Best Cities for Young Families in Tennessee

For many young couples, buying their first house when they are also starting their family is a daunting prospect.

Even though quality of life matters to all future homeowners, young families may have tighter finances that limit their options. NerdWallet crunched the data for the second year to help consumers find the “Best Cities for Young Families.” Our analysis considers several factors:

• Home affordability. We looked at median home value and selected monthly homeowner costs to prioritize affordable communities.
• Prosperity and growth. Looking at current and past family incomes, we calculated the income of residents, as well as the projected long-term growth of each city.
• Quality of education. We looked at ratings from GreatSchools to find the best schools for young families.
• Family friendliness. This year, we added a new component to our methodology — the percentage of families with school-age children and the poverty rate for young children. This measure helps determine if an area is not only affordable for families, but if it is also a healthy one for children.

NerdWallet crunched the data for 99 places in Tennessee — cities, towns and census-designated places. Only places with over 5,000 residents were analyzed. To see the full data set, click here.

Our analysis revealed some trends:

Convenient commutes. While we didn’t include commute times in our calculations, the correlation between shorter commutes and the top cities was high. All but one of our top 10 locations is within a 35-mile commute of a major city.

Medium-size cities are big. The majority of our top places have 7,000 to 11,000 residents, which is about the state median.

Nashville area is No. 1. In our list of best cities for young families, the clear winner is the Nashville metropolitan area, where half of our top 10 is located.     

Best Cities for Young Families in Tennessee

1. Arlington

Arlington tops our list for its high growth in prosperity, as well as for its “family friendliness” score, our newly introduced measure that helped it jump up 20 spots from last year. The town, which saw a 77.4% increase in family income over the past 15 years, also shows a zero rate of poverty for families with young children. As the only place on our list where over 50% of households include kids, Arlington makes an excellent home for parents who commute to the Memphis metro area.

2. Atoka

Atoka is an upper-middle income community with highly rated schools at www.greatschools.org. About a third of families have children in a town where no children under age 5 live in poverty, according to the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey. Atoka is proud of its parks, which include Nancy Lane, Pioneer and Walker. In 2013, the town approved the Atoka Greenway trail, which will allow pedestrian access between the two parks on Walker Parkway.

3. Mount Carmel

Our only top entry near Kingsport, Mount Carmel is not only a good place for young families, it’s also the second-most affordable place in our top 10 with a median home value of $128,400. In this town of just under 6,000, about 30% of residents are families with kids, which is unsurprising given the 9 out of 10 rating it received at GreatSchools. For families looking for weekend adventure, Mount Carmel is just an hour from the 650,000-acre Cherokee National Forest.

4. Spring Hill

With over 30,000 residents, Spring Hill is the most populous community in our top 10. Families living here will find a lot of company: Nearly half, 41.2%, of the city’s population includes families with children. The city — just 35 minutes south of Nashville — is proud of its industrial sector that it balances with its natural beauty.

5. Nolensville

Good schools, economic growth and a family atmosphere — Nolensville has it all. At 45.9%, Nolensville is home to the state’s second-highest percentage of families with children. The city also has one of the highest income-growth rates, which has increased 44.5% in the past 15 years. Nolensville is an ideal location for families with two working parents, as it’s roughly in the middle of Nashville and Murfreesboro — Tennessee’s largest metro areas. However, living here comes with a price: Nolensville has the highest median home value in our top 10.

6. White House

Named for a two-story white lodging house built in 1829, White House, Tennessee, declares that it is “valuing our future, while protecting our heritage.” While the city of 10,000 showcases its history in the local White House Inn Museum, it also invests in future success with its school system that ranks 8 out of 10 on GreatSchools, and an economic development team that has made a targeted effort to increase the city’s retail sector.

7. Lakeland

Lakeland is a community for families looking for quality schools, and who are willing to pay the price. Lakeland rises above the rest of our list with its 10 rating — the only city in our top 10 to earn a perfect score at GreatSchools, but the median home value of $226,200 makes Lakeland one of the more expensive communities in the state. The high home values reflect a trend of prosperity in Lakeland, which has seen its median family incomes rise 58% in the past 15 years. The city of 12,000 maintains a commitment to its green space, and last year it received its ninth consecutive Tree City USA award for planting and preserving trees.

8. Fairview

Fairview is a place for young families looking for a small, yet accessible community. Fairview is minutes from the downtowns in Franklin and Nashville, as well as the Cool Springs retail area. Fairview’s school system is ranked 8 out of 10 at GreatSchools, and it’s home to the 700-acre Bowie Nature Park. And with a median home value of a low $167,500, Fairview is a bargain even with its long list of amenities.

9. Seymour

Parents seeking affordable living with a good quality of life will find it in Seymour, a census-designated area. While the median home value of $150,800 makes Seymour the second-most affordable place in our top 10, the area isn’t only a good deal, it’s also a healthy place for kids as demonstrated by its zero rate of poverty for families with children under age 5. And for parents, Seymour’s proximity to Knoxville makes it ideal for those seeking a short commute.

