2017’s Best Places to Raise a Family in Tennessee
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Known for its storied past, rich musical culture, picture-perfect scenery and mouthwatering barbecue, Tennessee is a destination for the books. But Southern charm isn’t the state’s only selling point. Many visitors end up starting a new chapter of their lives here, where family-friendly qualities abound.
Tennessee, for one, ranks No. 9 on WalletHub’s “Best & Worst States for Jobs” ranking and is especially suitable for working moms, outperforming 37 states in professional opportunities for women. That comes as no surprise, considering Tennessee is home to several of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. Plus, families’ earnings go a long way: Besides having the fifth lowest cost of living in the nation, Tennessee does not tax wages and salaries.
But some cities in the Volunteer State are more conducive than others to family life. To identify those places, WalletHub’s data team compared 58 cities across 21 key livability indicators. Our data set ranges from housing affordability to quality of school system to unemployment rate. Read on for the full ranking, experts’ take on certain family matters and our detailed methodology.
Main FindingsEmbed on your website<iframe src="//d2e70e9yced57e.cloudfront.net/wallethub/embed/36936/geochart.html" width="556" height="347" frameBorder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe> <div style="width:556px;font-size:12px;color:#888;">Source: <a href="http://ift.tt/2uNqyZ0;
|
Overall Rank |
City |
Total Score |
Effective |
Annual |
Difference |
Annual |
Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 5.69% | $3,066 | -46.85% | $4,237 | 6 | |
| 2 | Delaware | 6.02% | $3,246 | -43.74% | $3,830 | 1 | |
| 3 | Montana | 6.92% | $3,728 | -35.37% | $3,561 | 3 | |
| 4 | Wyoming | 7.45% | $4,015 | -30.40% | $4,312 | 2 | |
| 5 | Nevada | 7.72% | $4,161 | -27.86% | $4,028 | 7 |
William Taylor Instructor of Sociology and Social & Behavioral Sciences at Chattanooga State Community College
Junior L. High Director of Undergraduate Education and Professor of Education at Lipscomb University
Suzan Puhl Murphy Distinguished Lecturer in Finance in the Haslam College of Business at The University of Tennessee
John K. Coffey Assistant Professor of Psychology at Sewanee: The University of the South
James Fraser Associate Professor in the Department of Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University
What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Tennessee? Educational outcomes correlate closely with class, so housing prices will strongly predict educational outcomes for area schools. Does that mean that the highest quality public schools are in the wealthiest neighborhoods? Not necessarily. Schools in wealthier areas post higher scores because the children have the most educational advantages. Obviously, not every family can afford to move into the city's most expensive neighborhood. But research suggests that mixed income public schools perform quite well, and mitigate compounding negative effects of concentrated poverty and racial segregation. My advice for young families would be to look for affordable housing in an area zoned for a diverse, mixed-income public school that offers a broad curriculum and lots of extracurricular opportunities. How can local officials in Tennessee make their cities more attractive to young families?
- Subsidized childcare;
- Healthcare;
- Stable jobs;
- Public libraries;
- Public parks;
- Recreation opportunities;
- Quality of life.
