to live: Cambridgeport (A+), Riverside (A+), Cambridge (A+)
#1. Norfolk County
- Niche grades: good for families (A+), public schools (A), cost of living (C), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 724,540
- Median household income: $126,497
- Median home value: $649,400
- Top places to live: Brookline (A+), Sharon (A+), Wellesley (A+)
