2021 Best Counties for Families in PennsylvaniaAbout this List

Explore the best counties to raise a family based on public schools, cost of living, and family-friendly amenities. Ranking based on data from the U.S. Census, BLS, CDC, and other data sources. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

Best for Families

66 results

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Montgomery County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.68 out of 5 31 reviews
#1 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I moved a year ago to Montgomery county and I like it a lot. There are a lot of public transportations which makes moving around a lot easier. I feel somewhat safe in this neighborhood. I work nearby and enjoy the fact that things are not far away from each other. There are a lot of variety of grocery shopping types. There is giant, acme, Whole Foods... many different shopping places too such as mall and boutiques. Nightlife is all right because there are several restaurants that are open late and beautiful small pubs and bars to go to. It is somewhat quite at night and safe. The county is kept pretty and clean. Lots of green areas and very dog friendly. Many habitations are houses that are expensive but beautiful m. There are some affordable apartments to live in that accept animals so that makes it easy if you have a pet. There are several job opportunities with decent pay. But nothing major as in different career fields. Overall I enjoy living here and I will probably keep being
Read 31 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
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Good for Families
823,823 Population
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Chester County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.52 out of 5 29 reviews
#2 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I have grown up in Chester County, and everyone here is caring, affectionate, and supportive! I wouldn't change a thing about it.
Read 29 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
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Good for Families
519,560 Population
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Delaware County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.8 out of 5 40 reviews
#3 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Growing up in Delaware County, I always loved the scenery. The green fields, rolling hills, and many towns with lots of friendly people. Overall, I think Delaware County is a wonderful place to start a family, it has many nice houses and stores that are too far a of a drive away. However, a lot has changed over the years. There are more and more houses being built and things are becoming more expensive but Delaware County still has it's wonderful community parks and events that bring people together. For example every year my local township, Concord Township, always hosts a free community event at the local park. Families all gather to see sponsored food venues in the area, children get face paintings and enjoy the various activities that are there. At the end of the night they always have a fire work show, which was always my favorite part when I went as a kid. Although Delaware County is not perfect I would say that it is full of great communities with great people.
Read 40 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
Public Schools
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Good for Families
564,554 Population
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Bucks County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.24 out of 5 55 reviews
#4 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Bucks County is a great place to live and raise your children at! There are nice parks with a large hiking trails, traffic is basically non-existent and there are many places to shop for groceries and clothes along street road. Overall the school district is great with many options for AP credit courses in Bensalem.
Read 55 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
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Good for Families
626,806 Population
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Allegheny County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.55 out of 5 44 reviews
#5 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I love living in Allegheny county! There’s an abundance of shops and restaurants, everything is close. And only 20 minutes out from the city of Pittsburgh! With very little crime rate, and friendly people, what’s there more to offer!
Read 44 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
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grade A+
Good for Families
1,221,744 Population
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Lehigh County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.13 out of 5 8 reviews
#6 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Lehigh county is a beautiful area with both country and the city scenery. You can buy homemade honey from your local farmers street stand but also get a New York style bagel a little further up the street. You get to experience the best of both worlds in my opinion. Our schools vary from a variety of accredited universities along with more affordable community colleges as well. There are many outside activities to do during all four seasons which is a plus for out of town visitors and even local residents. Night life for the young adults is even rockin'!
Read 8 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade A+
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Good for Families
365,052 Population
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Cumberland County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.5 out of 5 2 reviews
#7 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: People seem well-adjusted, friendly and easy to work with. The overall vibe to the county is one that suits me well.
Read 2 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade A
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Good for Families
249,328 Population
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Lancaster County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.36 out of 5 174 reviews
#8 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Within a short drive time, you could be in downtown Lancaster exploring the impressive art district then be buying fresh produce at an Amish farm market all in one morning. The ability to have both a city vibe plus open air space in the same town is what gives this location its charm. Have lunch with friends at a trendy bistro or go apple picking with family...the combination of options is limitless. How about taking a tube down one of the local lazy rivers? Spend time touring a parade of homes throughout the county. A safe, reliable & progressive area- a true gem!
Read 174 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade A minus
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Good for Families
540,999 Population
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Dauphin County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.07 out of 5 14 reviews
#9 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: The atmosphere suits quite well to its mostly suburban environment. There is a sense of community, and quite keen in friendliness. Some areas may need an improvement externally, such as the roads, bridges, and highways through remedies like fixing the potholes, cleaning litter, etc. A stellar county in all.
