Posted by: Richie Bernardo

Ohio earned the name “The Heart of It All” not just for its heart shape but also for its cultural and environmental diversity. Home to three major cities — Cincinnati, Cleveland and Columbus — in addition to numerous small towns, Ohio boasts a colorful range of settings. But there are plenty of other reasons for families to love this part of the Midwest.

The Buckeye State, as it’s otherwise known, competes strongly against coastal states like California and Florida as the seventh-largest state economy by GDP. Plus, an unemployment rate of 4.8 percent — not too far from the nation’s 4.1 percent, as of November 2017 — coupled with 25 of the Fortune 500 companies should give parents confidence in Ohio’s job opportunities.

But a strong economy isn’t all Ohio has to offer. It has a rich culture and history as well as gorgeous scenery, including 130 nature preserves, the Appalachian Foothills in the southeast and the Lake Erie coastline in the north.

To identify the most family-friendly places in Ohio, WalletHub compared more than 180 of the state’s cities across 21 key indicators of ideal family conditions. Our data set ranges from the share of families with young children to median family income to housing affordability. Scroll down for the results, insight from a panel of experts and a detailed explanation of our methodology.

1. Main Findings
2. Ask the Experts
3. Methodology

Main Findings

 

Best Places to Raise a Family in Ohio

Overall Rank (1=Best)	State	Total Score	‘Family Life & Fun’ Rank	‘Education, Health & Safety’ Rank	‘Affordability’ Rank	‘Socio-economics’ Rank
1	Perrysburg, OH	77.80	2	1	4	12
2	Powell, OH	76.42	6	12	2	3
3	Mason, OH	73.04	49	16	1	11
4	Dublin, OH	72.46	18	11	12	2
5	Springboro, OH	70.17	73	17	5	6
6	Hilliard, OH	69.24	8	47	6	17
7	Bexley, OH	68.36	1	56	24	49
8	Hudson, OH	67.78	127	2	8	1
9	Beavercreek, OH	67.42	110	38	3	9
10	Westerville, OH	67.26	43	28	15	13
11	Worthington, OH	66.39	16	44	11	25
12	Upper Arlington, OH	64.09	39	21	65	10
13	Sylvania, OH	63.88	45	26	10	64
14	Loveland, OH	63.30	25	30	25	68
15	Pickerington, OH	62.79	30	45	51	37
16	Montgomery, OH	62.44	99	31	35	4
17	Marysville, OH	62.35	21	55	37	59
18	Brecksville, OH	62.31	162	9	21	15
19	Medina, OH	61.98	82	43	17	51
20	Mentor, OH	61.54	105	50	22	24
21	Clayton, OH	61.36	144	15	41	41
22	Delaware, OH	61.26	53	92	18	43
23	Macedonia, OH	60.97	181	29	14	5
24	Twinsburg, OH	60.65	131	19	59	20
25	Maumee, OH	60.27	29	64	31	69
26	Norton, OH	60.18	149	13	38	19
27	Centerville, OH	60.05	120	36	7	52
28	Stow, OH	60.00	136	57	40	16
29	Forestville, OH	59.98	41	171	9	45
30	Rocky River, OH	59.93	115	7	45	44
31	New Franklin, OH	59.74	182	25	27	14
32	Monroe, OH	59.72	84	72	28	50
33	Dent, OH	59.63	85	136	20	31
34	Strongsville, OH	59.32	172	63	19	21
35	North Canton, OH	59.31	148	5	58	47
