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2018 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.

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  1. Beverly Hills

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 15
    1 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I really enjoy living in Beverly Hills. There is a great school district. The police station is very central and the people are really friendly!
    Read 15 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 10,450 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  2. East Grand Rapids

    • Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
    • 17
    2 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: AMAZING LITTLE TOWN!! I have lived here all my life and I couldn't think of anywhere else to live in Michigan. Everyone knows everyone else your super close with your neighbors and block. The East stereotypes aren't really that amazing though. People in other towns call us the stuck-up rich kids because the houses are big and expensive. You're super close to downtown EGR almost wherever you live. There are a few stores including Starbucks, Kilwins, A grocery store, Restaurants, and an Athleta. There are lots more but those are the most popular. We also have a local hot dog and fries shop called Crazy Charlie's which has amazing food and I highly recommend. (Can be busy because kids walk there after school). All the schools (middle and High) are less than a 5-minute walk to all these places. There is little to no crime. Overall I highly recommened raising your family in East.
    Read 17 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 11,297 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  3. Okemos

    • Town in Michigan
    • 71
    3 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I love everything about Okemos! I grew up here and hope to raise my family here as well. The public schools are by far the best in Mid-Michigan. I felt extremely prepared to go into college and was well above many other students. The math classes I took in college were even easier than the ones I took at Okemos. In addition, it is very safe and clean. There are some good restaurants, my favorite being Dusty's, but this is an area I think they can improve in.
    Read 71 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 22,493 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  5. Birmingham

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 55
    4 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I love Birmingham! Downtown Birmingham is great; the city is not too big or too small, and it is very close to many places such as Detroit. I have lived here my whole life and I have never wished to live in another city and I would love to live here again after college and raise my family here.
    Read 55 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 20,653 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  6. Franklin

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 3
    5 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
    • 3,262 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  7. Grosse Pointe Farms

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 32
    6 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: This is a wonderful lakefront community that has the feel of a small town. Neighbors still know one another in this tightly knit community. Did you say you needed help, or a cup of milk? Yes, neighbors still care about one another. As a bordering suburb of Detroit, GP Farms remains one of the safest communities in the region, boasting top ranked public schools for both academics and sports. With private access to beautiful Lake St. Clair, via Pier Park, this is the closest to a dream for raising a family. Ten minutes from Downtown Detroit, with a sense of timelessness that Peter Pan would have loved! No shoveling snow from your walk, putting trash to the curb, or bagging leaves, either. GP Farms city services are the best. Lastly, the AAA credit rating makes GP Farms economically responsible for continued, long term success!
    Read 32 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 9,265 Population
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  10. Huntington Woods

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 15
    7 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: Small city, with the best small-town feel in the suburbs of Detroit! Each season has reason to celebrate with friends and neighbors!
    Read 15 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 6,330 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  11. Northville

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 33
    8 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: Overall, Northville/South Lyon is a great place. There are good and bad pockets, a lot of "old school" ways of thinking, but I love the small town fill. The real estate market is overpriced, and the building is getting out of control, but the school system is phenomenal!
    Read 33 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 5,986 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  12. Lodi Township

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 13
    9 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Niche User: Not much crime that I know of. Have heard of some major issues, murder, bank robbery, etc. but very rare.
    Read 13 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 6,320 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  14. Grosse Pointe Park

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 23
    10 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: Grosse Pointe Park and the surrounding Grosse Pointes are very nice communities to live in. The houses are clean-looking and the community is safe so it's a really good place to raise a family. It's also good for families because the Grosse Pointe school district is really great; one of the best in the state. It's a good community to guarantee a good education for your kids and their safety as well. Although the Grosse Pointes are big, almost everyone knows or knows of everyone, making it a tight knit community. The public parks are very nice facilities and the village (a string of shops and restaurants) is really convenient. The location of houses in proximity to the village, libraries, parks, and schools, is almost always in walking distance. One of the only downsides of living in Grosse Pointe is that some of the "old money" families living on the lake do live up to their snotty reputations. Other than that, Grosse Pointe Park is a pretty enjoyable and safe community to live in!
    Read 23 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 11,276 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  15. Grosse Pointe

