2023 Best Counties for Families in North Carolina

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  51 reviews

Current Resident: This is a rapidly growing community with plenty of fun, safe opportunities to explore! There are parks, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, churches, community events, and much more. It is a short distance from Raliegh and Durham but is still small-town living. There is a perfect harmony of activities for all ages, cultures, and backgrounds. It is home to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and very close to Wake Technical Community College, NC State, and UNC-Chapel Hill. There are four moderate seasons to enjoy as well as relative close proximity to the NC mountains and beaches. From a small coffee shop to big city living, Wake County has it all.... Read 51 reviews

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• Population 1,112,883

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  Rating 3.97 out of 5  29 reviews

Current Resident: I first visited Mecklenburg County when I came to Charlotte for a summer enrichment program for Wake Forest. It was a great introduction to the city. I visited Nascar and the White Water Center. My mom took a different job with her company and moved to Charlotte in 2021. There are a ton of things for young people to do. You have Carowinds (Six Flags), Optimist Hall to try Charlotte's favorite restaurants, No Da, Plaza Midwood and Camp North End just to name a few. You can't go wrong with Freedom Park and many other parks in the area. You have a wide array of gyms and outdoor clubs to join. This area is great and continues to grow providing more jobs and things to do. The sky is the limit.... Read 29 reviews

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• Population 1,100,984

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Great school system. My mom works for the county and loves it! We moved from Charlotte just to be in this County.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 221,200

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  8 reviews

Current Resident: I'm originally from New Jersey so moving to Orange county was definitely a culture shock, but I really enjoy it here. People are neighborly and the environment just always feels comfortable. What I enjoy most is looking out my window at the runners and walkers and dog walkers! I feel like I'm in a movie.... Read 8 reviews

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• Population 147,376

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  Rating 3.88 out of 5  16 reviews

Current Resident: Union County is a tiny yet accepting community. While it's not busy like big cities, it's very mellow and calming, with many opportunities to explore. Spending the majority of my life here, I have experienced North Carolina at its finest and have been gifted many opportunities and open doors in my life here.... Read 16 reviews

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• Population 235,699

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  Rating 4 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: The people are overall nice, and I enjoy the opportunities that are given. There are more than enough places to experience. People are ever so changing, and we are ever so growing.... Read 17 reviews

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• Population 537,113

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: I like and love everything of Forsyth County. The people are very respectful and understand. They also are very comprehensive and like ti help others.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 380,583

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: Chatham county is a rural but quickly up and coming part of North Carolina. There is a significant amount of suburban life, as seen in neighborhoods such as the Legacy, the Preserve, Briar Chapel, the Governor's Club, and more. There are plenty of good places to eat and shop. Another apparent aspect of this county is its rural culture. Right outside of suburbia, meadows, forests, and farms spread across the land. A good part of this county embodies the essence of small town America. Pittsboro is a lovely little artsy town with cute shops, a hair salon, and a diner with town hall in the center.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 75,070

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  Rating 5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: It is a nice quiet community with lots of places to go eat, but not that much entertainment unless you really like golf.... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 98,618

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  Rating 3.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Nice little county on the beach, good people and good public schools... On negatives are the traffic, taxes and job availablility... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 225,175

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.99 out of 5  103 reviews

Current Resident: Overall, I enjoy living in Durham the hospitality is like no other it's like one big family; everyone looks out for one another and are very helpful, and caring; Of course there are accidents and violence in some parts but what other place doesn't go through similar things we aren't all perfect, but you can be perfectly at home living in Durham.... Read 103 reviews

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• Population 320,146

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 5 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: The county has attentiveness to the local needs, providing enrichment activities and services that are essential or recreational. The natural beauty of this area is retained while also the development for convenience is well balanced.... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 183,965

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  Rating 3.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: I moved to Buncombe county from Greenville County, SC this past year. The school system in better. The downtown area is bad for "family friendly" because of the people. I miss downtown Greenville! ... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 266,981

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  Rating 4.29 out of 5  14 reviews

