Best counties to raise a family in California
Written by:
March 5, 2021
realtor.com
Best counties to raise a family in California
Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in California using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
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#20. Stanislaus County
- Population: 543,194
- Median home value: $291,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,155 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $60,704
- Top public schools: Whitmore Charter High School (A), Paradise Elementary School (A), Gratton Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Central Catholic High School (A), Modesto Christian School (A-), Turlock Christian Schools (A-)
- Top places to live: Turlock (B), Del Rio (B), Oakdale (B-)
- Pictured: 2830 Youngstown Rd, Turlock ($2.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $291,600 (58% own)
- Median rent: $1,155 (42% rent)
- Median household income: $60,704
- Top public schools: Whitmore Charter High School (A), Paradise Elementary School (A), Gratton Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Central Catholic High School (A), Modesto Christian School (A-), Turlock Christian Schools (A-)
- Top places to live: Turlock (B), Del Rio (B), Oakdale (B-)
- Pictured: 2830 Youngstown Rd, Turlock ($2.0 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#19. San Joaquin County
- Population: 742,603
- Median home value: $342,100 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $64,432
- Top public schools: Middle College High School (A+), Mountain House High School (A), Stockton Unified Early College Academy (A)
- Top private schools: St. Mary's High School (A), Ripon Christian Schools (B+), Lodi Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Lincoln Village (A-), Mountain House (A-), Woodbridge (B+)
- Pictured: 1243 Seward Way, Stockton ($465,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $342,100 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,208 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $64,432
- Top public schools: Middle College High School (A+), Mountain House High School (A), Stockton Unified Early College Academy (A)
- Top private schools: St. Mary's High School (A), Ripon Christian Schools (B+), Lodi Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Lincoln Village (A-), Mountain House (A-), Woodbridge (B+)
- Pictured: 1243 Seward Way, Stockton ($465,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#18. San Luis Obispo County
- Population: 282,165
- Median home value: $574,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,476 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $73,518
- Top public schools: San Luis Obispo High School (A+), Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School (A), Templeton High School (A)
- Top private schools: Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School (A), Coastal Christian School (B+), San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (B-)
- Top places to live: San Luis Obispo (A), Pismo Beach (A), Arroyo Grande (B+)
- Pictured: 6645 Fern Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo ($5.3 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $574,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $1,476 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $73,518
- Top public schools: San Luis Obispo High School (A+), Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter School (A), Templeton High School (A)
- Top private schools: Mission College Preparatory Catholic High School (A), Coastal Christian School (B+), San Luis Obispo Classical Academy (B-)
- Top places to live: San Luis Obispo (A), Pismo Beach (A), Arroyo Grande (B+)
- Pictured: 6645 Fern Canyon Rd, San Luis Obispo ($5.3 million, 2 bedrooms)
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#17. El Dorado County
- Population: 188,563
- Median home value: $460,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,260 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $83,377
- Top public schools: Oak Ridge High School (A), Miller's Hill (A), Oak Meadow Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: El Dorado Adventist School (B+), Holy Trinity School (unavailable), Providence Christian School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: El Dorado Hills (A), Camino (B+), South Lake Tahoe (B)
- Pictured: 4473 Greenview Dr, El Dorado Hills ($5.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $460,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,260 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $83,377
- Top public schools: Oak Ridge High School (A), Miller's Hill (A), Oak Meadow Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: El Dorado Adventist School (B+), Holy Trinity School (unavailable), Providence Christian School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: El Dorado Hills (A), Camino (B+), South Lake Tahoe (B)
- Pictured: 4473 Greenview Dr, El Dorado Hills ($5.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#16. Ventura County
- Population: 847,263
- Median home value: $588,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,776 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $88,131
- Top public schools: Westlake High School (A+), Oak Park High School (A+), Santa Susana High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Thacher School (A+), Villanova Preparatory School (A+), Besant Hill School of Happy Valley (A+)
- Top places to live: Oak Park (A), Thousand Oaks (A), Moorpark (A-)
- Pictured: 5540 Bromely Dr, Oak Park ($1.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $588,400 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,776 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $88,131
