Top 100: Best Cities to Raise a Family in the Midwest

Relocating to a new part of the country can be an intimidating task, especially if you’re moving your entire family. As more of the population shifts to a remote work lifestyle, many are rethinking where they live and want to find the best city for raising their kids.

The Midwest is known for its friendly people, wide-open spaces, cheap land, and slower-paced lifestyle that differs greatly from other areas of the country.

According to the 2019 U.S. Census report, America’s so-called “heartland” accounted for roughly 21% of the nation's population. From North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio - more than 68 million people call the Midwest home.

If open spaces, low cost of living, four-seasons, and friendly people are your thing, then this list of Top 100: Best Places to Raise a Family in the Midwest will help you get started determining where you may want to move.

Dwellics analyzed data on over 10,000 Midwestern cities to compile a list of the Top 100: Best Places to Raise a Family in the Midwest. Among the ranking factors included quality of education, community (percentage of married households with school-aged children), climate comfort (days between 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit), infrastructure (number of parks, outdoor activities, internet speeds), safety (natural disaster risks, crime), and finances (childcare costs, property prices, and cost of living).