Best Cities for Families in Virginia
Virginia ranks #17 of 50 for families, with a families score of 72.9. Leesburg is its best city for families at 69.8.
- Virginia, all states
- #17 of 50
- Population
- 49,171
Virginia for Families: The Full Picture
Virginia is a middle-of-the-pack state for families, ranking #17 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 205.9 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $92,090, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 101.1.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Virginia shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 89.1%, roughly in line with national norms. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 65/100. Center-based infant care runs $17,264 a year — a meaningful expense, close to the 50-state average.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Virginia excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 205.9 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 101.1, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Leesburg | A+ | 69.8 | 69.7 | 84 | 80 | 39 | 49,171 |
| 2Charlottesville | A | 67.9 | 63.3 | 78 | 69 | 59 | 45,437 |
| 3Harrisonburg | B+ | 67.8 | 59.4 | 64 | 83 | 74 | 51,392 |
| 4Virginia Beach | A | 67.7 | 63.1 | 64 | 90 | 62 | 456,349 |
| 5Centreville | A+ | 67.4 | 71.5 | 72 | — | 40 | 71,706 |
| 6Reston | A+ | 67.3 | 75.8 | 73 | — | 38 | 64,414 |
| 7Arlington | A+ | 66.3 | 75.0 | 76 | — | 27 | 236,254 |
| 8Lynchburg | B+ | 66.3 | 58.8 | 67 | 72 | 81 | 79,497 |
| 9McLean | A+ | 66.0 | 72.6 | 67 | — | 18 | 49,627 |
| 10Alexandria | A+ | 65.6 | 68.9 | 72 | 86 | 36 | 156,976 |
| 11Tuckahoe | B+ | 64.1 | 61.8 | — | — | 61 | 49,183 |
| 12Chesapeake | B+ | 63.2 | 59.4 | 64 | 76 | 64 | 252,583 |
| 13Hampton | C+ | 62.0 | 55.0 | 65 | 68 | 71 | 137,557 |
| 14Richmond | B | 60.4 | 56.5 | 66 | 55 | 67 | 229,359 |
| 15Norfolk | C+ | 60.0 | 54.1 | 61 | 58 | 71 | 233,596 |
| 16Roanoke | C+ | 59.4 | 53.4 | 68 | 46 | 81 | 98,355 |
| 17Suffolk | B | 59.0 | 56.0 | 54 | 75 | 65 | 98,796 |
| 18Dale City | B | 58.0 | 57.2 | — | — | 52 | 71,016 |
| 19Newport News | C | 57.1 | 52.0 | 62 | 40 | 72 | 184,216 |
| 20Portsmouth | D | 54.6 | 48.4 | 60 | 34 | 73 | 97,190 |
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: Virginia for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia a good state for families?
Virginia ranks #17 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 72.9/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (79/100) and its weakest is Outdoor Access (20/100).
What is the best city for families in Virginia?
Leesburg ranks #1 in Virginia for families with a score of 69.8/100, followed by Charlottesville and Harrisonburg.
What factors are most important for families in Virginia?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.