36	Wadsworth, OH	58.66	111	62	13	70
37	Lebanon, OH	58.31	15	80	86	58
38	Avon, OH	58.25	69	77	46	36
39	North Ridgeville, OH	58.10	178	8	62	33
40	Gahanna, OH	58.08	62	78	78	34
41	Brunswick, OH	58.06	167	6	42	63
42	Bay Village, OH	57.91	158	81	16	29
43	Solon, OH	57.73	118	32	64	56
44	Broadview Heights, OH	57.73	176	20	55	27
45	Harrison, OH	57.65	83	86	72	23
46	Westlake, OH	57.50	155	39	60	30
47	Mack, OH	57.43	141	107	47	8
48	Celina, OH	57.42	36	73	67	79
49	Tiffin, OH	57.18	34	59	82	91
50	Monfort Heights, OH	56.99	90	154	39	26
51	Avon Lake, OH	56.69	151	52	36	39
52	Findlay, OH	56.46	14	106	83	77
53	Wooster, OH	56.25	12	37	154	95
54	Aurora, OH	56.22	161	14	90	48
55	Seven Hills, OH	56.13	185	10	29	7
56	Lyndhurst, OH	56.03	135	61	48	18
57	Berea, OH	55.91	147	41	33	85
58	Defiance, OH	55.90	54	42	105	102
59	Ashland, OH	55.79	31	33	113	110
60	Bridgetown, OH	55.79	67	175	26	55
61	Grove City, OH	55.42	63	131	92	28
62	Dover, OH	55.39	75	27	125	89
63	Bowling Green, OH	55.11	26	68	119	99
64	Green, OH	55.03	123	65	68	40
65	Urbana, OH	54.97	33	51	98	109
66	New Philadelphia, OH	54.96	97	4	128	107
67	Troy, OH	54.72	102	70	102	61
68	Shaker Heights, OH	54.60	104	119	23	72
69	Wickliffe, OH	54.47	166	66	32	62
70	Blue Ash, OH	54.39	77	83	114	22
71	Trenton, OH	54.06	44	130	44	108
72	Streetsboro, OH	53.99	113	34	97	84
73	Cuyahoga Falls, OH	53.40	87	71	75	104
74	Amherst, OH	53.31	150	67	57	80
75	University Heights, OH	53.30	109	118	49	46
76	Vandalia, OH	53.17	125	48	81	97
77	Miamisburg, OH	53.00	74	24	147	100
78	Beachwood, OH	52.99	146	102	69	42
79	Vermilion, OH	52.99	183	3	109	75
80	Willoughby, OH	52.98	156	79	50	65
81	Finneytown, OH	52.94	76	159	43	87
82	Oregon, OH	52.94	100	98	54	86
83	Englewood, OH	52.63	145	53	79	90
84	Eastlake, OH	52.53	160	75	71	60
85	Marietta, OH	52.50	11	40	142	140
86	Tallmadge, OH	52.37	138	60	111	74
87	South Euclid, OH	52.11	154	116	34	67
88	Salem, OH	51.97	72	35	123	126
89	North Royalton, OH	51.88	169	105	66	35
90	Sidney, OH	51.70	37	122	56	125
91	Kettering, OH	51.56	129	54	110	78
92	Willowick, OH	51.37	140	157	30	57
93	White Oak, OH	51.33	96	160	53	76
94	Fairfield, OH	51.20	112	123	94	54
95	Van Wert, OH	51.04	70	103	85	112
96	Fairborn, OH	51.02	60	109	77	114
97	Lakewood, OH	50.86	134	91	87	83
98	Fairview Park, OH	50.67	165	74	89	53
99	Athens, OH	50.30	4	18	184	141
100	Coshocton, OH	50.27	55	22	133	113
101	Norwalk, OH	50.20	57	23	171	120
102	Boardman, OH	50.13	152	114	63	66
103	Greenville, OH	50.11	61	58	139	122
104	Riverside, OH	49.95	50	99	144	103
105	Painesville, OH	49.89	46	113	91	128
106	North Olmsted, OH	49.86	171	148	96	38
107	Bellefontaine, OH	49.77	32	46	140	144
108	Middleburg Heights, OH	49.68	159	144	70	32
109	Parma, OH	49.67	157	82	95	71
110	Franklin, OH	49.66	81	126	52	121
111	Massillon, OH	49.29	116	84	99	115
112	Xenia, OH	49.21	94	93	103	124
113	Oxford, OH	49.21	114	49	88	138
