2021 Best Places to Raise a Family in Indiana

Carmel

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 4.3 out of 5  277 reviews

Current Resident: We moved to Carmel from the northeast, and at the time I was wary of moving to Indiana - a state I knew nothing about other than farms. Boy, was I wrong. Carmel is beautiful- sophisticated, charming, kind, innovative and stocked with families all working to create a beautiful life for their kids and themselves. Infrastructure is top notch and well-planned, the homes and neighborhoods are gorgeous and affordable, the area is filled with good, high-paying jobs, the public school facilities are amazing, and quality of teaching and programs offered - both public and community programs- are outstanding. Like another poster said, come visit- you will be amazed! I’ve met so many transplants, and some who moved just after seeing Carmel during a visit with friends. I can’t imagine another city offering the quality of life we have in Carmel, we are so grateful to live here. This city is the poster child of forward-thinking leadership as well as listening to what it’s residents want.
Read 277 Reviews

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• 97,464 Population

Fishers

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.11 out of 5  382 reviews

Current Resident: I’ve lived in Fishers my whole life. It’s a very neat little community and I love it with all my heart. The people are very friendly and there are a lot of job opportunities in the restaurant and business industries. Construction and improvements are being made often to make Fishers a better community in which to live and work. The downtown area is a short walk away from most neighborhoods, and it’s only a short drive to Indianapolis. I would really recommend it to anyone looking for a place to crash for the weekend or to live in after retirement. It’s just a really great community!
Read 382 Reviews

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• 90,332 Population

Zionsville

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.15 out of 5  138 reviews

Current Resident: I like Zionsville's family friendly atmosphere as well as the great schooling system in town. The high school does a great job in preparing young adults for their college lives and classwork. There are a lot of parks and open areas to exercise and the people are relatively friendly. I think more shops and places to eat in Zionsville would reduce the distance needed to travel for these things, however, I do like the fact that Zionsville is somewhat isolated from the busier atmosphere that Indianapolis brings.
Read 138 Reviews

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• 27,463 Population

Granger

• Suburb of South Bend, IN
• Rating 3.72 out of 5  145 reviews

Current Resident: This is a bedroom community for the upper middle class in the South Bend area. Low crime, excellent schools. Drive outside Granger for shopping and work. Developments keep the poor people out and property values high by not allowing renting of property. Many people bring their kids to my development to trick-or-treat because they see it as safer than their own neighborhoods. I see that as a compliment and welcome them!
Read 145 Reviews

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• 30,776 Population

Westfield

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.14 out of 5  108 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Westfield for 17 years. It has been a wonderful place to raise children. The schools are great, the area is safe and convenient to everything!
Read 108 Reviews

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• 39,610 Population

Meridian Hills

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.33 out of 5  3 reviews

Former Resident: great place to raise a family, close to work and main highways. Allow for transportation to all areas of greater Indianapolis
Read 3 Reviews

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• 1,741 Population

Munster

• Suburb in Indiana
• Rating 4.05 out of 5  100 reviews

Current Resident: Munster is a super-family-friendly town! The school district is A rated. It has a great feeling of community and residents are helpful. There's always someone walking, running, or biking on the many trails we have. Every police officer I've encountered have been friendly. It's a safe town and residents make sure to keep it that way. It's multi-cultural.
Read 100 Reviews

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• 22,689 Population

Devon

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 3,831 Population

Delaware Trails

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 9,111 Population

McCordsville

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.19 out of 5  27 reviews

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• 6,857 Population

Brownsburg

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 3.94 out of 5  115 reviews

Current Resident: I have lived in Brownsburg my entire life. I am now married and have a two year old and I do not see us ever leaving. We are out in the country part of town so it is not too crazy out here but we are close enough that we can run into town whenever we need to. They have a wonderful school corporation and it is turning into a very diverse community which I believe is very important in raising a well rounded and respectful child. I would recommend the town of Brownsburg to anyone and everyone, especially if you have children and are wanting a great school corporation!
Read 115 Reviews