- Top public schools: Westlake High School (A+), Oak Park High School (A+), Santa Susana High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Thacher School (A+), Villanova Preparatory School (A+), Besant Hill School of Happy Valley (A+)
- Top places to live: Oak Park (A), Thousand Oaks (A), Moorpark (A-)
- Pictured: 5540 Bromely Dr, Oak Park ($1.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#15. Yolo County
- Population: 217,352
- Median home value: $424,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,324 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $70,228
- Top public schools: Davis Senior High School (A+), Da Vinci Charter Academy (A+), Robert E. Willett Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Woodland Christian School (A-), St. James School (unavailable), Our Lady of Grace School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Davis (A+), West Sacramento (B+), Winters (B)
- Pictured: 1140 Los Robles St, Davis ($3.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $424,900 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,324 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $70,228
- Top public schools: Davis Senior High School (A+), Da Vinci Charter Academy (A+), Robert E. Willett Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Woodland Christian School (A-), St. James School (unavailable), Our Lady of Grace School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Davis (A+), West Sacramento (B+), Winters (B)
- Pictured: 1140 Los Robles St, Davis ($3.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#14. Sonoma County
- Population: 499,772
- Median home value: $609,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,621 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $81,018
- Top public schools: Maria Carrillo High School (A), Technology High School (A), Petaluma Accelerated Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: Sonoma Academy (A+), Cardinal Newman High School (A), Rio Lindo Adventist Academy (A)
- Top places to live: Petaluma (B+), Sebastopol (B+), Healdsburg (B+)
- Pictured: 750 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Petaluma ($15.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $609,600 (61% own)
- Median rent: $1,621 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $81,018
- Top public schools: Maria Carrillo High School (A), Technology High School (A), Petaluma Accelerated Charter School (A)
- Top private schools: Sonoma Academy (A+), Cardinal Newman High School (A), Rio Lindo Adventist Academy (A)
- Top places to live: Petaluma (B+), Sebastopol (B+), Healdsburg (B+)
- Pictured: 750 Sonoma Mountain Rd, Petaluma ($15.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#13. Los Angeles County
- Population: 10,081,570
- Median home value: $583,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,460 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $68,044
- Top public schools: California Academy of Mathematics & Science (A+), Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (A+), Whitney High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Harvard-Westlake School (A+), Flintridge Preparatory School (A+), Polytechnic School (A+)
- Top places to live: Ocean Park (A+), City Center (A+), Mid-City (A+)
- Pictured: 5512 W 82nd St, Los Angeles ($929,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $583,200 (46% own)
- Median rent: $1,460 (54% rent)
- Median household income: $68,044
- Top public schools: California Academy of Mathematics & Science (A+), Palos Verdes Peninsula High School (A+), Whitney High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Harvard-Westlake School (A+), Flintridge Preparatory School (A+), Polytechnic School (A+)
- Top places to live: Ocean Park (A+), City Center (A+), Mid-City (A+)
- Pictured: 5512 W 82nd St, Los Angeles ($929,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#12. Napa County
- Population: 139,623
- Median home value: $635,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $88,596
- Top public schools: Saint Helena High School (A), Robert Louis Stevenson Intermediate School (A), Howell Mountain Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Justin-Siena High School (A+), Pacific Union College Preparatory School (A-), Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep (A-)
- Top places to live: St. Helena (A-), American Canyon (B+), Napa (B)
- Pictured: 2059 Vallejo St, Saint Helena ($10.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $635,900 (64% own)
- Median rent: $1,700 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $88,596
- Top public schools: Saint Helena High School (A), Robert Louis Stevenson Intermediate School (A), Howell Mountain Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Justin-Siena High School (A+), Pacific Union College Preparatory School (A-), Kolbe Academy & Trinity Prep (A-)
- Top places to live: St. Helena (A-), American Canyon (B+), Napa (B)
- Pictured: 2059 Vallejo St, Saint Helena ($10.5 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#11. Santa Barbara County
- Population: 444,829
- Median home value: $577,400 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,643 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $74,624
- Top public schools: Cold Spring Elementary School (A+), Dos Pueblos Senior High School (A+), Ballard Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Cate School (A+), Midland School (A+), Laguna Blanca School (A+)
- Top places to live: Montecito (A), Mission Canyon (A), Santa Barbara (A)
- Pictured: 749 San Ysidro Rd, Santa Barbara ($62.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $577,400 (52% own)
- Median rent: $1,643 (48% rent)
- Median household income: $74,624
