Study: Best Cities to Raise a Family in Florida
Look beyond the stereotype of the retired Floridian. Young families also have lots of reasons to settle down in the Sunshine State, and the warm weather and 1,300 miles of coastline are only half the story. Families that live in any of the 10 cities below are giving their children a quality education, and their mortgages and rents aren't wreaking havoc on their monthly budgets. Read on to see which cities topped the CreditDonkey list for the best Florida cities to raise a family.
Study Methodology
To get our top 10, we ranked each location based on the following data from the U.S. Census Bureau:
- Education
- Commute Time
- Household Type
- Residency
- Housing Costs
To measure each city's educational attainment level, we looked at the percentage of people in each city who earned a high school diploma or higher.
When you're raising a family, you don't have time to waste going to and from work. We know that your time is valuable, so we looked at the average commute for each city.
You want friends and you want friends for your kids. Check out how each city ranks based on the percentage of family households that are in your situation. They have children under 18 years old, and they plan to stick around. We looked at the percentage of people in each city who still live in the same house they did one year ago.
Last but not least, we know that affordability is a top concern when you're raising kids, so we based our rankings in part of the percentage of income you'll spend on average for housing.
Top 10 Cities in Florida to Raise a Family
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10. Palm Beach Gardens
- Residents with high school degree: 94%
- Average commute time: 20.8 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 19.4%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 84.9%
- Income for housing: 25.6%
With the average commute time hovering around 20 minutes, residents of Palm Beach Gardens will have plenty of time to enjoy the Florida sunshine rather than being stuck in gridlock. And there's plenty to do in this coastal city. Take an evening stroll through Downtown at the Gardens, an outdoor mall featuring a wooden carousel plus live music the first Friday of each month.
Did you know? Take your family on a boat tour up the Intracoastal Waterway to view Florida's river wildlife.
9. Miami Lakes
- Residents with high school degree: 90.6%
- Average commute time: 28.2 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 36%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 93.6%
- Income for housing: 28.8%
Miami Lakes families stick around, making this town a great place to build connections within your community. Located just outside of Miami, the town also offers easy access to city culture while enjoying suburban amenities. Miami Lakes' Main Street has open air shopping and dining that can be enjoyed year-round.
Did you know? Miami is creating a family-friendly Greenways and Trails system to connect areas of town with pedestrian and bike paths.
8. Boca Raton
- Residents with high school degree: 95.3%
- Average commute time: 20 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 21.8%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 84.4%
- Income for housing: 27.9%
Boca Raton ranks top on our list for having the highest percentage of high school degrees and the shortest commute time. There are plenty of fun activities for families, too, like snorkeling at Red Reef Park and concerts at Mizner Park Amphitheater. The city is also home to notable employers, including Office Depot's headquarters and Vitacost, which sells discounts vitamins and supplements.
Did you know? Sugar Sand Park is the ideal public park for kids: from the Science Explorium to the Willow Theatre, there's a range of activities for your budding scientists and actors.
7. Jupiter
- Residents with high school degree: 92.1%
- Average commute time: 22.3 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 25.6%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 86%
- Income for housing: 26.3%
Jupiter ranks well solidly across the board, so it's a well-rounded choice for young families. Explore the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse and surrounding beach, which are protected as a congressionally appointed Outstanding Natural Area. Do you have any baseball fans in the family? Cheer on the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals when they practice at their spring training facilities in Jupiter.
Did you know? You and your family can also enjoy racecar matches at the Palm Beach International Raceway.
6. Port Orange
- Residents with high school degree: 89.4%
- Average commute time: 22.1 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 21.6%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 87%
- Income for housing: 23.1%
Port Orange has the lowest percentage of income spent on housing, making it family-friendly and affordable. The town is also just minutes outside of Daytona Beach, so you'll be close to the ocean and, of course, NASCAR. But there's plenty to like in Port Orange, too. Your kids will enjoy seasonal flowers, butterflies and dinosaur statues at the Sugar Mill Botanical Gardens, and wander the trails at Longleaf Pine Preserve.
