If you love the historic city of
Baltimore and want to raise a family near all the arts, culture, dining, sports, and architecture you adore, these suburbs are for you.
We looked at a whole bunch of data to figure out the most family-friendly suburbs of Baltimore. These spots have great schools, close-knit communities, and plenty of amenities for all ages.
Let’s take a look at the 10 that made the cut.
1. Sykesville
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 629
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.1 out of 10
The small town of Sykesville kicks off our list of the best Baltimore suburbs for families with one of the lowest crime rates of any place we ranked. Families will find spacious Colonial style homes and modest ranch style houses on large lots.
Stroll down the thriving, pedestrian friendly Main Street full of local businesses and restaurants, or enjoy a day of hiking and wildlife watching at the Hugg-Thomas Wildlife Management Area.
2. Kingsville
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 1,357
- GreatSchools.org score: 10 out of 10
The small town of Kingsville earns the second place spot on our list of the best Baltimore suburbs for families with lovely craftsman and Colonial style homes for potential home buyers.
Active families will love getting back to nature at the expansive, scenic Gunpowder State Park, which offers hiking and biking trails, beaches, and picnic areas. Kingsville also earned top marks from GreatSchools.org.
3. Ellicott City
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.2 out of 10
- Median household income: $118,985
Ellicott City comes in third on our list, with a variety of housing options for any family’s needs. Modest townhomes, spacious craftsman style homes, and classic Colonials are all common in this suburb.
Plan a camping trip at the Patapsco Valley State Park, or grab fresh local produce at the Ellicott City Old Town Market. Active families will love fishing, boating, or hiking at Centennial Park.
4. Gambrills
Key Stats:
- Median household income: $116,389
- Unemployment rate: 2.5 percent
- Total crimes per 100k: 717
Gambrills has a population of just over 2,500 residents, making it the perfect suburb for families seeking a small town vibe. Home buyers will find a range of options, including spacious Colonial style homes and modest townhomes.
Residents of Gambrills have access to dozens of local restaurants, and enjoy convenient shopping from brand name retailers at the Waugh Chapel Towne Center.
5. Hampstead
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 1,278
- Unemployment rate: 3.8 percent
The close-knit community of Hampstead has a variety of housing options for families, including modest townhomes, lovely cottage style homes, and spacious Colonials.
Local events like the annual Hampstead Day festival are the perfect way to meet new neighbors while enjoying food and entertainment. Residents can also grab fresh local produce at the Farmers’ Market, or enjoy a family picnic at Hampstead Municipal Park.
6. Arnold
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.4 out of 10
- Median household income: $101,848
The scenic waterfront suburb of Arnold earns the sixth place spot on our list with high marks from GreatSchools.org. Home buyers will find charming craftsman and Colonial style homes.
Families who can’t get enough time on the water will love Arnold’s many marinas, which offer spots for fishing, boating, or swimming. Enjoy a family picnic at Twin Oaks Park.
7. White Marsh
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9 out of 10
- Average commute time: 26 minutes
With an average commute time of just 26 minutes, White Marsh residents have plenty of extra family time. Home buyers in White Marsh will find ranch, craftsman, and Colonial style homes.
Residents enjoy convenient shopping from brand name retailers at White Marsh Mall, while nature-loving families will flock to the recreation facilities and wooded trails at Honeygo Regional Park. The White Marsh Library Branch also hosts numerous family friendly events.
8. Fulton
Key Stats:
- Total crimes per 100k: 515
- Unemployment rate: 1.1 percent
- Median household income: $139,750
The small town of Fulton has plenty to offer families, including super low unemployment and crime rates. Home buyers will find spacious ranch, farmhouse, and Colonial style homes.
Active families are just a quick drive away from the Patuxent River, which is the perfect spot for a day of fishing, hiking, and boating. This small suburb of just over 1,800 provides a safe, close-knit community.
9. Fallston
Key Stats:
- GreatSchools.org score: 9.7 out of 10
- Median household income: $113,190
Fallston earns the ninth place spot on our list with high marks from GreatSchools.org, and a range of spacious housing options in ranch, craftsman, and Colonial architectural styles.
The Fallston Harford County Public Library Branch has a sizeable children’s selection, and hosts numerous programs and events to keep young readers engaged. Active families will love the facilities at the Fallston Recreation Complex.
10. Jarrettsville
Key Stats:
- Median household income: $118,016
- GreatSchools.org score: 9 out of 10
Jarrettsville rounds out our list of the best Baltimore suburbs for families. Home buyers will find plenty of spacious ranch, farmhouse, and Colonial style homes on large lots.
The Jarrettsville Harford County Public Library Branch hosts numerous children and teen events to keep young readers entertained and engaged. Residents also enjoy numerous local restaurants and businesses in downtown Jarrettsville.
Our Methodology
To create this list of the best Baltimore suburbs for families, we looked at the following criteria:
- GreatSchools.org Score
- Total crimes per 100k
- Unemployment rate
- Average commute time
- Median household income
- Median monthly housing costs (the lower the better)
We ranked each Baltimore suburb in the above categories. Because some things are of extra importance to families, we weighted the GreatSchools.org score and total crimes per 100k score to make up 25 percent of the final score, while the rest of the categories made up 10 percent.
For this list, we sourced data from the U.S Census, GreatSchools.org, and
AreaVibes.
Want to see how other Baltimore suburbs measured up? Check out the table below:
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