- Top public schools: Cold Spring Elementary School (A+), Dos Pueblos Senior High School (A+), Ballard Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: Cate School (A+), Midland School (A+), Laguna Blanca School (A+)
- Top places to live: Montecito (A), Mission Canyon (A), Santa Barbara (A)
- Pictured: 749 San Ysidro Rd, Santa Barbara ($62.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#10. Santa Cruz County
- Population: 273,962
- Median home value: $756,600 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $82,234
- Top public schools: Pacific Collegiate Charter School (A+), Happy Valley Elementary School (A), Santa Cruz High School (A)
- Top private schools: Kirby School (A+), Mount Madonna School (A), St. Francis High School - Salesian College Preparatory (A)
- Top places to live: Santa Cruz (A-), Scotts Valley (A-), Pasatiempo (A-)
- Pictured: 635 Meder St, Santa Cruz ($10.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $756,600 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,717 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $82,234
- Top public schools: Pacific Collegiate Charter School (A+), Happy Valley Elementary School (A), Santa Cruz High School (A)
- Top private schools: Kirby School (A+), Mount Madonna School (A), St. Francis High School - Salesian College Preparatory (A)
- Top places to live: Santa Cruz (A-), Scotts Valley (A-), Pasatiempo (A-)
- Pictured: 635 Meder St, Santa Cruz ($10.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#9. Placer County
- Population: 385,512
- Median home value: $471,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,542 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $89,691
- Top public schools: Granite Bay High School (A+), Rocklin High School (A), Rocklin Academy Turnstone (A)
- Top private schools: Lake Tahoe Preparatory School (A), Weimar Academy (B+), Tahoe Expedition Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Olympus Pointe (A+), East Roseville Parkway (A), Rocklin (A)
- Pictured: 5510 Oakbrooke Ct, Granite Bay ($558,000, None bedrooms)
- Median home value: $471,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,542 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $89,691
- Top public schools: Granite Bay High School (A+), Rocklin High School (A), Rocklin Academy Turnstone (A)
- Top private schools: Lake Tahoe Preparatory School (A), Weimar Academy (B+), Tahoe Expedition Academy (B+)
- Top places to live: Olympus Pointe (A+), East Roseville Parkway (A), Rocklin (A)
- Pictured: 5510 Oakbrooke Ct, Granite Bay ($558,000, None bedrooms)
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#8. San Diego County
- Population: 3,316,073
- Median home value: $563,700 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,658 (47% rent)
- Median household income: $78,980
- Top public schools: Canyon Crest Academy (A+), Torrey Pines High School (A+), Westview High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Bishop's School (A+), Francis Parker School (A+), Pacific Ridge School (A+)
- Top places to live: Torrey Hills (A+), Torrey Pines (A+), Carmel Valley (A+)
- Pictured: 18510 Caminito Pasadero, San Diego ($650,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $563,700 (53% own)
- Median rent: $1,658 (47% rent)
- Median household income: $78,980
- Top public schools: Canyon Crest Academy (A+), Torrey Pines High School (A+), Westview High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Bishop's School (A+), Francis Parker School (A+), Pacific Ridge School (A+)
- Top places to live: Torrey Hills (A+), Torrey Pines (A+), Carmel Valley (A+)
- Pictured: 18510 Caminito Pasadero, San Diego ($650,000, 2 bedrooms)
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#7. Sacramento County
- Population: 1,524,553
- Median home value: $351,900 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,252 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $67,151
- Top public schools: Folsom High School (A+), West Campus (A+), Mira Loma High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Sacramento Country Day School (A+), Jesuit High School (A+), St. Francis High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Broadstone (A+), Lexington Hills/The Parkway (A+), Boulevard Park (A+)
- Pictured: 753 Rillington Ct, Folsom ($519,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $351,900 (56% own)
- Median rent: $1,252 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $67,151
- Top public schools: Folsom High School (A+), West Campus (A+), Mira Loma High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Sacramento Country Day School (A+), Jesuit High School (A+), St. Francis High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Broadstone (A+), Lexington Hills/The Parkway (A+), Boulevard Park (A+)
- Pictured: 753 Rillington Ct, Folsom ($519,900, 3 bedrooms)
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#6. Contra Costa County
- Population: 1,142,251
- Median home value: $625,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,819 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $99,716
- Top public schools: Campolindo High School (A+), Dougherty Valley High School (A+), Miramonte High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Athenian School (A+), Bentley School (A+), Carondelet High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Moraga (A+), San Ramon (A+), Twin Creeks (A+)
- Pictured: 9 Shannon Ct, Moraga ($3.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $625,800 (66% own)
- Median rent: $1,819 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $99,716
