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2020 Best Places to Raise a Family in MichiganAbout this List

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

Area type classifications are based on populations and proximity to major city centers.

City

City Neighborhood

Suburbs

Towns

Public Schools Grade

Based on data including state test scores, college readiness, graduation rates, SAT/ACT scores, teacher quality, as well as reviews from students and parents.

A

B

C

D

Based on cost of living factors for an area including housing costs, tax rates, and cost of essentials like food and fuel.

$

$$

$$$

$$$$

Who Lives Here

Families

Young Professionals

Retirees

Walkability

Don't Care

Care

Care A Lot

Crime & Safety Grade

Calculated based on crime rates for murder, assault, rape, burglary, and other crime statistics, as well as reviews from residents.

A

B

C

D

Homes In The Area

Single Family Homes

Large Apt. Buildings

Small Apt. Buildings

Townhomes

Homeownership

Most Own

Balanced

Most Rent

Based on 2012 and 2016 presidential election results compared to the national average.

Very Conservative

Conservative

Balanced

Liberal

Very Liberal

Things to do

Bars

Don't Care

Care

Care a Lot

Restaurants

Don't Care

Care

Care a Lot

Coffee Shops

Don't Care

Care

Care a Lot

Parks

Don't Care

Care

Care a Lot

1 – 25 of 2,095

Best for Families

Best Places to Live
Most Diverse
Best to Buy a House

2,095 results

Best Places to Live
Best for Families
Best Public Schools

Most Diverse
Best for Young Professionals
Best for Retirees

Economy

Cost of Living
Best to Buy a House

Health & Outdoors

Healthiest
Outdoor Activities

Okemos
Suburb of Lansing, MI
80 reviews
#1 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Ideal family community. Strong public schools. The high school has full range of AP classes, kids score 4-5's. Excellent school music and art programs. Very safe. Kids make friendships across social classes. Religiously diverse metro area with Jewish synagogues, an Islamic mosque, a Hindu and Jain temple, churches with services in Chinese, Korean, and Spanish, African American churches, etc. Restaurants and grocery stores from many cultures. Many cultural opportunities at MSU. Parks, trails, lakes, farmer's market.
Read 80 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
23,912 Population
View Nearby Homes
Lodi Township
Town in Michigan
12 reviews
#2 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
6,455 Population
View Nearby Homes
Bloomfield Charter Township
Suburb of Detroit, MI
71 reviews
#3 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: I've lived in Bloomfield Township and direct surrounding areas ever since I moved to the Detroit Metro area in 2002. I have no plans of moving anywhere else in the area. This is a great area if not the best. Great for commuting access. You will need a car, public transportation seems to have bypassed most of the area. Higher End stores, malls, restaurants, and people. Higher educated primarily with mostly professionals and retired professionals. The people are diverse yet not really economically diverse. Very safe, quiet, great for schools for children. Clean, surrounded by lakes, and golf courses.
Read 71 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
42,155 Population
View Nearby Homes
Franklin
Suburb of Detroit, MI
3 reviews
#4 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Former Resident: In all of Michigan, this has got to be my favorite town to live. I've been everywhere in Michigan and Franklin just has the best of the best. Professional citizens, charming estate style homes, quaint downtown. Only the best of everything and people who really care! The Police and businesses are nothing but AMAZING! I really like that there aren’t a lot of crisp dollars flying around this town.
Read 3 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
3,332 Population
View Nearby Homes
Grosse Pointe Park
Suburb of Detroit, MI
26 reviews
#5 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Best city to raise a family! Excellent public schools, two waterfront parks (pools, splash pad, private movie theaters). Beautiful homes that residents take pride in keeping up. Public service is second to none!
Read 26 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
11,207 Population
View Nearby Homes
Northville
Suburb of Detroit, MI
44 reviews
#6 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: This is a very expensive neighborhood, but there is always something going on! I have never seen a town so busy during the summer and fall months. They are also VERY good about cleaning up after a bad snow storm and making sure the community is safe. It's a huge up and coming area for new and growing families.
Read 44 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
5,971 Population
View Nearby Homes
East Grand Rapids
Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
24 reviews
#7 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: EGR is a great place to grow up and raise kids, but it's definitely obvious why so many people call it "the bubble" or liken it to Pleasantville (the movie). Almost all of the streets have sidewalks, most teachers in the schools live here, and playgrounds abound and there are little kids everywhere. The high school always ranks in the top 20 public high schools in MI and the educational opportunities from grades K-12 can't be beat. However, there is very little diversity and EGR becomes more and more unaffordable by the day as modest houses that are in good shape are torn down to build McMansions on every corner. The downtown Gaslight Village area also leaves a lot to be desired- parking is a mess so local businesses are constantly moving in and out and more chains are moving in and independent businesses are moving out. All of the public schools are very walkable and it is a very short drive to downtown GR.
Read 24 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
11,642 Population
View Nearby Homes
Troy
Town in Michigan
236 reviews
