Best counties to raise a family in Rhode Island
Best counties to raise a family in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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.
#5. Providence County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B-), cost of living (C), weather (C), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 658,977
- Median household income: $78,204
- Median home value: $339,100
- Top places to live: Hope (A), Cumberland Hill (A), Lincoln (A)
#4. Kent County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B+), cost of living (C+), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 170,658
- Median household income: $91,278
- Median home value: $333,900
- Top places to live: East Greenwich (A+), West Greenwich (B+), Warwick (B+)
#3. Newport County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (A-), cost of living (C), weather (B-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 85,095
- Median household income: $100,859
- Median home value: $559,700
- Top places to live: Jamestown (A), Portsmouth (A), Middletown (A-)
#2. Washington County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (A), cost of living (C+), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 130,073
- Median household income: $102,478
- Median home value: $469,800
- Top places to live: North Kingstown (A), South Kingstown (A), Narragansett (A)
#1. Bristol County
- Niche grades: good for families (A+), public schools (A), cost of living (C), weather (C+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 50,568
- Median household income: $110,926
- Median home value: $468,000
- Top places to live: Barrington (A+), Bristol (A-), Warren (B+)