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 9
    11 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Former Resident: I grew up in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. From a child standpoint, it was a wonderful place to grow up. The public school system was impeccable, and it was an incredibly safe neighborhood. It is a suburb for families, mostly middle class families. As I got older, however, I started to notice its' flaws. I lived with my single mother and 3 older sisters. We were not a wealthy family, to say the least, and therefore did not "fit in". I had found out my mother was completely segregated from social life with other members of the community because of her financial situation. Grosse Pointe is also not diverse at all, made up almost completely of white individuals like myself. There is no nightlife in Grosse Pointe, as many people my age joked that the city "shuts down" at 9 p.m. Overall, I think this city is a safe environment to grow up and attend school at, but it is not a place for the unwealthy or individuals without children.
    Read 9 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 5,256 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  16. Bloomfield Charter Township

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 69
    12 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: More diversity training for the educators, including the principal/office staff. Because it starts and ends at the top just as in the home environment. My light skinned mixed son didn't know what racism or bullying were until moving into the school district, and the school's are why we moved.
    Unfortunately, he was in a middle school with only 15-20% minority luckily there was only (1) senior high school and an about 35% minority mix, along with more attention paid to diversity in all respects.
    Bloomfield Twp is primarily residential, no fast food or party store type businesses, mostly doctors, lawyers offices. Residents take pride in ownership and don't move often driving up prices and the school's are Rated A+ , private unless you live in district.
    Lastly, BT is very safe with a police/EMS response time of 2-3min. I personally walk my poodle at 3a in my house coat& feel comfortable and safe.
    Thanks
    Read 69 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 41,973 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  19. Northville Township

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 29
    13 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: It's a pretty area with lots of shopping and great food choices available. Great access point to get all over the Detroit area. Located between Detroit and Ann Arbor, not far from Ohio, or Canada it's easy to get places!
    Read 29 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 28,724 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  20. Forest Hills

    • Suburb of Grand Rapids, MI
    • 76
    14 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I love that Forest HIlls is such a safe community. They have a great school system, and the and it is extremely family friendly. It is quite pricey, and the society as a whole is very affluent. There are lots of opportunities for kids to play sports and participate in clubs, and many school options. There are Spanish Immersion and Mandarin Immersion school programs available nearby. The location is ideal, since it is a few minute's drive from Grand Rapids, but not too close, and relatively close to Lake Michigan.
    Read 76 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 27,667 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  21. Ann Arbor

    • City in Michigan
    • 375
    15 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I love Ann Arbor! It's a lively city with a small-town feel. Having the University of Michigan down the street creates endless opportunities for concerts, events, and night life. The philanthropic scene is booming and small businesses are everywhere! Everyone here is happy and excited about life, passionate about this city and very environmentally-conscious and involved in the community. It is a truly wonderful place.
    Read 375 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 118,087 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  22. Troy

    • Town in Michigan
    • 191
    16 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I've lived in Troy for 30+ years, raised a family, advanced a career, and thoroughly enjoyed two different neighborhoods. You have ready access to the best shopping in the state, an abundance of excellent restaurants, movie theaters, and a very well run city government. You have everything from city run health clubs, water parks, golf courses, dog park, city parks, soccer fields, city museum, hiking trails, senior centers, swimming pools, and one of the best school systems in the state. Most people in Troy take pride in their property with really good city services. Take trash collection as a mundane example. The city provided service picks up everything and they even have these 90 gallon trash bins on wheels. Our friends down south have to individually contract for trash collection and even then they are limited to two trash cans a week. When it snows the city plows the residential streets. Troy really is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
    Read 191 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 82,982 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  23. Grosse Pointe Woods

