11 Best Cities to Live in Texas for Families
- The Woodlands
- Coppell
- Southlake
- Fulshear
- Wimberly
- Friendswood
- University Park
- Frisco
- Flower Mound
- Trophy Club
- Leander
1. The Woodlands
The Woodlands is the best place to raise a family in Texas. This successful, 27-acre planned community is a suburb of Houston and was first developed in the 1970s as one of the state’s first fully integrated hometowns. Today, the city is home to roughly 114,000 people and is praised for its abundance of beautiful parks, scenic walking trails, well-maintained golfing communities, and live music festivals.
Residents in this area can also take advantage of its booming economy, excellent school systems, low crime rates, and easy access to downtown Houston. The Woodlands is also one of the richest cities in Texas, with home prices averagine $529k.
2. Coppell
The second best place to live in Texas for families is Coppell. An affluent bedroom community situated in the Dallas-Fortworth area, this thriving community is home to about 42,000 people who prefer the area for its small-town atmosphere. Local amenities in this area include several local parks, farmer’s markets, golf clubs, and recreation centers. Home prices in this area average $609k, and the per capita income rate hold steady at about $67k. And, with the overall crime rate that is half the state average, Coppell is another well-rounded area for raising a family in Texas.
3. Southlake
Southlake is another one of the best places for families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. This town is situated more on the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex and is home to just over 31,000 people. Those who live in Southlake can appreciate its laid-back atmosphere and small-town charm – a significant contrast to other suburbs in this area. But, because downtown Fort Worth is only a short 30-minute ride away, residents of this tightly-knit community are never far from an abundance of urban amenities. High home values and per capita income rates in Southlake help to make it a desirable area among Texas families.
4. Fulshear
Another suburb of Houston, Fulshear is universally considered a great area for families in Texas. This city sits about 34 miles from downtown Dallas and was originally established as a small countryside community. The city is home to just over 25,000 people and has become a popular area for Texas families.
In particular, this city is known for its beautiful scenery and thriving local cotton, rice, soybean, poultry, sorghum, and ranching industries. Additionally, this city possesses a welcoming and hospitable atmosphere that can be difficult to find in other parts of the state. As one of the safest places to live in Texas, Fulshear is also an excellent choice among families interested in safety and security.
5. Wimberley
Wimberley is another fantastic place to raise a family in Texas. Located in Hays County, about 40 miles southwest of Austin and 60 miles northeast of San Antonio, Wimberly is a quiet village with a population of just under 3,000 residents. It’s home to a range of family-friendly attractions, from Blue Hole Regional Park to the Wimberley Zip Line. The Wimberley Independent School District is one of the best in the state, and Wimberley High School boasts a 96% graduation rate. The town also offers Southern hospitality, community spirit, and an average home price of $552,837.
6. Friendswood
Located directly between Houston and Galveston is Friendswood, another one of the best places to live for Texas families. This is a progressive, urban city with some of the safest streets in the entire state. The area is also known for its accessibility and is central to several major airports, deep water ports, main roads, and railways. Friendswood also offers both expansion assistance and several economic development incentives, making it an excellent choice for local business professionals. Its local demographics include a wealthy, well-educated resident base, which helps to keep the local overall crime rate well below both state and national averages. All of this, plus the area’s great home prices and per capita income rates, make Friendswood a popular choice among Texas families.
7. University Park
In addition to being another one of the best places for families in Dallas, University Park is also one of the richest. This district sits just north of Downtown Dallas – only a short 14-minute drive from everything the inner city has to offer – and is loved for its rows of luxury homes and affluent resident base. In 2018, it was even ranked the second-wealthiest city in the nation based on data from the American Community Survey. The town’s namesake, Southern Methodist University, attracts students and young professionals alike, which creates an influx of younger residents. Even so, the local community strives to keep its streets well-maintained and provides its residents with chic shopping options, abundant local greenspaces, and a stunning real estate market. High average home prices, lofty per capita income, and low crime rates make University Park a part of Texas’ best.
8. Frisco
Frisco is one of the best places in Texas for family-friendly fun. This area is home to an abundance of activities for the whole family, which include over seventy miles of hiking and biking trails, art installations, sporting events, and museums. Particular favorites in this area include the National Videogame Museum, Texas Sculpture Garden, and the Dallas Cowboys practice facility – otherwise known as The Star. With over 210,000 residents, Frisco is the largest city on this list and is perfect for families needing a larger urban environment. With so many fun things to do, it’s no wonder that Frisco is becoming increasingly popular among Texas families.
9. Flower Mound
Named after the 12.5-acre flower mound in the center of town, Flower Mound is another of Texas’ best cities for families. This area is ideally situated between Grapevine Lake and Lake Lewisville and possesses an abundance of green spaces, walking trails, biking paths, and equestrian centers. The community here is active, well-organized, and generally white-collar – all of which helps to keep the local crime rate well below the state average. With various concerts, arts festivals, 5k races, and more, it’s no surprise that Money magazine recently ranked Flower Mound as the nation’s fourth “Best Place to Live” for 2022-2023.
10. Trophy Club
Trophy Club is a prosperous area that has long been known as a great area for Texas families. Hailed for its acres of greenspaces, parks, golfing communities, and lake access, this area has a per capita income of more than double the state average. The residents of Trophy Club are typically well-educated professionals, with 97.1% holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. This highly educated residence base, along with an abundance of major local employers, keep the area’s workforce saturated and poverty levels low. Overall, Trophy Club is also perfect for health-conscious individuals who want to raise a family.
11. Leander
Leander is another one of the best places in Texas to raise a family. It’s a peaceful city in Travis and Williamson Counties, located about 28 miles northwest of Austin, and is home to 74,375 residents. Considered a growing suburb of Austin, Leader is a popular destination for families because it offers low crime, good schools, and access to parks and outdoor recreation. The crime rate in Leander is 12% lower than the rest of Texas and roughly on par with the national average. The Leander Independent School District is one of the best in the Austin area, and the city is close to notable attractions like Texas Paintball and the Austin Aquarium. It’s also fairly affordable, and the average home price is $465,811.