Best counties to raise a family in Utah
Written by:
March 5, 2021
realtor.com
Best counties to raise a family in Utah
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 Utah 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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#15. Carbon County
- Population: 20,308
- Median home value: $140,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $669 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $51,158
- Top public schools: Creekview School (B+), Castle Heights School (B), Helper Junior High School (B)
- Top places to live: Price (B), Helper (B), Carbonville (B)
- Pictured: 711 W 1800 S, Price ($585,000, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $140,800 (74% own)
- Median rent: $669 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $51,158
- Top public schools: Creekview School (B+), Castle Heights School (B), Helper Junior High School (B)
- Top places to live: Price (B), Helper (B), Carbonville (B)
- Pictured: 711 W 1800 S, Price ($585,000, 6 bedrooms)
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#14. Box Elder County
- Population: 53,946
- Median home value: $203,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $747 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $62,233
- Top public schools: Box Elder High School (B+), Garland School (B+), Fielding School (B+)
- Top private schools: Triumph Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Perry (B+), Brigham City (B), Willard (B-)
- Pictured: 2808 Peach St, Perry ($799,900, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $203,600 (78% own)
- Median rent: $747 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $62,233
- Top public schools: Box Elder High School (B+), Garland School (B+), Fielding School (B+)
- Top private schools: Triumph Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Perry (B+), Brigham City (B), Willard (B-)
- Pictured: 2808 Peach St, Perry ($799,900, 5 bedrooms)
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#13. Tooele County
- Population: 67,397
- Median home value: $223,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $966 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $74,562
- Top public schools: Excelsior Academy (A-), Stansbury High School (B), Stansbury Park School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Marguerite Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Stansbury Park (B), Grantsville (B-), Tooele (B-)
- Pictured: 94 Lakeview, Stansbury Park ($549,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $223,400 (81% own)
- Median rent: $966 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $74,562
- Top public schools: Excelsior Academy (A-), Stansbury High School (B), Stansbury Park School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Marguerite Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Stansbury Park (B), Grantsville (B-), Tooele (B-)
- Pictured: 94 Lakeview, Stansbury Park ($549,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#12. Washington County
- Population: 165,811
- Median home value: $283,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,015 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $59,839
- Top public schools: George Washington Academy (A+), Dixie High School (A-), Crimson View School (A-)
- Top private schools: Liahona Academy (A-), Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center (unavailable), Trinity Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Washington (B+), Santa Clara (B+), St. George (B+)
- Pictured: 1536 N Cambridge Ave, Washington ($2.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $283,800 (70% own)
- Median rent: $1,015 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $59,839
- Top public schools: George Washington Academy (A+), Dixie High School (A-), Crimson View School (A-)
- Top private schools: Liahona Academy (A-), Cinnamon Hills Youth Crisis Center (unavailable), Trinity Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Washington (B+), Santa Clara (B+), St. George (B+)
- Pictured: 1536 N Cambridge Ave, Washington ($2.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#11. Iron County
- Population: 51,213
- Median home value: $213,600 (64% own)
- Median rent: $813 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $51,807
- Top public schools: DSU SUCCESS Academy (A), SUU Success Academy (A-), Enoch School (B+)
- Top private schools: Moonridge Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Cedar City (B+), Enoch (B-), Parowan (C+)
- Pictured: 617 S Cove Dr Unit 8, Cedar City ($2.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $213,600 (64% own)
- Median rent: $813 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $51,807
- Top public schools: DSU SUCCESS Academy (A), SUU Success Academy (A-), Enoch School (B+)
- Top private schools: Moonridge Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Cedar City (B+), Enoch (B-), Parowan (C+)
- Pictured: 617 S Cove Dr Unit 8, Cedar City ($2.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#10. Beaver County
- Population: 6,517
- Median home value: $177,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $717 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $55,221
- Top public schools: Belknap School (A-), Minersville School (A-), Minersville School (A-)
- Top places to live: Beaver (B+), Milford (B-), Minersville (B-)
- Pictured: 3015 E 3000 N, Beaver ($3.0 million, 10 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $177,600 (74% own)
- Median rent: $717 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $55,221
- Top public schools: Belknap School (A-), Minersville School (A-), Minersville School (A-)
- Top places to live: Beaver (B+), Milford (B-), Minersville (B-)
- Pictured: 3015 E 3000 N, Beaver ($3.0 million, 10 bedrooms)
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#9. Millard County
- Population: 12,854
- Median home value: $155,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $726 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $62,242
- Top public schools: Fillmore Middle School (B+), Millard High School (B), Delta Middle School (B)
- Top private schools: White River Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Delta (B), Holden (B+), Fillmore (B+)
- Pictured: 4375 W 8500 N, Delta ($265,000, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $155,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $726 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $62,242
- Top public schools: Fillmore Middle School (B+), Millard High School (B), Delta Middle School (B)
- Top private schools: White River Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Delta (B), Holden (B+), Fillmore (B+)
- Pictured: 4375 W 8500 N, Delta ($265,000, 5 bedrooms)
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#8. Morgan County
- Population: 11,664
- Median home value: $374,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,182 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $91,341
- Top public schools: Mountain Green School (B+), Morgan Elementary School (B), Morgan High School (B)
- Top places to live: Morgan (B), Mountain Green (B), Enterprise (C+)
- Pictured: 3667 W Ridges Rd Unit 16, Morgan ($2.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $374,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,182 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $91,341
- Top public schools: Mountain Green School (B+), Morgan Elementary School (B), Morgan High School (B)
- Top places to live: Morgan (B), Mountain Green (B), Enterprise (C+)
