Nerdwallet.com has put together a list of the best cities for young families in Georgia, with Effingham County's own Rincon coming in at No. 1. Richmond Hill in Bryan County is No. 5. The closest Chatham County got to the top 10 is Pooler, which was ranked at 22.
See more details below, and check out the full study (and find out how Port Wentworth, Garden City, Savannah and other cities did) by clicking here
Young families seeking Southern charm, excellent schools and plenty of outdoor recreation can find it all in Georgia.
Peach State residents enjoy mild winters and hot, humid summers that are perfect for laid-back families. From small country towns to quaint coastal areas and bustling historic cities, Georgia has something for everyone. But one of the biggest attractions is the lower cost of living: the median home price in Georgia is just $128,100.
Key takeaways
NerdWallet’s second analysis of the best places for young families revealed some trends:
Small towns are big. The average population of the top cities is just over 14,100 people, and half of the places have less than 10,000 people. The top 10 on our list range from the small town of Flowery Branch with 5,800 people to the small city of Evans, home to 31,739.
Incomes are higher. Family income is higher for all of the places on our list with an average of $70,000 — well above the state average of $53,029. The highest average family income is nearly $97,500 in Evans, while the lowest is just shy of $50,000 in Cusseta.
Lots of families live here. The cities on our list have a high number of family households — married couples with children under age 18. On average, each town’s population is about 34% families, which is almost double the statewide average.
NerdWallet’s analysis
Home affordability. We looked at median home value and selected monthly homeowner costs to prioritize affordable communities.
Prosperity and growth. Looking at current and past family incomes, we calculated the income of residents, as well as the projected long-term growth of each city.
Quality of education. We looked at ratings at GreatSchools.org to find the best schools.
Family friendliness. This year, we added a new component to our methodology — the percentage of families with school-age children and the poverty rate for young children. This measure helps determine if an area is not only affordable for families, but if it is also a healthy one for children.
NerdWallet crunched the data for 156 places in Georgia— cities, towns and census-designated places. Only places with over 5,000 residents were analyzed. To see the full data set, click here.
Best places for young families in Georgia
1. Rincon
At the top of our list is Rincon, which was once a late-19th-century railroad town in the suburbs of Savannah. It’s now the biggest city in Effingham County, with a population of 9,074 — and 38% of those residents belong to a family household. Median home values are a bit pricier than the state median, but incomes are higher, too, about $71,000 for a median family. The public schools boast an overall GreatSchools score of 9 out of 10. The city caters to active families and its recreation department is planning a new gym and community center.
2. Cusseta
Cusseta, in Chattahoochee County, has the lowest median home values on our list, making it an excellent town for thrifty families. The city boasts several programs geared toward families, especially options focused on educational readiness and success with services such as child care that offer free meals and tuition grants based on need.
3. Evans
Evans, a suburb of Augusta, is the largest city on our list with a population of 31,739. Housing prices are the highest on our list by a long shot, but family incomes are also high, with a median of over $97,000. Students attend the Columbia County Public School System, which received a GreatSchools score of 9. Year-round events at Evans Town Center Park feature music and festivals in a setting that includes a playground, fountain, splash pad, picnic tables and bicycles available to rent.
4. Holly Springs
Holly Springs, originally a farming and railroad town, is about 30 miles north of Atlanta. Young families will find lots of company: nearly 40% of the 9,411 residents are part of a family. Holly Springs is in the Cherokee County School District, which has a strong GreatSchools score of 8. The city holds events throughout the year, including an annual Easter Egg Hunt, a Great American Cleanup, the Memorial Day 5K and Fun Run, Autumn Festival and a Christmas tree lighting and parade. The city is set to open its third park this summer.
5. Richmond Hill
Richmond Hill is a small coastal city south of Savannah with a population of 9,944. The median home value is high — about $172,800 — but family incomes are bigger as well. Students attend the Bryan County School District, which earned a GreatSchools rating of 9. The city hosts the annual Great Ogeechee Seafood Festival and other events throughout the year. Families can take a drive on the Coastal Bryan Heritage Trail or enjoy outdoor recreation at several parks and the Fort McAllister State Park, which features a Civil War fort and museum.
6. Jefferson
Jefferson, a city named for Thomas Jefferson, is about an hour outside Atlanta, in Jackson County. The population is 9,503, and about 30% of residents live in a family household. Students go to the Jefferson City School District, which has a GreatSchools score of 9 out of 10. The city is home to an outdoor agricultural museum, a community theater and several parks. The city hosts events throughout the year from the annual Freedom Festival to live music in the downtown square and the holiday market.
7. Buford
Buford is a small city that straddles Gwinnett and Hall counties. Here home values are higher than the state median, and the schools also have higher numbers with a GreatSchools score of 9 out of 10. The town hosts outdoor movies and concerts at the Main Street Park and Amphitheater. For sports and other activities, families head to the Buford Youth Sports Complex.
8. Kingsland
Kingsland, located in Camden County, is a small city with a population of about 16,000. Kingsland was featured by Oprah in “Lovetown, USA” a reality documentary on OWN that challenged a community to become more loving in a month. To keep up with the city’s growth, four new elementary schools and a new high school were built in a place that received an 8 at GreatSchools. There are plenty of outdoor activities — from Cumberland Island to the city’s diverse bodies of water, which include rivers, marshlands, tidal creeks and lakes.
9. Flowery Branch
Flowery Branch, nestled in the foothills of Blue Ridge Mountain in Hall County, is the smallest city on our list with 5,829 people. Residents here have seen their income grow over 120% from 1999 to 2013. The town is part the Georgia Main Street/Better Hometown Program, which helps communities revitalize downtown and neighborhood business districts. New housing developments are popping up and median home values are on the higher end at $191,600. Flowery Branch has a historic main street, train depot and museum, but its main claim to fame since 2005 is the city’s role as the training site for the Atlanta Falcons.
10. Woodstock
Woodstock is one of the bigger small cities on our list with a population of 24,774. Home values here are high, about $180,000, but family income is also higher at a median of $84,246. Woodstock’s economic roots reach back to the days of railroads, gristmills, cotton and gold mining. Like students in Holly Springs, children here attend the exceptional and large Cherokee County School District. The city’s outdoor attractions include several parks, the 12,000-acre Lake Allatoona, mountain bike trails at Blankets Creek, stock-car racing and performances at the Elm Street Cultural Arts Village. The city is in the process of developing a 60-mile network of multiuse trails and green space.