Read 14 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade B+
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grade A
Good for Families
275,632 Population
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Centre County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.43 out of 5 7 reviews
#10 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Niche User: Centre County is an amazing town! It is a safe area with many work, dining, and social opportunities.
Read 7 Reviews
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Good for Families
161,960 Population
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Lackawanna County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 5 out of 5 1 review
#11 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I have moved to Lackawanna County from Las Vegas, Nevada and I love it here. I feel safe its very family friendly. A place you would truly want to want to raise your family.
Read 1 Review
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grade A minus
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Good for Families
210,652 Population
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Erie County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.79 out of 5 53 reviews
#12 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Former Resident: Erie county is a great place to raise your family. There’s a perfect balance for choices of public and private schools. We also have top notch colleges right in our backyards. There are lots of attractions all year round. Summer season, you can enjoy the beach, amusement park and community fairs. Winter season, you can sled ride, ski and snowmobile. The Fall is the best! You get to enjoy all the gorgeous colors of fall and don’t forget all the Pumpkins!
Read 53 Reviews
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grade A minus
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Good for Families
273,835 Population
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Montour County
County in Pennsylvania
#13 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
grade A minus
Overall Niche Grade
grade A
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Good for Families
18,259 Population
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Butler County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.8 out of 5 25 reviews
#14 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I have lived in Butler County all my life so I tend to like it here. There are activities for all ages and there is a wide range of shopping to do. My high school was not the greatest but I managed! The things I like in Butler County include going to the movies and going bowling! There are really good restaurants in Cranberry Township, within Butler County. If I could change anything, it would be to for houses in Center Township (a very nice neighborhood in Butler) to be a little cheaper since I am going to be in the market of finding a small home in the next few years!
Read 25 Reviews
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grade B+
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Good for Families
186,899 Population
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York County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.61 out of 5 109 reviews
#15 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Being that I'm from York, born and raised I have witnessed a lot of change over the years. York continues to grow within its communities, schools- both pubic and private and residential areas. The community in the city is tight knit as York is small compared to other cities close to it and people are caring when family or friends are affected by potential crime, change in the community or as of lately Covid-19. There is a willingness to assist those in need which is very noticeable as many Facebook groups in the area share important information that range from food, shelter and even items that could be useful for their home. Overall, York is a nice area to live in and raise your children in especially if a small area fits who you are as an individual.
Read 109 Reviews
grade B+
Overall Niche Grade
grade A minus
Public Schools
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Good for Families
445,565 Population
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Northampton County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.5 out of 5 16 reviews
#16 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I loved growing up and living in Northampton County. Specifically, I lived in Bethlehem, and have grown to appreciate it more and more as I have grown up, and moved away for college. The entire county has such great diversity, which is what I appreciate the most. Going to a large public high school prepared me immensely for the world for once I left. Pennsylvania is a great state, and I believe that although our area is sometimes referred to as "a suburb of nowhere"... I believe that it is an amazing and autonomous oasis of diversity, great schools, booming real estate, and plenty of career opportunities.
Read 16 Reviews
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Good for Families
302,809 Population
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Westmoreland County
County in Pennsylvania
#17 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
grade B+
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Good for Families
352,590 Population
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Berks County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.55 out of 5 11 reviews
#18 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Berks County is an interesting area. The culture is diverse, ranging from Pennse Dutch villages to Reading, so if you enjoy the historic traditions of the township residents or if you like more of vibrant city life, Berks has it all.
Read 11 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
grade B
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Good for Families
418,025 Population
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Union County
County in Pennsylvania
#19 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
grade B+
Overall Niche Grade
grade B+
Public Schools
grade B+
Good for Families
45,111 Population
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Beaver County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.81 out of 5 21 reviews
#20 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I feel blessed to have grown up in Beaver County. This is the place where neighbors are very proactive in each others lives and enjoy the time and activities they share with other Beaver County residents. The public schools here are very competitive and superior to other neighboring counties. This is a close-knit town where you are bound to see a friend, family member, teacher, or even coworker walking down the street. Parents have little to no worries letting their kids stay out late, or bicycle to their friends house because the safety here is impeccable. Beaver County is rooted in traditional values that allows the relationships of residents to be strong and prosperous.