- Pictured: 3667 W Ridges Rd Unit 16, Morgan ($2.5 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#7. Wasatch County
- Population: 31,708
- Median home value: $419,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,364 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $85,166
- Top public schools: Midway School (A-), Old Mill School (A-), Wasatch High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Heber (B+), Daniel (B), Midway (B-)
- Pictured: 1458 N Explorer Peak Dr, Heber City ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $419,900 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,364 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $85,166
- Top public schools: Midway School (A-), Old Mill School (A-), Wasatch High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Heber (B+), Daniel (B), Midway (B-)
- Pictured: 1458 N Explorer Peak Dr, Heber City ($3.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#6. Weber County
- Population: 251,498
- Median home value: $220,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $891 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $67,244
- Top public schools: DaVinci Academy (B+), Lomond View School (B+), Fremont High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Catholic High School (A), Oakgrove School (B-), St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: North Ogden (B+), Pleasant View (B+), South Ogden (B+)
- Pictured: 4123 N 1225 St W Unit 79, Pleasant View ($1.4 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $220,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $891 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $67,244
- Top public schools: DaVinci Academy (B+), Lomond View School (B+), Fremont High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Joseph Catholic High School (A), Oakgrove School (B-), St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: North Ogden (B+), Pleasant View (B+), South Ogden (B+)
- Pictured: 4123 N 1225 St W Unit 79, Pleasant View ($1.4 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#5. Summit County
- Population: 41,103
- Median home value: $641,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,429 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $102,958
- Top public schools: Park City High School (A), Jeremy Ranch School (A), Parleys Park School (A)
- Top private schools: Park City Day School (unavailable), Little Miners Montessori School (unavailable), SAIL Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Park City (A), Summit Park (A), Snyderville (A)
- Pictured: 253 White Pine Canyon Rd, Park City ($38.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $641,900 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,429 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $102,958
- Top public schools: Park City High School (A), Jeremy Ranch School (A), Parleys Park School (A)
- Top private schools: Park City Day School (unavailable), Little Miners Montessori School (unavailable), SAIL Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Park City (A), Summit Park (A), Snyderville (A)
- Pictured: 253 White Pine Canyon Rd, Park City ($38.0 million, 7 bedrooms)
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#4. Salt Lake County
- Population: 1,133,646
- Median home value: $305,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,118 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $74,865
- Top public schools: Beehive Science & Technology Academy (BSTA) (A+), Academy for Math, Engineering & Science (AMES) (A+), Salt Lake Arts Academy (A+)
- Top private schools: The Waterford School (A+), Rowland Hall (A+), Juan Diego Catholic High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Greater Avenues (A+), Wasatch Hollow (A+), East Bench (A+)
- Pictured: 2929 S 7785 W, Magna ($350,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $305,700 (67% own)
- Median rent: $1,118 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $74,865
- Top public schools: Beehive Science & Technology Academy (BSTA) (A+), Academy for Math, Engineering & Science (AMES) (A+), Salt Lake Arts Academy (A+)
- Top private schools: The Waterford School (A+), Rowland Hall (A+), Juan Diego Catholic High School (A+)
- Top places to live: Greater Avenues (A+), Wasatch Hollow (A+), East Bench (A+)
- Pictured: 2929 S 7785 W, Magna ($350,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#3. Utah County
- Population: 605,490
- Median home value: $305,500 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $74,665
- Top public schools: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy (A+), Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (A+), Timpview High School (A)
- Top private schools: American Heritage School (A), Liahona Preparatory Academy (A), Ivy Hall Academy (A)
- Top places to live: Highland (A), Orem (A), Alpine (A)
- Pictured: 6131 W Dry Creek Rd, Highland ($3.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $305,500 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,060 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $74,665
- Top public schools: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy (A+), Utah County Academy of Sciences (UCAS) (A+), Timpview High School (A)
- Top private schools: American Heritage School (A), Liahona Preparatory Academy (A), Ivy Hall Academy (A)
- Top places to live: Highland (A), Orem (A), Alpine (A)
- Pictured: 6131 W Dry Creek Rd, Highland ($3.9 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#2. Cache County
- Population: 124,165
- Median home value: $236,500 (63% own)
- Median rent: $803 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $59,038
- Top public schools: Bear River Charter School (A), InTech Collegiate Academy (A), Edith Bowen Laboratory School (A)
- Top private schools: Logan River Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: North Logan (A), Providence (A), River Heights (A)
- Pictured: 3280 N 1950 E, North Logan ($1.7 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $236,500 (63% own)
- Median rent: $803 (37% rent)
- Median household income: $59,038
- Top public schools: Bear River Charter School (A), InTech Collegiate Academy (A), Edith Bowen Laboratory School (A)
- Top private schools: Logan River Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: North Logan (A), Providence (A), River Heights (A)
- Pictured: 3280 N 1950 E, North Logan ($1.7 million, 6 bedrooms)
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#1. Davis County
- Population: 345,767
- Median home value: $290,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,105 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $83,310
- Top public schools: Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science (NUAMES) (A+), Viewmont High School (A), Davis High School (A)
- Top private schools: Layton Christian Academy (A-), Dorius Academy (B+), Academy at Solstice (A)
- Top places to live: Kaysville (A+), Centerville (A), Farmington (A)
- Pictured: 620 E Happy Hollow Rd, Kaysville ($2.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $290,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,105 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $83,310
- Top public schools: Northern Utah Academy for Math, Engineering & Science (NUAMES) (A+), Viewmont High School (A), Davis High School (A)
- Top private schools: Layton Christian Academy (A-), Dorius Academy (B+), Academy at Solstice (A)
- Top places to live: Kaysville (A+), Centerville (A), Farmington (A)
- Pictured: 620 E Happy Hollow Rd, Kaysville ($2.2 million, 5 bedrooms)