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• 26,046 Population

Allisonville

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 14,124 Population

Noblesville

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.07 out of 5  198 reviews

Current Resident: Noblesville is a great city. I moved here in 2017 to get away from the chaos in Indianapolis. It is just close enough to the city. Great neighbors and all all around people. The schools are great! The community comes together during a crisis, such as covid-19. Itown church is right next door , in Fisher's and that place has changed my life. The only thing i would like to see, is assistance for those who are being released from work release or those with felonys. I work with those in addictions and there is a strong recovery community in Noblesville but not many places offer a second chance for those trying to better their lives.
Read 198 Reviews

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• 63,071 Population

Avon

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.08 out of 5  120 reviews

Current Resident: I love living in Avon, IN. It’s a short drive to get to downtown but still has a small town feel to it. I am not a native to Indiana but everyone here in Avon has been extremely friendly and take pride in their town. All of the shops you need are located in town which is awesome! My only complaint is that there is only one main road which can become pretty backed up during rush hour.
Read 120 Reviews

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• 17,453 Population

Glendale

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 5,334 Population

Wynnedale - Spring Hill

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 6,719 Population

Bargersville

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.09 out of 5  11 reviews

Current Resident: I have been all over the world, but I have never found the same feeling of being Bargersville. There is a certain peace and down-home feel mixed in with humble pursuit of excellence.

The Center Grove School district is one of the best in the state and in sports, competes at State Champion level against the largest schools in the state (which are often 2x-4x larger).

The people here seem to really love life and care about the community, unlike most other places I've lived. It is more about the collective here than the individual. Snobbiness is not accepted.

The weakest spot is food and entertainment, but there are many new places opening up and the nearby destinations are countless (Bloomington, Nashville Indiana, Indianapolis, Franklin). The steady growth of the area rather than the booming growth other cities seek seems like a wise move that will pay off down the road.
Read 11 Reviews

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• 7,085 Population

Whitestown

• Suburb of Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.29 out of 5  17 reviews

Current Resident: We have lived in Whitestown for 12 years. I have lived in or near Whitestown all my life. It is the fastest growing community currently in Indiana. It’s offers many job opportunities between retail and restaurants. Businesses are expanding in the area as well. Whitestown is a good, quiet, wholesome town for the most part. It’s far enough away from city life but close enough to get to anything you want to experience. I can see Whitestown booming in all areas in the next 5-10 years, offering so many opportunities. The school system isn’t the best or what we prefer for our kids. They attend a private school within 20 minutes of our home.
Read 17 Reviews

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• 8,312 Population

Millersville

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 10,794 Population

North Central

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 5 out of 5  1 review

Current Resident: Awesome area with a diverse a range of things to do. Lots of bike paths and small family run businesses. Friends in the neighborhood are common because the people are friendly.
Read 1 Review

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• 8,612 Population

Aberdeen

• Suburb in Indiana
• Rating 3.25 out of 5  8 reviews

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• 1,591 Population

Traders Point

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN
• Rating 4.8 out of 5  5 reviews

Current Resident: Great community with great neighborhoods, shopping, food and fun. The community is safe for families with children and is diverse.
Read 5 Reviews

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• 7,878 Population

West Lafayette

• Town in Indiana
• Rating 3.85 out of 5  143 reviews

Current Resident: Loved growing up here right next to Purdue! The area is very safe and family-friendly. However, not much to do, wish there was more nightlife/ cool places to hang out.
Read 143 Reviews

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• 48,551 Population

Schererville

• Suburb in Indiana
• Rating 3.97 out of 5  86 reviews

Current Resident: Schererville, Indiana has been an amazing place to grow up. It offers beautiful parks, a bike trail, and is part of an amazing school system. The neighborhoods are full of kind neighbors and great housing. The only downside I would have about Schererville is it's lack of a bustling downtown area. It would be nice to have more restaurants and businesses in the downtown area in which to visit with friends and family. Sitting outside a coffee shop or walking past other small businesses in a family friendly area would not only ultimately positively benefit the economy of the town, but also provide its citizens with more opportunities to enjoy themselves when they leave their homes. As of right now, people in Schererville complain about not having much to do in the immediate area and are often forced to travel to other nearby towns to enjoy themselves, so it would be nice to have more opportunities closer to home.
Read 86 Reviews

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• 28,590 Population

Clearwater

• Neighborhood in Indianapolis, IN

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• 3,264 Population