Read 21 Reviews
grade B+
Overall Niche Grade
grade B+
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Good for Families
165,833 Population
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Monroe County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4 out of 5 12 reviews
#21 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Monroe County is a pretty good place to live, but the property taxes are a bit steep. There is plenty of nature. Forests, hiking trails, and many other outdoor opportunities await you here. There are great, wonderful, kind people here but there is also an undercurrent of racism that is rather sickening. It is good and bad in any place that you live in. The good generally outweighs the bad here. Health care access is more plentiful than it used to be. The same goes for ease of access to grocery and convenience stores.
Read 12 Reviews
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Overall Niche Grade
grade B
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Good for Families
168,032 Population
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Pike County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.89 out of 5 9 reviews
#22 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I love Pike County because of all the beautiful land and the fresh air! Great for people who would like to enjoy a nice view and time. I rate it 4/5 because everything is beautiful to see and many tourist attractions that we have here! One star was lost because of how you must drive for a while because the stores are farther apart form each other. Overall, it is a great getaway place to be and live in!
Read 9 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
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Public Schools
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Good for Families
55,453 Population
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Washington County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.45 out of 5 31 reviews
#23 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: I like how close it is. I also like how friendly everyone is. Everybody is a family. We are a community. If you need help, someone is always there for you. Their schools are good too. They have great football and basketball team. Everyone knows everyone.
Read 31 Reviews
grade B+
Overall Niche Grade
grade B
Public Schools
grade B+
Good for Families
207,212 Population
View Nearby Homes
Mercer County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 4.43 out of 5 7 reviews
#24 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: Mercer County is a great county with a lot to offer for the very affordable cost of living. The schools are phenomenal, the people are great, there are a lot of parks and lakes, the housing is nice, there is plenty of trade in Mercer, Grove City, Sharon/Hermitage, and Greenville. It is in a great location near the Ohio Line and is located directly between Pittsburgh and Erie. There are also a lot of churches and it is great for families!
Read 7 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
grade B
Public Schools
grade B+
Good for Families
111,518 Population
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Lebanon County
County in Pennsylvania
Rating 3.48 out of 5 25 reviews
#25 Best Counties for Families in Pennsylvania
Current Resident: One thing I notice about Lebanon county is the culture. This county has both city and rural cultures set side by side like a patchwork of farmers, bankers, business people, and smallholders. This area is rich in diversity and opportunities and it isn't uncommon to see horse-drawn buggies traveling the same roads as the semi-trailers and cars.
Read 25 Reviews
grade B
Overall Niche Grade
grade B
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grade B+
Good for Families
139,729 Population
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Nazareth Academy Grade School
Private School
Philadelphia, PA
1-8
Rating 4.84 out of 5 38 reviews
Parent: Our daughter transferred into Nazareth and it was the best decision we made. The teachers and academics challenged her to be better prepared for high school and the confidence she built within herself has been priceless as she has now graduated college and started her first job. She continues to be supported by the NAGS community and returns each year to sponsor a scholarship for kids, like herself, who built believed in themselves as a result of their involvement in the arts at Nazareth!
Read 38 Reviews
grade A+
Overall Niche Grade
191 Students
13:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Ideaventions Academy for Math and Science
Private School
Reston, VA
4-12
63 Students
4:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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Commonwealth Academy
Private School
Alexandria, VA
3-12
Rating 4.2 out of 5 10 reviews
Parent: Commonwealth Academy is above and beyond what anyone could possibly imagine for their child. We needed to find a small, specialized school so that our daughter could thrive and succeed. It was a thrill to find such an inclusive atmosphere filled with dedicated administrators and teachers. My daughter has an anxiety disorder and OCD. Every single teacher CARES. The combination of education, creativity and fun that they have created is unmatched. The classrooms are small and kids with every learning difference are treated with respect and patience. Without the chaos and fear of a big school, our daughter got past the nerves that held her back and learned to speak to adults and advocate for herself. She had warm and nurturing advisors who saw her potential and appreciated her strengths - they gave her CONFIDENCE. The education and unparalleled college prep she received from C/A is why she's thriving in college today, and why our younger daughter is now a C/A student.
Read 10 Reviews
grade A
Overall Niche Grade
150 Students
5:1 Student-Teacher Ratio
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