America's Best, Affordable Places to Raise Kids

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While low taxes are attractive, schools are the paramount concern for many young families. Rowland High School in California was ranked as one of the country's top high schools, according to the school district's website. Schools in Niles, which belong to several school districts, outperform the Illinois average; in 2007 the fine arts program at Niles Township High School District 219 was recognized by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington.

Quality of life issues also play a role in persuading families to make a move. Many communities in Businessweek.com's ranking offer services for families. Niles, for example, provides free local bus service from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and maintains a well-regarded teen center that provides homework assistance and organizes social activities.

An Older Neighborhood Grows Younger

Ohio's North College Hill, a city of 9,778, will open a community center in an old school building early next year for intergenerational and family activities, says Mayor Dan Brooks. "It's an older neighborhood that is getting younger" as more families have moved in the last four years, says Brooks, who is developing new city programs for the demographic.

As values evolve, will large numbers of families continue to settle in such places for homes, schools, and public services? The Population Reference Bureau's study shows that from 2000 through 2009, the nation's married share of people aged 25 to 34 plunged to 45 percent, from 55 percent. And while Fannie Mae's survey found that having children has traditionally increased the likelihood that someone will buy a house, the proportion of households with children has been declining just as many families choose to rent because of financial constraints.

For those who still want to raise children in quiet communities, options abound around the country. Click here to see the best places to raise your kids, state-by-state.

Wong is a lifestyle and real estate reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek.

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