114	Ironton, OH	49.11	103	90	93	134
115	Bucyrus, OH	48.94	80	69	124	129
116	Huber Heights, OH	48.89	121	132	73	81
117	Wilmington, OH	48.14	20	101	157	131
118	Reynoldsburg, OH	48.13	101	137	106	94
119	Pataskala, OH	47.97	106	156	84	92
120	Sharonville, OH	47.84	89	184	76	73
121	London, OH	47.76	66	94	152	116
122	Piqua, OH	47.54	86	115	104	127
123	East Liverpool, OH	47.27	64	97	101	147
124	Mount Vernon, OH	46.24	35	85	165	148
125	Forest Park, OH	46.19	122	104	122	106
126	Reading, OH	45.64	88	149	116	111
127	Austintown, OH	45.50	163	112	112	101
128	Parma Heights, OH	45.32	168	95	130	96
129	Newark, OH	45.31	42	125	167	132
130	Conneaut, OH	45.14	139	100	163	105
131	Cleveland Heights, OH	45.05	132	141	61	135
132	Fostoria, OH	44.69	48	129	100	163
133	Kent, OH	44.67	38	89	176	152
134	Fremont, OH	44.62	7	134	143	162
135	Sandusky, OH	44.61	10	127	159	164
136	Galion, OH	44.52	153	88	127	139
137	Northbrook, OH	44.38	107	142	107	133
138	Bedford, OH	44.04	130	108	108	149
139	West Carrollton, OH	43.78	128	87	138	146
140	Lancaster, OH	43.55	98	135	160	118
141	Heath, OH	43.29	71	162	170	93
142	Columbus, OH	43.07	23	169	166	119
143	Elyria, OH	43.01	108	110	131	156
144	Struthers, OH	42.74	174	117	74	151
145	Niles, OH	42.68	117	146	80	155
146	Mansfield, OH	42.23	22	166	126	157
147	Garfield Heights, OH	42.16	142	138	115	137
148	Barberton, OH	41.64	126	140	129	142
149	Marion, OH	41.58	40	143	155	159
150	Akron, OH	41.49	24	161	134	165
151	Alliance, OH	40.94	79	139	148	161
152	Ravenna, OH	40.87	68	111	168	158
153	Toledo, OH	40.87	3	176	132	168
154	Springdale, OH	40.83	65	172	145	117
155	Mayfield Heights, OH	40.44	133	183	149	82
156	Hamilton, OH	40.09	78	173	121	143
157	Ashtabula, OH	40.05	13	76	179	175
158	Richmond Heights, OH	39.83	184	120	150	98
159	Brook Park, OH	39.74	179	151	117	123
160	Chillicothe, OH	39.38	58	165	164	153
161	Springfield, OH	39.32	19	177	162	150
162	Brooklyn, OH	39.27	173	164	137	88
163	Cambridge, OH	39.15	28	96	185	170
164	Washington Court House, OH	38.90	137	133	177	130
165	Zanesville, OH	38.08	17	128	181	176
166	Lorain, OH	37.97	91	150	156	169
167	Portsmouth, OH	37.92	47	124	161	179
168	Norwood, OH	37.82	92	163	169	145
169	Steubenville, OH	37.22	124	155	158	160
170	Canton, OH	36.57	59	170	153	173
171	Middletown, OH	36.40	95	178	135	154
172	Warren, OH	36.24	93	147	141	181
173	Bedford Heights, OH	36.09	177	121	146	166
174	Euclid, OH	36.00	119	174	118	171
175	Circleville, OH	35.92	143	145	183	136
176	Youngstown, OH	35.55	56	167	136	183
177	Lima, OH	35.23	9	180	151	177
178	Cincinnati, OH	34.90	5	179	182	174
179	Maple Heights, OH	33.52	170	153	120	178
180	Trotwood, OH	32.29	175	158	172	167
181	Dayton, OH	31.06	52	181	173	180
182	Whitehall, OH	29.92	51	185	175	172
183	Warrensville Heights, OH	27.38	180	152	174	182
184	Cleveland, OH	25.77	27	182	180	184
185	East Cleveland, OH	22.83	164	168	178	185