Did you know? The state of Florida has give the town's schools an A-rating, so you can rest assured your children are receiving quality education.
5. Winter Springs
- Residents with high school degree: 93.6%
- Average commute time: 26.5 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 29.7%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 87.3%
- Income for housing: 23.4%
Winter Springs is another Florida city with affordable housing for families, and over 93% of residents have at least a high school degree. With its proximity to Orlando, your family can visit Disney World throughout the year. Not convinced yet? Winter Springs is also close to Lake Jessup, which is filled with huge populations of alligators, osprey, bald eagles and more.
Did you know? Winter Springs consistently has numerous development projects, offering house hunters with plenty of new construction housing options.
4. Ormond Beach
- Residents with high school degree: 93.5%
- Average commute time: 21.7 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 18.8%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 90.2%
- Income for housing: 23.5%
Located north of Daytona, Ormond Beach residents have a short commute, averaging just over 21 minutes. The city also has a rich history, which you can learn about with your family by visiting The Casements (the former home of John D. Rockefeller) and the Ormond Memorial Art Museum. Even Bulow Creek State Park has a lengthy past, boasting one of the South's oldest oak trees, at over 400 years old.
Did you know? You can take advantage of free beach parking at the Andy Romano Beachfront Park, which also has a playground and splash park for kids.
3. Oviedo
- Residents with high school degree: 94.1%
- Average commute time: 29.4 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 43.3%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 89.3%
- Income for housing: 24%
Oviedo has the most families with kids on our top 10 list, coming in at over 43%. The town offers a number of annual festivals, including A Taste of Oviedo and the Great Day in the Country Arts and Crafts Festival. You can also explore Florida's various natural habitats on land or water at the Black Hammock Wilderness Area.
Did you know? Downtown Oviedo is home to a number of chickens who roam the streets and serve as unofficial town mascots.
2. Rockledge
- Residents with high school degree: 92.9%
- Average commute time: 23.8 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 25.5%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 89.8%
- Income for housing: 23.3%
With only about 23% of income spent on housing, Rockledge is an affordable city on the coast. It has a family-friendly atmosphere, too, with an Independence Day family picnic, Light Up Rockledge and Holiday Parade all adding a sense of Americana to your family's experience. Rockledge also supports entrepreneurs and is home to Rivian Automotive, a car start-up.
Did you know? Rockledge boasts over 15 parks for you and your family to explore.
1. Cooper City
- Residents with high school degree: 94.5%
- Average commute time: 26.4 minutes
- Families with children under 18: 40.7%
- Families living in the same house as last year: 91.5%
- Income for housing: 26.1%
Cooper City comes in as our best Florida City for families and here's why: nearly 95% of the population has earned a high school degree; over 40% of residents have young kids; and they stick around, with over 91% of families living in the same house as last year. Nicknamed "Someplace Special," Cooper City boasts A-rating public schools and a median household income of over $88,000 - well above both state and national levels.
Did you know? Brian Piccolo Park, in addition to offering other athletic activities, also maintains cricket grounds.
Who knew there could be so much diversity and uniqueness in sunny Florida? One thing is certain: you can't go wrong picking one of these cities as your family's next hometown.