10. Lexington

Lexington is the little city that could. With a population of just 7,751, Lexington is the second-smallest city in our top 10. Residents here will find low housing costs — the city’s median home value of $118,000 is the lowest in our top 10. Despite its affordability, no families with young children live in poverty in Lexington.

Best Cities for Young Families in Tennessee

Rank	Name	Great Schools ranking	Median home value	Family income growth 1999-2013	Median family income 2013	Percentage of families with at least one child under 18	Young Families Score
1	Arlington	8	$220,800	77.36%	$98,616	54.3%	77.59
2	Atoka	9	$171,800	37.89%	$85,000	35.5%	72.14
3	Mount Carmel	9	$128,400	31.04%	$57,137	32.3%	72.08
4	Spring Hill	9	$195,400	31.50%	$82,378	41.2%	71.54
5	Nolensville	9	$285,900	44.45%	$104,617	45.9%	70.47
6	White House	8	$173,800	36.06%	$75,826	36.8%	70.31
7	Lakeland	10	$226,200	57.97%	$101,800	27.5%	69.83
8	Fairview	8	$167,500	49.92%	$74,688	27.5%	67.09
9	Seymour CDP	7	$150,800	36.92%	$61,946	25.1%	65.70
10	Lexington	8	$118,100	33.54%	$55,324	18.3%	65.45
11	Collierville	9	$278,100	34.03%	$113,698	37.7%	64.70
12	Franklin	10	$307,800	46.61%	$101,790	29.7%	64.53
13	Mount Juliet	9	$198,400	18.81%	$74,929	30.5%	64.38
14	Signal Mountain	9	$283,700	29.49%	$112,656	28.7%	63.32
15	Soddy-Daisy	6	$129,700	37.27%	$56,822	22.1%	62.61
16	Greenbrier	8	$145,400	21.73%	$58,750	23.4%	62.47
17	La Vergne	7	$132,200	-0.59%	$54,901	30.2%	62.07
18	McKenzie	7	$84,700	23.52%	$42,394	14.1%	61.97
19	Collegedale	7	$179,900	27.05%	$66,496	23.9%	61.73
20	Clarksville	7	$135,600	28.77%	$53,339	24.1%	61.64
21	Germantown	9	$281,300	23.21%	$127,803	28.7%	61.54
22	Church Hill	6	$127,800	22.41%	$53,154	24.3%	61.35
23	Hendersonville	8	$199,500	29.67%	$74,723	26.7%	61.14
24	Kingston	8	$143,300	37.94%	$62,042	12.6%	61.10
25	South Cleveland CDP	6	$120,700	36.23%	$54,468	21.3%	61.08
26	Smyrna	7	$150,000	21.33%	$62,547	24.8%	61.00
27	Bartlett	7	$174,100	20.10%	$84,026	26.5%	60.83
28	Portland	5	$128,400	38.08%	$56,318	23.7%	60.44
29	Dickson	8	$130,900	5.53%	$44,988	22.4%	60.25
30	Lawrenceburg	8	$87,700	18.67%	$38,989	14.1%	60.23
31	Greeneville	7	$118,500	41.97%	$51,294	17.5%	60.15
32	Oak Ridge	8	$148,400	29.80%	$74,101	17.4%	60.14
33	Maryville	7	$187,300	32.01%	$64,923	25.3%	59.90
34	Paris	8	$79,400	19.22%	$38,458	13.4%	59.84
35	Johnson City	9	$152,500	34.15%	$54,972	13.5%	59.73
36	Murfreesboro	8	$176,500	25.75%	$66,215	20.6%	59.71
37	Kingsport	8	$134,800	32.00%	$53,043	15.6%	59.59
38	Rockwood	5	$86,100	25.72%	$40,528	16.7%	59.56
39	Bloomingdale CDP	7	$90,400	8.78%	$38,621	17.8%	59.48
40	Milan	6	$92,400	2.15%	$39,330	18.2%	58.71
41	Brentwood	10	$487,100	22.67%	$145,307	42.1%	58.61
42	Bristol	7	$103,500	22.50%	$45,741	14.7%	58.59
43	Martin	9	$121,900	36.48%	$52,747	9.6%	58.21
44	Millersville	7	$155,900	22.32%	$58,551	15.8%	58.17
45	Oakland	4	$167,600	25.33%	$71,172	29.1%	58.01
46	Dyersburg	6	$96,400	21.24%	$42,136	19.0%	57.63
47	Henderson	7	$105,600	3.28%	$42,250	15.6%	57.58
48	Jefferson City	6	$116,200	28.81%	$43,750	17.4%	57.34
49	Jonesborough	6	$153,000	35.75%	$59,958	13.0%	57.27
50	Farragut	7	$317,100	22.50%	$111,991	30.4%	57.13
51	Morris	6	$110,700	20.91%	$40,373	19.8%	56.67
52	Knoxville	7	$117,000	29.43%	$48,807	10.7%	56.59
53	Loudon	5	$118,800	15.91%	$45,682	22.9%	56.56
54	Gallatin	6	$159,000	34.77%	$56,469	17.7%	56.31
55	Winchester	5	$100,500	5.84%	$43,587	16.0%	56.12
56	Middle Valley CDP	5	$158,200	12.64%	$64,875	24.8%	56.07