#8 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: I really liked how in Troy there are many options in pursuing different high school educations. There is a whole school based on the IB Program. Then the two main high schools are large and inviting and the Niles High School helos students ready for their future jobs get their quicker. There are also opportunities for so much diversity. As in my own neighborhood, we are filled with different people and languages, and ethnicities!
Read 236 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
83,881 Population
View Nearby Homes
Beverly Hills
Suburb of Detroit, MI
19 reviews
#9 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Great schools, public and private: Detroit Country Day, Birmingham Groves, and nearby Brother Rice, Birmingham Seaholm, and Cranbrook. Professional and effective police force. and lots and lots of great neighbors.
Read 19 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
10,440 Population
View Nearby Homes
Northville Township
Suburb of Detroit, MI
39 reviews
#10 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Really beautiful place to live; a lot of family friendly activities! Weather is beautiful, summer is gorgeous and super enjoyable. I wish they would fix the main roads, but other than that its a picturesque, cookie cutter American Dream city.
Read 39 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
29,017 Population
View Nearby Homes
Birmingham
Suburb of Detroit, MI
66 reviews
#11 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Birmingham is charming, both in its residents as well as its landscape. Downtown has great restaurants and cute shops. There are plenty of fantastic public utilities like parks, the library, as well as the high quality public schools. Birmingham is safe and the people are friendly.
Read 66 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
21,066 Population
View Nearby Homes
Grosse Pointe Farms
Suburb of Detroit, MI
41 reviews
#12 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: It’s a very safe community with great education and a great location. Lots of diverse restaurants, and gorgeous houses. Grosse Pointe has many different groups of people and is very welcoming to anyone. It’s very diverse in many ways. There are many people of many different political beliefs, races, religions, and social classes. I always feel safe walking the streets at night and feel that any stranger I meet will be kind, helpful, and welcoming. There is such a small town feel, having no fast food or strip malls, but both of those things are close by. I have loved growing up here and most definitely want to come back to raise by children here.
Read 41 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
9,224 Population
View Nearby Homes
Grosse Pointe
Suburb of Detroit, MI
14 reviews
#13 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: I love living in Grosse Pointe and have all my childhood and teen years. It has given me a safe place where I can walk about and enjoy. Its given me friendships I will have forever from kids next door, down the block, or a short walk/bike ride away. Its given me an education that I am grateful for, which will take me wherever I want to go if I put in the effort and dedication. Lastly, its given me a home- somewhere I can always go, count on, and feel myself.
Read 14 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
5,218 Population
View Nearby Homes
Forest Hills
Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
77 reviews
#14 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Works Here: Forest Hills is an affluent, family friendly area. The schools are rated very highly and there are many extracurricular opportunities for students to participate in. The biggest drawback to living in Forest Hills is the lack of diversity in both race and income. The high costs of housing and taxes make it difficult for most to live in the area. I often worry that the children who grow up in Forest Hills will have an unrealistic view of life after living in such a bubble. The parents in the community are often known as "helicopter parents" because of how much they hover over their children. These parents have a substantial pull in all areas of the community.
Read 77 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
27,947 Population
View Nearby Homes
Ann Arbor
City in Michigan
502 reviews
#15 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Niche User: A sweet and enjoyable small town! Ann Arbor offers everything that you need in your day to day life. The town is filled with restaurants, shops, music venues, fantastic schools, grocery stores and the best farmers market! I really enjoy the small town feel, but it is also nice that we have access to Detroit and if you are up to a big adventure Chicago is only 4 hours away! I am here as a graduate student and I am very glad I chose to come to Ann Arbor. Everyday you will see students, working professionals, and retirees walking around the town, eating at restaurants and truly enjoying life! Also, the ARBORETUM is to die for (trust me, you will want to go see this place). I can definitely see myself raising my kids here one day! DEFINITELY A MUST SEE TOWN!
Read 502 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
120,641 Population
View Nearby Homes
Bloomfield Hills
Suburb of Detroit, MI
41 reviews
#16 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: The academics are amazing considering it’s well funded. The only thing is there isn’t much diversity. A lot of the people here are caucasian and some, unfortunately, happen to be racist, but other than that this city is great! It’s very safe and homey.
Read 41 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
4,009 Population
View Nearby Homes
Grosse Pointe Woods
Suburb of Detroit, MI
43 reviews
#17 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Grosse Pointe Woods is a lovely place to be in. You can take a walk down any street and marvel at the beauty of the houses and their surroundings. In addition, the sky over the lake is absolutely stunning in the mornings and evenings. Not only is Grosse Pointe a nice place to live because of its beauty, but also because the city takes very good care of its residents' safety. The police and safety department are always looking out for us and keeping our streets safe.

