Best Cities for Families in Indiana
Indiana ranks #18 of 50 for families, with a families score of 71.9. Fishers is its best city for families at 71.9.
- Indiana, all states
- #18 of 50
- Population
- 102,337
Indiana for Families: The Full Picture
Indiana is a middle-of-the-pack state for families, ranking #18 out of 50. With strong schools, a moderate violent crime rate of 254.4 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $71,959, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs are notably affordable with a cost-of-living index of 93.3.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Indiana delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 87.7%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 74/100. Center-based infant care runs $17,461 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Indiana performs reasonably well, with a violent crime rate below the 50-state average at 254.4 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 93.3, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 21 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Fishers | A+ | 71.9 | 70.7 | 61 | 98 | 64 | 102,337 |
| 2Carmel | A+ | 71.6 | 73.1 | 65 | 99 | 59 | 101,651 |
| 3Westfield | A+ | 70.4 | 72.7 | 65 | 99 | 62 | 54,677 |
| 4Noblesville | A | 70.0 | 66.6 | 62 | 99 | 69 | 73,362 |
| 5Lafayette | B | 66.2 | 57.7 | 66 | 70 | 81 | 71,159 |
| 6Bloomington | B | 64.6 | 57.9 | 67 | 74 | 73 | 80,049 |
| 7Fort Wayne | B | 63.9 | 56.7 | 66 | 76 | 82 | 268,589 |
| 8Columbus | B+ | 63.8 | 59.6 | 55 | 92 | 78 | 51,824 |
| 9Greenwood | B+ | 62.9 | 60.4 | 57 | 86 | 73 | 66,029 |
| 10Elkhart | C+ | 62.5 | 52.8 | 60 | 89 | 86 | 53,733 |
| 11South Bend | C | 61.4 | 52.2 | 64 | 71 | 84 | 103,085 |
| 12Mishawaka | C+ | 61.3 | 53.7 | 61 | 69 | 82 | 51,021 |
| 13Jeffersonville | B | 60.3 | 57.2 | 61 | 74 | 79 | 51,043 |
| 14Muncie | C | 60.0 | 49.8 | 69 | 66 | 90 | 64,751 |
| 15Kokomo | D | 59.4 | 48.8 | 59 | 68 | 87 | 59,122 |
| 16Anderson | C | 58.9 | 50.4 | 64 | 66 | 84 | 55,367 |
| 17Terre Haute | D | 55.3 | 47.6 | 52 | 52 | 89 | 58,427 |
| 18Indianapolis city | C | 55.1 | 50.9 | 60 | 38 | 77 | 885,860 |
| 19Hammond | D | 52.1 | 44.6 | 51 | 52 | 75 | 76,768 |
| 20Evansville | D | 48.5 | 45.1 | 60 | 21 | 85 | 116,116 |
| 21Gary | F | 44.2 | 31.1 | 58 | 21 | 80 | 68,113 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Indiana for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indiana a good state for families?
Indiana ranks #18 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 71.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (80/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (10/100).
What is the best city for families in Indiana?
Fishers ranks #1 in Indiana for families with a score of 71.9/100, followed by Carmel and Westfield.
What factors are most important for families in Indiana?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.