 

Ask the Experts

Families share a number of common priorities, like safety, jobs and recreation, when choosing a new place to call home. With that in mind, we asked a panel of experts in fields such as family studies and public health to share their insight on choosing cities in Ohio. Click on the experts’ profiles below to read their bios and their thoughts on the following key questions:

1. What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Ohio?
2. How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?
3. Looking just within Ohio, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city in which they live?

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• Tina Stanton-Chapman Associate Professor and Associate Director of Early Childhood Education and Human Development in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services at the University of Cincinnati
• Eugene Geist Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Ohio University
• Anthony James Jr. Assistant Professor and Director of the Family Science Program at Miami University
• Dr. Thomas Knestrict Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Xavier University
• Baomei Zhao Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Akron
• William A. Mosier Professor of Early Childhood and Director of Research at the Lynda A. Cohen Center for the Study of Child Developmentat Wright State University
• Chad Malcolm Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education in the School of Education at Baldwin Wallace University

Tina Stanton-Chapman Associate Professor and Associate Director of Early Childhood Education and Human Development in the College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services at the University of Cincinnati

What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Ohio?

I recommend young families investigate the schools in a given community. Specifically, families should look beyond the overall test scores for a particular school. Test scores do not tell anything about the quality of the administration and teachers at a school. Caregivers should go inside the school to see if it appears safe. They should interview the principal to see how the principal advocates for his/her students within the school and the overall behavior management philosophy of the school. Families should visit classrooms to observe the instruction that is taking place. Families should look to see if students are having an active role in their learning (e.g., discussions, hands-on activities) or simply listening to a teacher lecture and then completing a worksheet.

A classroom observation can tell a family if the teacher has a positive relationship with the majority of his/her students. Does the teacher seem to respect his/her students? Do the students seem to respect the teacher? A school that doesn't allow a family to visit the school is a red flag that should raise concern.

How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?

Local officials should gather community input and read the appropriate research when making decisions and policies that will influence its current residents and future residents. For example, I helped build and design an inclusive playground in Green Township, Ohio (Cincinnati, Ohio). When the Green Township officials selected the playground proposal that I developed along with Eric Schmidt of Playground Equipment Services, they said they selected our playground proposal over others they received because it was based on the findings of our research studies and our understanding that the playground needed to "grow" with their community.

Although we were developing and building a permanent playground structure, the playground needed to be appropriate for current families and be appropriate for future families of all abilities for the next 20 years. In other words, community needs are continuously changing as families move and in and out of the area. This is critical for local officials to understand. Additionally, research should guide important decisions because local officials will learn what works and what does not work, so they can make the best informed decisions. They don't want to make a decision that already has be proven not to work in the research.

Looking just within Ohio, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in?

A child's development is influenced by his/her family and also by the neighborhood he/she resides in. If a child and his/her family reside in a community which is supportive to his/her development (i.e., quality schools, inclusive playgrounds where families can meet for social interactions), then he/she will have positive outcomes (e.g., better social skills, school success, preparation for the work force and/or college). A community that invests in its schools, its offerings to families, and plans and offers events for its residents will provide a stable foundation which allows positive growth in children.

Eugene Geist Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Ohio University

What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Ohio?

Don’t trust the ratings that are available on just about every real estate site. Visit the schools in person and make an appointment to talk with the principal and the teachers if possible. Every school has a personality of sorts and you should get a feel for that school. If possible, talk to parents in the area to get their take on the school. Is it a “back to basics” school that focuses on raising test scores, or is it more project-based, where students are allowed to discuss and interact? Do children sit in desks quietly or are they encouraged to talk, discuss and move around? Which do you feel more comfortable with?

How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?