GPW is full of little shops, restaurants, and cafes for all your desires just up on Mack.
Read 43 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
15,559 Population
View Nearby Homes
Novi
Town in Michigan
162 reviews
#18 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: I like that the neighborhoods in Novi are very clean and like mini communities. In my own neighborhood, my friends and I enjoy biking around the small lake. There are lovely trails and scenic spots which are the perfect place to relax or do homework!
I really wish that Novi had more of a rustic feel and a "town center" to walk in. That probably won't change, but maybe they could create a space for teenagers to hang out in.
Read 162 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
59,625 Population
View Nearby Homes
Saline
Suburb of Detroit, MI
21 reviews
#19 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Growing up in Saline, MI has been a great privilege for me. I was very blessed to have grown up in a beautiful town such as Saline. The public school system in Saline is one of the best in the whole country. As a father to a three year old child, I feel comfortable raising my daughter in such a nice town. However, night life in Saline is limited, if you are looking for entertainment, then you need to check out Ann Arbor more so instead of Saline. Most of the local entertainment like movie theaters, malls, and ethnic restaurants are offered in Ann Arbor. On the bright side, Ann Arbor, MI is only a 10 minute drive from Saline, so its very close and easy to get too.
Read 21 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
9,223 Population
View Nearby Homes
Haslett
Suburb of Lansing, MI
43 reviews
#20 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Haslett for me has offered the best blend of country and city possible. With Michigan State University in my backyard and Lake Lansing, a five-minute car ride away, what's not to love? There is an abundance of parks and trails to enjoy year-round. Additionally, with many local small businesses, it's easy to feel the warm and caring community around.
Read 43 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
19,721 Population
View Nearby Homes
Dexter
Town in Michigan
18 reviews
#21 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Dexter is a small town. Yet, as its population continues to grow the small community feel has stayed and has continued to strive. In March of 2012 an EF3 tornado ripped through Dexter. While it would have been easy to give up, for people to move away, and leave the rubble behind, Dexter did the opposite. The community came together in the dark and picked up the pieces. Everyone was there to help each other in our time of need. Everyday, Dexter fails to surprise me by its incredible sense of community and family because it is something everyone has some to expect from their neighbors. We are the Dreadnaughts, and we will always come together for each other in times of need.
Read 18 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
4,603 Population
View Nearby Homes
Oakland Charter Township
Suburb of Detroit, MI
21 reviews
#22 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: I have always felt extremely in my neighborhoods and out in town! Everyone is friendly and helpful, there is always plenty to do with friends, and I always feel comfortable going for a run or a bike ride out into town or on local trails like the Paint Creek. I also had a great experience with my education with Lake Orion schools. That's not to mention the natural beauty of local lakes, forests, and parks to enjoy nature and get outdoors during the summer.
Read 21 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
18,877 Population
View Nearby Homes
Huntington Woods
Suburb of Detroit, MI
18 reviews
#23 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Very friendly community. Always lots to do whether it is swimming, biking, golfing. Many activities and opportunities for children and adults. Safe and quaint neighborhood. Not very diverse, in terms or race and religion.
Read 18 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A-
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
6,340 Population
View Nearby Homes
Pittsfield Charter Township
Suburb of Detroit, MI
63 reviews
#24 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: I have lived here for less than a year. Overall, it is a very diverse area with people of all races, nationalities, and socioeconomic backgrounds. There is also a lot of diversity in the stores around the area. It is not too far from Ann Arbor, the main city in the area, and we got to school there. At least in my neighborhood, it is very new, so I wish there was less construction around us. We have some very nice parks and nature ares, my favorite to go to is Lillie Park.
Read 63 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A+
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
38,359 Population
View Nearby Homes
Berkley
Suburb of Detroit, MI
41 reviews
#25 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan
Current Resident: Berkley, MI is a growing city in the Metro Detroit area of which I am proud to live in! Downtown Berkley is becoming a hot spot for those looking to support small businesses, with restaurants, storefronts, and much more! The location is perfect to settle down and start a family or even begin a career, as it surrounds many opportunities. Though I would like to see a grocery store pop up in this city, I believe that Berkley is a bang for your buck!
Read 41 Reviews
A+
Overall Niche Grade
A
Public Schools
A+
Good for Families
15,360 Population
View Nearby Homes
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About This List

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

Where Niche Grades come from and how Niche calculates rankings.

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