- Top public schools: Campolindo High School (A+), Dougherty Valley High School (A+), Miramonte High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Athenian School (A+), Bentley School (A+), Carondelet High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Moraga (A+), San Ramon (A+), Twin Creeks (A+)
- Pictured: 9 Shannon Ct, Moraga ($3.3 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#5. San Mateo County
- Population: 767,423
- Median home value: $1,089,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $2,316 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $122,641
- Top public schools: Aragon High School (A+), Mills High School (A+), Burlingame High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Crystal Springs Uplands School (A+), The Nueva School (A+), Menlo School (A+)
- Top places to live: Burlingame (A+), Foster City (A+), San Carlos (A+)
- Pictured: 132 Elm Ave, Burlingame ($7.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $1,089,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $2,316 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $122,641
- Top public schools: Aragon High School (A+), Mills High School (A+), Burlingame High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Crystal Springs Uplands School (A+), The Nueva School (A+), Menlo School (A+)
- Top places to live: Burlingame (A+), Foster City (A+), San Carlos (A+)
- Pictured: 132 Elm Ave, Burlingame ($7.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
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#4. Marin County
- Population: 259,943
- Median home value: $995,800 (64% own)
- Median rent: $2,069 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $115,246
- Top public schools: Redwood High School (A+), Tamalpais High School (A+), Sir Francis Drake High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Branson School (A+), Marin Academy (A+), San Domenico School (A+)
- Top places to live: San Anselmo (A+), Corte Madera (A+), Kentfield (A+)
- Pictured: 41 Austin Ave, San Anselmo ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $995,800 (64% own)
- Median rent: $2,069 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $115,246
- Top public schools: Redwood High School (A+), Tamalpais High School (A+), Sir Francis Drake High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The Branson School (A+), Marin Academy (A+), San Domenico School (A+)
- Top places to live: San Anselmo (A+), Corte Madera (A+), Kentfield (A+)
- Pictured: 41 Austin Ave, San Anselmo ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#3. Alameda County
- Population: 1,656,754
- Median home value: $769,300 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,797 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $99,406
- Top public schools: Amador Valley High School (A+), Foothill High School (A+), Piedmont High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The College Preparatory School (A+), Head-Royce School (A+), The Quarry Lane School (A+)
- Top places to live: North Berkeley (A+), Central Berkeley (A+), Elmwood District (A+)
- Pictured: 670 Vernon St Apt 202, Oakland ($599,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $769,300 (54% own)
- Median rent: $1,797 (46% rent)
- Median household income: $99,406
- Top public schools: Amador Valley High School (A+), Foothill High School (A+), Piedmont High School (A+)
- Top private schools: The College Preparatory School (A+), Head-Royce School (A+), The Quarry Lane School (A+)
- Top places to live: North Berkeley (A+), Central Berkeley (A+), Elmwood District (A+)
- Pictured: 670 Vernon St Apt 202, Oakland ($599,000, 2 bedrooms)
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#2. Orange County
- Population: 3,168,044
- Median home value: $679,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,854 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $90,234
- Top public schools: Troy High School (A+), Orange County School of the Arts (A+), University High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Sage Hill School (A+), TVT Community Day School (A+), St. Margaret's Episcopal School (A+)
- Top places to live: University Park (A+), Irvine (A+), Turtle Rock (A+)
- Pictured: 438 W Broadway St, Costa Mesa ($2.3 million, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $679,300 (57% own)
- Median rent: $1,854 (43% rent)
- Median household income: $90,234
- Top public schools: Troy High School (A+), Orange County School of the Arts (A+), University High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Sage Hill School (A+), TVT Community Day School (A+), St. Margaret's Episcopal School (A+)
- Top places to live: University Park (A+), Irvine (A+), Turtle Rock (A+)
- Pictured: 438 W Broadway St, Costa Mesa ($2.3 million, 3 bedrooms)
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#1. Santa Clara County
- Population: 1,927,470
- Median home value: $984,000 (56% own)
- Median rent: $2,268 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $124,055
- Top public schools: Henry M. Gunn High School (A+), Saratoga High School (A+), Palo Alto High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Castilleja School (A+), The Harker School (A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (A+)
- Top places to live: University South (A+), Ventura (A+), Downtown North (A+)
- Pictured: 153 Easy St, Mountain View ($1.3 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $984,000 (56% own)
- Median rent: $2,268 (44% rent)
- Median household income: $124,055
- Top public schools: Henry M. Gunn High School (A+), Saratoga High School (A+), Palo Alto High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Castilleja School (A+), The Harker School (A+), BASIS Independent Silicon Valley (A+)
- Top places to live: University South (A+), Ventura (A+), Downtown North (A+)
- Pictured: 153 Easy St, Mountain View ($1.3 million, 2 bedrooms)