What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Tennessee? Having been a public school educator for 31 years in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, my first piece of advice is to personally visit local schools, and determine for one’s self what he/she finds about the quality that exists in the public schools in our area. We have outstanding schools, with outstanding teachers and leaders. The problem that many newcomers will face is public perception of the school system. I find that many of those opinions come from individuals who have never been in or near one of the schools. I also know that many real estate agents steer family choice to surrounding counties. I would also add that a major strength of our local school system is the diversity that exists in most schools. This landscape of experience provides students with an opportunity to know and understand others through experience. As to affordable housing, this is fast becoming an issue in the greater Nashville area. Gentrification has become highly regarded throughout the area, resulting in a housing shortage. This has become more difficult for young families who may be seeking a first home. There have recent developments in our local government to seek more affordable options. How can local officials in Tennessee make their cities more attractive to young families? Education is a primary focus of our local Chamber of Commerce, indicating the fact that public officials realize the necessity of a strong public education system for the economic health of our community. Priority is being given to development of communities that have mixed ownership and value. Several members of the faith community have embraced the work of our local schools, and have chosen to become partners in the process of meeting the needs of all children. We are fortunate to have a dynamic mayor who is an advocate for residents and needs of communities. Project PENCIL (Public Education Needs Community Involvement and Leadership) has been an active partner with the local schools since 1982. The leadership and support of the community business and faith partnerships have provided great resources for individual schools. Looking just within Tennessee, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in? An intentional effort has been underway for many years to improve the quality of life for the citizenry of our metropolitan area. Attention to both the physical and mental health of families is reflected in the infrastructure that is being designed and built in the area. A great deal of support has been given to development of “green space” that connects communities and offers many recreational opportunities for families. The faith community in our area is very strong, allowing families a choice in spiritual matters. The many differences that exist among the different faith groups are embraced and celebrated. Emphasis is being given to early childhood development, through funding that supplements the budget provided by our state government. Suzan Puhl Murphy Distinguished Lecturer in Finance in the Haslam College of Business at The University of Tennessee 
What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Tennessee? Look at the TCAP scores for the public schools. How can local officials in Tennessee make their cities more attractive to young families?
- Invest in green areas, like parks;
- Promote kid-friend events, like farmer’s markets, fireworks displays;
- Encourage dog-friendly events.
What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Tennessee? Housing and education are two important factors, but I will also highlight some things young families often overlook. No matter where you live, public school quality and affordable housing are linked, such that as the quality of schools goes up, so do housing cost. The good news is that housing prices in Tennessee are much lower than many other parts of the country. Although it would be ideal to have both, a quality public school system can raise property values, forcing young families to prioritize one over the other. Further, in Tennessee, we do not have a statewide income or property tax, meaning funding has to come from other sources, such as sales tax and local property tax. Areas with fewer people and lower property taxes might be appealing, but they usually have less money for quality public education and other family resources. This isn't always the case, so check school ratings. Thus, there may be some trade-offs when considering homes and schools, but a quality public school system can save tens of thousands of dollars in future educational cost, if you can avoid paying for a private school ($5,000-20,000 or more per year, per child) or if your child earns a college scholarship (savings of $1,000-50,000 per year). Even early education programs (e.g., Head Start) and high-quality day cares can have financial benefits for children decades later, so those with or expecting to have young children should also research them. Ideally, if young families can find the pockets (look in suburbs or outside larger cities) with quality schools and affordable housing, they will likely see long-term benefits by prioritizing quality education over getting their dream home, or even a higher income. That is to say, you can usually find a really nice house at a great price when schools are low-quality, but that might actually cost more if the schools, preschools, and daycares are lower quality or lacking. Finally, a strong sense of community, where people are supportive and work together, can really help. How can local officials in Tennessee make their cities more attractive to young families? Cities looking to attract young people should prioritize family-friendly policies and networks, and seek to bring in businesses that take care of their employees. Good health facilities, family leave policies, child care, early education, after school programs, and public school systems will all appeal to young families -- especially if they are safe and have affordable housing options. These programs also have many long-term benefits for the community. Many parents prioritize benefits that support their families (e.g., generous parental leave policies) over higher incomes, which businesses and cities may overlook. This tends to pay off over the long run, as it can result in healthier children and parents (less time away from work, lower health care costs), more educational success, and less legal problems as children get older. Parents are less likely to change jobs or move (benefiting the communities). Looking just within Tennessee, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in? Although children can be resilient, it is easy to overlook the many ways communities can impact a child's early development, because it isn't always obvious. Tennessee has some areas that offer many of these child development resources that I mentioned above, but it also has some areas that have low-quality schools, limited access to health services, or higher crime rates. Often, these problems are because of limited financial resources (people or money). Long-term sources of stress like these can take a toll on parents and their children, so finding cities or communities that are family-centric can have large psychological, educational, health, and financial benefits for families. James Fraser Associate Professor in the Department of Human and Organizational Development at Vanderbilt University 
How can local officials in Tennessee make their cities more attractive to young families? I believe that the way local officials are making the city attractive to families is by affirming that diversity is what Nashville stands for. No matter what your background, family type, or any other identity is, we are an open community that embraces diversity.
Methodology
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