When searching for the ideal town to raise a family, things like top-notch schools, safe neighborhoods, and plenty of parks and things to do for families are among the most important criteria. Niche recently released its 2025 rankings of the best places to raise a family in America and two New Jersey towns made it into the top 10!
Niche analyzed public schools, the percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, the cost of living, crime and safety, housing, access to parks, libraries, cultural activities, and family-oriented amenities, percentage of households with kids, walkability, the percentage of residents under age 18 below the poverty level, and the overall percentage of kids age 17 and younger.
A total of 16 New Jersey towns landed on the overall list.
Haworth came in 5th overall, and is the No. 1 place in NJ to raise a family. Located on the Oradell Reservoir, it’s close to Manhattan, making it an easy day trip from Bergen County for any of its 3,000+ residents. There’s a small downtown area in the town that Brooke Shields and Philip Bosco used to call home. It’s considered tight-knit and a “true hometown,” according to the New York Times.
Schools are highly rated here, with Haworth public schools serving kids through eighth grade and high school students attending Northern Valley Regional High School at Demarest, a National Blue Ribbon School. Haworth is also home to the White Beeches Golf & Country Club and the Haworth Country Club.
Ranked No. 7, Mountain Lakes is just under 3 miles and yet has nine manmade lakes. With a population of less than 5,000, this town in Morris County is also tight-knit and many professionals commute to NYC via train. There is a high percentage of families with kids under 18—which means there are always kids around for play dates, BBQs and block parties. Mountain Lakes High School is consistently ranked among New Jersey’s best high schools. According to the New York Times, much of the town feels like a “resort getaway.”
The Best Places to Raise a Family in the U.S., according to Niche:
- Chesterbrook, PA
- Kensington, NY
- Penn Wynne, PA
- Hinsdale, IL
- Haworth, NJ
- Clarendon Hills, IL
- Mountain Lakes, NJ
- Kildeer, IL
- Madison, AL
- Long Grove, IL
The Best Places in New Jersey to Raise a Family That Made it Into the Top 100:
19. Ho-Ho-Kus
31. Harrington Park
35. Chatham
41. Ridgewood
43. Princeton
50. Closter
55. Princeton Junction
62. River Edge
79. Short Hills
80. Haddonfield
83. Upper Saddle River
88. Summit
92. Bernardsville
98. Livingston
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Read More:
The Best Small Towns to Raise a Family in NJ, According to Stacker
These Are the 50 Best Elementary Schools in NJ, According to Niche
These Are the 50 Best Middle Schools in NJ, According to US News & World Report
These Are The Best Places in New Jersey to Raise a Family