Current Resident: Big enough to have major shopping and health care, but small enough that there’s no traffic, good quality of life. As other racers have mentioned, you can know your kids teachers, principals and even the superintendent. Lenior Rhyne university in downtown Hickory’s a real jewel with a beautiful campus and high quality liberal arts education. Catawba valley medical center and Duke life point hospitals (yes, there are two hospitals) are exceptional in a variety of care offerings. World class companies are headquartered in the county (CommScope, Corning Cable Systems, Lowe’s foods, Transportation Insight). I can go from my office to Panthers game or a fantastic trout stream in less than hour. Life is good!... Read 14 reviews

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• Population 159,852

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  Rating 3 out of 5  1 review

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• Population 14,166

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 3.43 out of 5  7 reviews

Current Resident: I liked how open it is. I do not enjoy that it is becoming a busier and busier county. There is a good connection in the community.... Read 7 reviews

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• Population 211,320

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  Rating 3.59 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: If there could be more bus stops through out Fayetteville, it will feel more city-like. Other than that, it is really great!... Read 17 reviews

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• Population 333,582

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  Rating 4.17 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: I personally love living in Polk County. We do not have much to offer being that we are a small town, but its a very peaceful place. The people are friendly, almost everyone knows everyone and it will always be a great place to call home.... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 19,413

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  Rating 3.92 out of 5  12 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Hendersonville. Cute, quaint and down to earth. It is very affordable with a small town vibe. I specifically love being so close to nature. My home is a ten minute drive from a state park, which I go to frequently. We are very close to all kinds of recreation! Kayaking, mountain biking, horseback riding, you name it! Our downtown area is very cute and we have the best apple festival in the country!... Read 12 reviews

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• Population 115,613

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  Rating 3.67 out of 5  6 reviews

Current Resident: A college town, there are parts of the city that reflect that but there are more generally family-friendly parts of the city as well. ECU sometimes has a party reputation but they also have a good education program and this is reflected across the community.... Read 6 reviews

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• Population 170,600

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.5 out of 5  2 reviews

Current Resident: People are very polite, there’s a strong preference for locals I noticed at the post office. Reasonably priced organic food, overall good drivers. Christian churches are everywhere if you enjoy worshipping there. It’s also very nice to see university youth walking in safety throughout Boone. There is noticeable poverty but that is everywhere.... Read 2 reviews

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• Population 54,077

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4 out of 5  2 reviews

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• Population 71,439

• County in North Carolina

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  Rating 4.13 out of 5  15 reviews

Current Resident: Living in Lincoln County is such a wholesome and comfortable area to live in. It is a small town in which neighbors smile to one another and wish another a good day. The citizens in this town demonstrate a lot of southern hospitality which may be rare to find in other locations and we have a lot of small businesses ran by our home town locals that make one feel that we are attributing to our society. What I would like to see more is more adequate funding for schools and education. Unfortunately, with budget costs the schools have suffered the impact of it but hopefully with time it will improve.... Read 15 reviews

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• Population 85,670

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  Rating 3 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Sampson County is the largest county in the state of North Carolina but seems to be the most peaceful regardless of it's size. I was born and grew up in Sampson and I have loved the time here, having small communities in the county, it is easy to meet people who you will later interact with. With more jobs opening up in Sampson County it'll soon become more populated. I would love to see Sampson County become a more industrialized area rather than the farming community it is. With advances in technology and science, Sampson County could adopt habits that'll benefit the community as a whole.... Read 5 reviews

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• Population 59,468

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  Rating 3 out of 5  3 reviews

Current Resident: I love my hometown! I am from a small county in North Carolina. The way that I was grown up was to love and care for all people, no matter what the circumstances. As I am growing older I am realizing what makes this county so great. It is not the amazing sunsets or awesome high school football games, but it's the people. It's the people in this county that are willing to give their jacket to the poor, it's the people who are not afraid to step out of their comfort zones to help their neighbor out in times of need. The people in our community keep us strong and hold us together. If one of us goes down, we all come running to see how we can help. If one of us achieves something big, we all celebrate! I am forever grateful for the community that I was blessed to grow up in and I can't wait to raise a family of my own here!... Read 3 reviews

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• Population 42,543