57	Fayetteville	7	$94,200	33.79%	$43,452	12.5%	56.06
58	Manchester	7	$106,900	24.93%	$47,978	13.7%	56.01
59	Dayton	6	$123,800	24.44%	$41,250	14.1%	55.77
60	Harriman	6	$85,400	38.70%	$43,260	14.2%	55.55
61	Sweetwater	5	$105,100	28.80%	$45,426	15.2%	55.39
62	Lenoir City	7	$120,000	15.14%	$38,528	16.7%	55.35
63	Millington	5	$132,900	33.57%	$59,433	16.7%	55.32
64	Pigeon Forge	7	$169,400	53.31%	$52,898	11.0%	55.26
65	Lewisburg	6	$93,000	10.56%	$42,284	11.6%	55.12
66	Tullahoma	6	$122,200	28.66%	$51,203	14.1%	54.98
67	Crossville	7	$138,700	5.77%	$35,124	15.4%	54.80
68	Alcoa	7	$119,800	4.31%	$46,244	12.4%	54.40
69	Elizabethton	6	$108,500	22.69%	$40,895	15.8%	54.39
70	Sparta	7	$104,400	32.59%	$43,835	7.8%	53.97
71	Savannah	6	$91,000	7.97%	$32,143	10.0%	53.89
72	Harrison CDP	4	$137,600	18.29%	$65,545	20.8%	53.84
73	Lebanon	7	$167,600	15.61%	$52,135	16.6%	53.73
74	East Ridge	4	$116,900	15.83%	$50,800	14.1%	53.44
75	Athens	6	$124,100	12.69%	$44,583	17.4%	53.36
76	Union City	5	$91,600	5.74%	$43,076	12.6%	52.94
77	Cleveland	6	$153,300	13.76%	$45,676	17.3%	52.57
78	Goodlettsville	6	$179,500	18.01%	$63,914	15.7%	52.56
79	Clinton	6	$128,100	16.15%	$50,061	11.0%	52.11
80	Springfield	5	$129,300	14.94%	$48,297	15.8%	51.83
81	Jackson	4	$115,100	22.60%	$50,171	15.5%	51.62
82	Columbia	5	$115,000	2.67%	$43,967	14.8%	51.42
83	Cookeville	7	$158,600	7.44%	$42,572	12.0%	51.14
84	McMinnville	5	$93,200	15.59%	$37,865	14.8%	50.79
85	Chattanooga	4	$138,100	22.19%	$50,488	12.9%	49.08
86	Shelbyville	4	$96,200	-12.11%	$32,048	19.2%	48.88
87	La Follette	3	$85,900	27.64%	$30,934	16.1%	48.45
88	Humboldt	4	$76,000	8.33%	$35,580	8.2%	48.33
89	Red Bank	5	$122,700	3.27%	$43,060	14.3%	48.28
90	Bolivar	3	$86,400	25.39%	$44,260	9.4%	47.91
91	Pulaski	5	$91,000	-4.75%	$35,451	9.7%	47.19
92	Brownsville	3	$92,100	6.52%	$35,986	11.5%	46.78
93	Sevierville	5	$167,200	11.03%	$42,162	14.3%	46.60
94	Memphis	3	$95,900	14.65%	$43,301	10.8%	45.74
95	Green Hill CDP	N/A	$181,300	18.31%	$78,804	19.0%	45.40
96	Newport	5	$89,400	7.81%	$28,884	8.7%	43.27
97	Ripley	4	$86,500	-15.44%	$28,906	10.2%	41.88
98	Covington	4	$99,500	-3.23%	$31,171	6.2%	41.12
99	Fairfield Glade CDP	N/A	$219,200	34.89%	$61,968	2.2%	39.84

Methodology

All data are from the 2013 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Communities Survey. Our methodology took into account four factors:

Home affordability. Home affordability, 30% of the final score, was calculated by averaging index scores for median home value and median selected monthly owner costs. The lower the costs, the higher the score.

Growth and prosperity. Growth and prosperity make up 20% of the final score. The two metrics involved were growth in family income from 1999 to 2013, and the median family income in 2013. Both were weighted equally and positively.

Family friendliness. To measure if an area is a good one for families, which is 30% of our final score, we looked at the percentage of married couples with at least one child under 18, and the percentage of families in poverty with at least one child under age 5. The percentage of families with at least one child was 70% of the score, while the percentage of families in poverty was 30% of the score.

Educational quality. Using data from GreatSchools, every place was assigned a ranking from 1 to 10 for the quality of schools. The education score is 20% of the final score.

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Nashville, Tennessee, skyline via Shutterstock.