The most family friendly places in a state are the places that have the best neighborhoods, the best schools, the best shopping, and the most family friendly amenities; and, folks, Alabama has some of the best in the South.
Where are the most family friendly places in the The Yellowhammer State? You’re going to have to take a look below at HomeSnacks list of the best places to raise your family in Alabama for 2024 to find out.
But first, how did we determine the most family friendly places in Alabama? We consulted the US Census on places in The Heart of Dixie with more than 10,000 residents. We looked at several factors: crime, education, family friendly activities, and the percent of households that currently have children. We ended up with 52 family friendly Alabama places that any family would be lucky to call home.
Matter of fact, if you ask any Alabamian, they will tell you that Alabama is the best and that their corner of the state is above the rest. They will also tell you that what the state doesn’t make up in wealth, they make up in friendly people and fun things to do and see.
Speaking of family friendly entertainment, when Alabama families are ready for some fun in the sun, there is plenty of family friendly fun to be had. We think the best family day in this southern paradise would go something like this: first, a trip to the Birmingham Zoo; then, a visit to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville.
So, want to see a list of Alabama’s best places for families? Read on.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In Alabama For 2024
There might be some surprises on this list, but when you look at the unbiased data, it’s hard to argue against the numbers. We’ve had more than ten million people read our published articles and we’ve been featured in hundreds of media outlets for our best of the best rankings, including this Alabama Patch feature. So, yes, we know what we’re talking about.
What city is the best place to raise a family in Alabama? Well according to the US Census Helena is the best of the best if you care about a good education, low crime, and a high quality of life. And we’re pretty sure that you do.
To see how your favorite places in Alabama compared, take a look at the list below; and if you don’t see it there, head to the bottom.
More reading about Alabama and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In Alabama
- Cheapest Places To Live In Alabama
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Alabama For 2024
/10
Population: 21,036
Median Income: $107,360
Average Home Price: $344,616
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 39
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 40.6%
More on Helena: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 38,600
Median Income: $127,582
Average Home Price: $517,867
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 55
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 34.6%
More on Vestavia Hills: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 22,259
Median Income: $167,007
Average Home Price: $887,856
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 40
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 42.5%
More on Mountain Brook: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 27,557
Median Income: $97,366
Average Home Price: $496,963
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 49
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 35.7%
More on Homewood: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 24,221
Median Income: $94,108
Average Home Price: $300,946
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 40
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 32.6%
More on Pelham: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 91,995
Median Income: $101,765
Average Home Price: $423,088
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 60
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 33.6%
More on Hoover: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 27,861
Median Income: $80,657
Average Home Price: $317,169
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 64
Closest Major City: New Orleans
Households with kids: 34.0%
More on Daphne: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 12,292
Median Income: $67,159
Average Home Price: $237,534
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 41
Closest Major City: Birmingham
Households with kids: 30.0%
More on Leeds: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 215,025
Median Income: $67,874
Average Home Price: $276,878
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 100
Households with kids: 24.5%
More on Huntsville: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
/10
Population: 15,414
Median Income: $64,876
Average Home Price: $231,775
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 58
Closest Major City: Huntsville
Households with kids: 32.5%
More on Hartselle: Data | Cost Of Living | Real Estate
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in Alabama anyways?
To give you the places in Alabama that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of Alabama, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 10,000 people. For Alabama, that meant a total of 52 cities.
We updated this article for 2024. This is our tenth time ranking the best cities for families in Alabama.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In Alabama
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in Alabama ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in Alabama are Helena, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Pelham, Hoover, Daphne, Leeds, Huntsville, and Hartselle.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles Alabama according to the data:
- Bessemer
- Ozark
- Prichard
For more Alabama reading, check out:
Best Places For Families In Alabama
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena, AL | 21,036 | $107,360 | $344,616 | 57 |
| 2 | Vestavia Hills, AL | 38,600 | $127,582 | $517,867 | 36 |
| 3 | Mountain Brook, AL | 22,259 | $167,007 | $887,856 | 59 |
| 4 | Homewood, AL | 27,557 | $97,366 | $496,963 | 45 |
| 5 | Pelham, AL | 24,221 | $94,108 | $300,946 | 59 |
| 6 | Hoover, AL | 91,995 | $101,765 | $423,088 | 56 |
| 7 | Daphne, AL | 27,861 | $80,657 | $317,169 | 52 |
| 8 | Leeds, AL | 12,292 | $67,159 | $237,534 | 62 |
| 9 | Huntsville, AL | 215,025 | $67,874 | $276,878 | 104 |
| 10 | Hartselle, AL | 15,414 | $64,876 | $231,775 | 54 |