Encourage more affordable infant and toddler programs in the area. If there is one thing that is in short supply and usually has long waiting lists, it is high-quality, affordable infant and toddler care. Mostly because it is not a moneymaker for centers, since the child/student ratio is required to be much higher than in preschools. Also, there is the hassle of feeding and diaper changing that many centers would rather avoid. Because of this, it is often very difficult for young families to find good care for their infant and toddler. With both parents usually working, this is a huge concern for families. If their child is not well cared for, they will not be as productive at their job.

Looking just within Ohio, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in?

Greatly. In larger cities, child care (especially infant and toddler) is available, if hard to find. However, in more rural areas, such as Southeast Ohio/Appalachian Ohio, programs are much less available. Staffing concerns for those programs in rural areas are also problems. Again, affordability becomes an issue, since many of these areas also have high levels of poverty and low availability of services. Head Start and Early Head Start programs are a critical lifeline to families in these areas, and they are the programs that are on the chopping block because of new federal policies.

For many larger cities, there are often numerous choices for child care, however, infant and toddler care is harder to find. Also, these programs are not always of high-quality. Parents need to learn how to tell if a child care center is high-quality or not. An easy way in Ohio is the “Step Up To Quality” rating system which is a “star” type of accreditation system. The more stars, the higher the quality (in theory). Another way is to look for NAEYC Accreditation. The National Association for the Education of Young Children offers a rigorous accreditation system for programs serving young children. It covers everything from curriculum to safety. Parents should also visit the center and talk with the staff. If they do not feel comfortable, then they should ask lots of questions.

Anthony James Jr. Assistant Professor and Director of the Family Science Program at Miami University

What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Ohio?

Check the Report Card Lists and Rankings for schools, and for housing, I would check out the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?

I think cities can be upfront about what amenities they provide for families, specifically for child care and leisure activities.

Looking just within Ohio, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in?

I would say the vast majority of families with children value these two things over most issues. Unfortunately, families are not able to secure the resources to pay for quality child care, but this is an issue that determines quite a bit about where a family lives and where they spend their money.

Dr. Thomas Knestrict Associate Professor of Early Childhood Education at Xavier University

What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Ohio?

The state of Ohio, and probably other states as well, publish a grade card for school districts. They will offer a general overview of the quality of the school district they might be interested in. If I were planning on moving to an area, that is probably where I would start first. However, it is an overview -- a view from about 10,000 feet. So, the place that would be a most accurate view would be on the ground level and realtors, and general “word of mouth” will give you the most accurate information. The state report cards also don't tell you anything about the intangibles, like extracurricular activities.

I live in Mason, Ohio. I live in a neighborhood that has a lot of folks from other countries that came here to work for P&G, General Electric or other corporations in Cincinnati. They come from countries where the only good schools for their children are the private schools. When I talk with them, I find out they decided specifically on Mason because of the schools. The housing was secondary. My neighbor from Panama told me that a house is a house, but the schools are why we came to Mason. They found out about the schools through P&G. The word of mouth was so good that they came and visited the schools and were sold immediately. So, ask co-workers and potential neighbors as well. Call the district and ask if you can visit and spend a day in the school you are looking at for your kid. My experience, after 30 years in education, is that good schools will be very happy to have you come visits. If they don't want you to visit, that would raise “red flags” for me.

How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?

Support and front the schools -- make schools the priority. It benefits everyone. Property values rise, they draw people, potentially, from all over the world. Once the schools draw them in, then the city can sell the family on services, recreation, financial opportunities, etc. The schools are the driving force. Even my friends who send their kids to Catholic schools in the area agree that a quality public school system is the driver of all of the rest.

I like the fact that the city of Mason has a wide range of housing options. They are lacking in more affordable rental property, so the range of SES is not as broad as I would like to see. Lakota schools in West Chester have done a better job of this. I am also a bit cynical and believe that some cities do this intentionally to limit the number of lower-income folks moving into Mason. I am for a more diverse and a broader sample of SES. It makes a school district stronger. Better.