Top 40 Cities for Families in Florida
| Rank | City | % High School Graduate or Higher | Average Commute Time | Household with Children | Residing in Same House Last Year | Income Spent on Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cooper City | 94.5% | 26.4 | 40.7% | 91.5% | 26.1% |
| 2 | Rockledge | 92.9% | 23.8 | 25.5% | 89.8% | 23.3% |
| 3 | Oviedo | 94.1% | 29.4 | 43.3% | 89.3% | 24% |
| 4 | Ormond Beach | 93.5% | 21.7 | 18.8% | 90.2% | 23.5% |
| 5 | Winter Springs | 93.6% | 26.5 | 29.7% | 87.3% | 23.4% |
| 6 | Port Orange | 89.4% | 22.1 | 21.6% | 87.0% | 23.1% |
| 7 | Jupiter | 92.1% | 22.3 | 25.6% | 86.0% | 26.3% |
| 8 | Boca Raton | 95.3% | 20 | 21.8% | 84.4% | 27.9% |
| 9 | Miami Lakes | 90.6% | 28.2 | 36.0% | 93.6% | 28.8% |
| 10 | Palm Beach Gardens | 94.0% | 20.8 | 19.4% | 84.9% | 25.6% |
| 11 | Parkland | 96.3% | 28.9 | 50.0% | 86.2% | 30.6% |
| 12 | Pensacola | 89.8% | 18.7 | 21.4% | 81.4% | 24% |
| 13 | Wellington | 92.8% | 29 | 39.0% | 87.6% | 28.7% |
| 14 | Weston | 96.3% | 28.5 | 51.1% | 83.8% | 28.6% |
| 15 | Winter Park | 94.4% | 20.7 | 21.8% | 80.7% | 25.1% |
| 16 | Coral Springs | 92.5% | 26.8 | 40.9% | 85.0% | 28.2% |
| 17 | Pinellas Park | 84.1% | 20.9 | 21.1% | 88.0% | 25.2% |
| 18 | Royal Palm Beach | 90.8% | 27.7 | 39.7% | 87.3% | 29.3% |
| 19 | Plantation | 94.1% | 25.5 | 28.0% | 83.7% | 26.5% |
| 20 | Coral Gables | 94.9% | 21.3 | 24.0% | 79.3% | 26.2% |
| 21 | Melbourne | 89.9% | 21.4 | 20.6% | 83.3% | 24.9% |
| 22 | Temple Terrace | 92.1% | 22.6 | 27.6% | 80.6% | 26.2% |
| 23 | Winter Garden | 91.4% | 25.3 | 38.0% | 81.6% | 27.8% |
| 24 | Davie | 89.9% | 26.3 | 36.0% | 84.5% | 28.2% |
| 25 | Clermont | 91.9% | 28.8 | 30.8% | 83.8% | 25.3% |
| 26 | North Port | 89.9% | 28 | 29.1% | 83.8% | 24.4% |
| 27 | Plant City | 79.7% | 23.5 | 36.6% | 81.9% | 25.1% |
| 28 | Ocoee | 85.7% | 28.6 | 35.3% | 86.8% | 26.7% |
| 29 | Apopka | 86.2% | 30.1 | 31.5% | 88.1% | 25.9% |
| 30 | Jacksonville | 87.2% | 23.5 | 28.5% | 81.2% | 25.6% |
| 31 | St. Petersburg | 87.8% | 21.9 | 21.7% | 83.4% | 26.7% |
| 32 | Dunedin | 91.2% | 24 | 17.7% | 83.0% | 24.3% |
| 33 | Clearwater | 88.1% | 21.9 | 21.1% | 85.0% | 28.6% |
| 34 | Cutler Bay | 87.7% | 36.5 | 37.3% | 90.4% | 30.3% |
| 35 | Palm Coast | 90.3% | 26.7 | 23.0% | 86.7% | 27.1% |
| 36 | St. Cloud | 88.7% | 30.1 | 37.5% | 84.0% | 27.4% |
| 37 | Doral | 94.8% | 26.6 | 53.8% | 78.8% | 32% |
| 38 | Lakeland | 86.4% | 21.3 | 22.6% | 79.1% | 24.7% |
| 39 | Miramar | 89.5% | 30.2 | 46.8% | 86.7% | 33.3% |
| 40 | Coconut Creek | 92.3% | 25.8 | 28.6% | 83.0% | 29.7% |
Lauren Ward is a research analyst at CreditDonkey, a credit card comparison and reviews website. Write to Lauren Ward at lauren@creditdonkey.com. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook for our latest posts.
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