[dropcap]T[/dropcap]exas is the fastest growing state in the nation. The combination of low housing prices, plentiful employment opportunities and lack of a state income tax has made Texas the new frontier. All the new folks moving to the Lone Star State have one burning question: "Where should I raise my family?"
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We scoured many different city rankings, and the following 10 cities have frequently popped up on list after list. Using parameters including crime rate, employment opportunities, school rankings, and overall family-friendliness, these cities consistently ranked high. Without further ado, here are the top ten best places to raise a family in Texas.
Schertz
A well-educated workforce and a high population of military veterans aided Schertz, Texas in ranking in the top 30 safest cities in Texas based on a study by Safewise. The San Antonio suburb also ranked in the top 20 of most family-friendly cities in Texas on Nerdwallet. With a population of around 33,000 and some excellent schools in the area, Schertz is a great place to raise a family if you're moving to the San Antonio area.
Cedar Park
Cedar Park is on the northwest side of Austin, and being so close to Texas's biggest boomtown is a big advantage for the small suburb. Austin's metro rail runs directly into Cedar Park, giving its citizens fast access to the downtown area, and its proximity to tech giants such as Dell, Samsung and Apple make it a fantastic place for those in the tech industry to live. In addition, Cedar Park was listed as the tenth safest city in the state of Texas by Safewise.
Flower Mound
Facebook/Town of Flower Mound, Texas
Families who value education will love the Dallas/Fort Worth suburb of Flower Mound, which has exemplary schools. Six local schools having been given the National Blue Ribbon of Excellence. In addition to that it has been called the fourth safest city in the state, and with its booming Lakeside business district, jobs are plentiful.
Lago Vista
Lago Vista is located on the north shore of Lake Travis near Austin. Its residents maintain a very high standard of living. The median annual income in the area is around $78,000, and a majority of residents hold college or graduate degrees. Lago Vista has an excellent school system, and boasts state level awards in band, theatre and baseball.
Hutto
With its low student-to-teacher ratios, low crime rate and short commute to Austin, Hutto is easily one of the best places to raise a family in Texas. Located Northeast of Austin in Williamson County, Hutto is close to the tech hub of Texas's capital city while also maintaining the safety and tranquility of rural suburbia.
Plano
Ranked number two on a Livability list of best places to raise a family in America, Plano has a lot going for it. This Dallas-area suburb has excellent schools, and many corporate headquarters such as Snapple, Cinemark and Dr Pepper afford families some terrific employment opportunities. Plano also ranked #1 on a Forbes list of the safest cities in America.
Fredericksburg
Aside from being the peach capital of Texas, Fredericksburg enjoys a student-to-teacher ratio as low as 12:1, and an unemployment rate as low as 4.3%. Fredericksburg is nestled in the Texas Hill Country and boasts rolling green hills and gorgeous vistas, alongside its low crime rate.
Frisco
One of Texas's fastest growing cities, Frisco has been voted one of Money Magazine's top 100 places to live in America. The median age of Frisco residents is 33, and the median income is $108,000, with houses hovering in the $250,000 range. Frisco was also ranked on Safewise's list of 50 safest cities in Texas.
Sugarland
Again and again, Sugarland, Texas has popped up on lists of best places to raise a family in the Lone Star State. Employment opportunities abound in the southwest Houston suburb, which is home to a new Texas Instruments facility, is the corporate headquarters of Minute Maid, and of course, the hometown of Imperial Sugar. Sugarland also ranked in the top 25 safest cities in Texas, and boasts a stellar school system to educate its constantly growing community.
Friendswood
Located south of Houston off I-45 is Friendswood. So named for its Quaker settlers, Friendswood has been voted one of the best places to raise a family in Texas on numerous ranking lists, and even netted number five on a list of best family cities in America by the magazine Family Circle. The south Houston suburb also snagged the number three spot of safest cities in Texas, and with ample jobs in the technology field and oil and gas industry available, Friendswood is the ultimate family-friendly city in Texas.
Sources: Nerdwallet, Niche, Zoomtens, Safewise, Movoto