Providing a broad range of services for kids with special needs, learning differences, etc. while maintaining high achievement is also looked at carefully by incoming families. The more offered, the better.

Looking just within Ohio, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in?

Huge -- Bronfenbrenner’s whole theory (Ecological Model of Human Development) was based on this idea. As human beings, we all develop in a predictable fashion, however, the environment, or ecosystem as he would put it, can dramatically influence child development in all realms. The research is pretty strong and suggests that quality daycare, schools, extracurricular activities and all of the economic benefits that are products of good schools can create optimal ecosystems for learning and growing. Likewise, poverty, low-quality schools and the economic weights that are created by these negative influences do not create optimal ecosystems, and in fact are counterproductive to growth.

There is lots of data to support the notion that where you live matters and influences how a child grows and develops. There is a direct correlation between the success of the schools and the desirability of a given area. Better schools -- more people want to raise their family there. There are examples of families moving from homes that they owned in urban Cincinnati, and renting an apartment in Mason specifically so their kids could go to Mason schools. That is impressive and all of us should be behind these types of schools.

Baomei Zhao Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Akron

How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?

Affordable housing is of paramount importance in the past, present, and future. Young couples or parents today have to wrestle with having insurmountable student loan debt while employment is not secured. Reliable and easily accessible public transportation such as buses, trains and subways could also potentially invite an economic boom for cities in terms of employment and attractions. Community resources such as libraries, fitness centers, shopping plazas, and parks and playgrounds would certainly entice young families to move to a city. Lastly, diverse cultural enhancement for the public should be offered on a regular basis, which will promote understandings and interactions among different groups/races, thus building strong and healthy communities.

Looking just within Ohio, to what degree is child development and a family’s quality of life influenced by the city they live in?

The child development and a family's quality of life is closely related to the individual’s, family’s and community’s resources. Time, money and health are the most influential resources. Hence, we may use time, money and health as the key concepts to evaluate the city’s positive influence to people’s quality of life:

• Time -- time of emergency response, life expectancy, and infant mortality;
• Money -- residents’ free access to museums, transportations, and recreation activities;
• Health -- health insurance discounts for residents, vaccine service, and regular free health consultant services.

Of course, since the resources are limited, the city needs to have a priority to cover different groups/populations:

• Individual -- children first;
• Family -- military families first.

I came to Akron in 2005. I have noticed that Ohio public schools have been funded relying on property taxes. Unsurprisingly, this means that higher-income neighborhoods where families can afford to buy nice houses instead of renting receive more funding for public schools. Poverty-stricken areas are left with less funding simply because their property taxes are lower. The gap between the lower middle class/working poor and the upper middle class has grown quickly in recent years, and a direct result of this income gap is the disparity in third grade level reading proficiency. In Summit County alone, third graders attending Akron public schools score lower on reading proficiency tests than their counterparts in higher-income neighborhoods in the same county, like Macedonia and Stow. I am certain that these results are mimicked throughout the rest of the state.

Our vulnerable families in Ohio are left at an even bigger disadvantage, because their children are not receiving the same quality of education as their higher-income counterparts. Education is the number one influencing factor in determining poverty rates later on in life. Therefore, the state of Ohio needs to address the issue of public school funding swiftly and immediately, because doing so will improve the quality of life for families and children for years to come. True education equity would be achieved by providing more state funds to low-income neighborhood public schools.

William A. Mosier Professor of Early Childhood and Director of Research at the Lynda A. Cohen Center for the Study of Child Developmentat Wright State University

What are some tips for young families looking for quality public schools and affordable housing in Ohio?

The state of Ohio is the home of cities with affordable housing (Cleveland, Columbus, and Dayton). There are plenty of locations for young families to choose from. However, it is important to look carefully at the quality of education of school districts provide before committing to buying a home.

How can local officials in Ohio make their cities more attractive to young families?

Dayton was the first city in the United States to be certified as an immigrant-friendly city by

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