(WTRF) — Raising a family in today’s economy and social climate can be challenging. Families must prioritize community, affordability, and quality of life, making it crucial to find the best place to raise children.
A recent study by SmartAsset has taken some of the guesswork out of deciding where to find the best place to raise a family.
The study examined four key categories: housing affordability, academic performance of students, availability of recreation and community centers per 1,000 residents, and childcare costs.
To determine housing affordability, SmartAsset analyzed changes in housing prices over five years in each county.
School performance was evaluated by reviewing standardized test scores in math and reading/language arts proficiency.
An average score was calculated for each school district, weighted by the number of students in each district. Every county was then assigned a score between 1 and 10, with 10 being the best, based on these average scores.
The study also evaluated the number of recreation and community centers available per 1,000 residents in each location, as well as the average cost of childcare per county.
Based on these criteria, two counties in the Northern Panhandle have ranked among the top five best places to raise a family.
In fifth place, Ohio County has seen a 23.8% change in home values, a school rating of 7.7, 0.78 recreation centers per 1,000 residents, and an average childcare cost of $146. In terms of categories, Ohio County ranks second in the state for recreation centers per 1,000 residents and fifth in school ratings.
Hancock County is ranked fourth, with a 40.7% change in home values, a school rating of 7.4, 0.76 recreation centers per 1,000 residents, and an average childcare cost of $141. Hancock County ranks third in the state for recreation centers per 1,000 residents and sixth for school ratings.