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 29
    17 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I have lived in the Pointes for 22 years. Split between the Park and the Woods. I have lived in the Woods for 11 years. I am not originally from the Pointes, but I wouldn't call anywhere else home! The schools are great, crime is low, private parks are awesome and you can ride your bike anywhere you need to go. Restaurants, doctor, dentist, market, we have it all!
    Read 29 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 15,785 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  26. Village of Grosse Pointe Shores

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 3
    18 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I like the people within the city. Everyone is so nice and thoughtful and typically there is nothing to worry about. It is a safe neighborhood where everyone fits in.
    Read 3 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 2,933 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  27. Novi

    • Town in Michigan
    • 135
    19 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: Novi has been an amazing place to grow up. Although I attended Mercy High for high school, I went to Novi Public Schools K-8 and received an incredible elementary education. Crime is very low; I feel extremely safe at all hours of the day indoors and outdoors. I do, however, wish the overdevelopment of Novi would slow, as we are quickly seeing our remaining woodlands disappear into new neighborhood complexes. Traffic is growing worse, and the schools are growing overcrowded, I have been told by my three younger brothers who attend Novi Schools currently. Overall, I feel blessed to have grown up in such a wonderful, diverse community.
    Read 135 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 58,233 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  28. Bloomfield Hills

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 17
    20 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: A very modern and welcoming community that accepts people of all race and religion. There is an excellent school district that caters to the specific student. The teachers really care about the kids and their education. Besides the academics, there are places of worship for many religious affiliations. This adds to the welcoming atmosphere of the city. The wide variety of restaurants is another appealing aspect of this city. The restaurants have many different options depending on what you are looking for. All of the different institutions as well as the wonderful people are what make Bloomfield Hills an amazing city.
    Read 17 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 3,984 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  29. Dexter

    • Town in Michigan
    • 9
    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 9 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 4,319 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  30. Plymouth

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 23
    22 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: The city of Plymouth has provided me with a variety of opportunities and has allowed me to grow as a person over the course of my teenage years. Due to Plymouth´s small population, it is easy to develop long-lasting friendships, as well as connections with the community as a whole. Personally, I love the downtown area because of how it is structured, and because of it´s welcoming atmosphere. Many teens, as well as young adults, who are interested in the arts, have been provided with The Plymouth PARC, which is a community building that can be used for a multitude of purposes. This community center offers concerts, theatre productions, and art festivals to the public, which has helped immensely with bringing the community together. Plymouth is a town that not only forces people to step outside of their comfort zones, but it is also a community that strives to maintain collectivism by allowing its members to find ways to feel connected with the world around them.
    Read 23 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 8,956 Population
    View Nearby Homes
  31. Review Your Area

  32. Rochester Hills

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 98
    23 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: I have really enjoyed growing up in Rochester Hills. As a student who has gone through the public school system, I can say with confidence that it provides a high quality education that strives for inclusivity and college preparation. Rochester Hills also has a thriving downtown area, with many shops and restaurants for people of all ages to enjoy throughout the year. In fact, my favorite event in Rochester Hills is the light show downtown that begins around Christmas! It is always a memorable and gorgeous time of the year to be living there!
    Read 98 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 72,987 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  33. Pittsfield Charter Township

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 60
    24 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: Pittsfield Charter Township is a quiet and cozy place to live. The neighbors are very friendly and I feel safe living here. Here, we have Pittsfield Charter Township taxes, which are lower than Ann Arbor, but we are still a part of the Ann Arbor public school system, so we get the benefit of having one of the best school systems around the area. We are perfectly centered inside the areas of Saline, Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Milan. We are just a few minutes from Eastern Michigan University, and only 20 minutes from the University of Michigan.
    Read 60 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 37,225 Population
    View Nearby Homes

  34. Saline

    • Suburb of Detroit, MI
    • 17
    25 Best Places to Raise a Family in Michigan

    Current Resident: Saline is a great place to live. There are many community opportunities to become involved in, and it is a close-knit community. It is also very safe and secure. Although it is not the most diverse place, most people in the community do, in fact, value diversity.
    Read 17 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Public Schools
    • A+
      Good for Families
    • 9,082 Population
    View Nearby Homes
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