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.
#15. Mohave County
– Niche grades: good for families (C-), public schools (C+), cost of living (C), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B-)
– Population: 217,420
– Median household income: $55,799
– Median home value: $253,200
– Top places to live: Desert Hills (B), Kingman (C+), Colorado City (C)
#14. Gila County
– Niche grades: good for families (C-), public schools (C), cost of living (C), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B-)
– Population: 53,610
– Median household income: $59,089
– Median home value: $247,000
– Top places to live: Globe (B-), Claypool (B-), Miami (B-)
#13. La Paz County
– Niche grades: good for families (C-), public schools (C+), cost of living (B), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B)
– Population: 16,605
– Median household income: $49,506
– Median home value: $117,600
– Top places to live: Parker (B-), Quartzsite (C+), Bluewater (B)
#12. Yavapai County
– Niche grades: good for families (C), public schools (B), cost of living (D+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (A-)
– Population: 241,656
– Median household income: $66,106
– Median home value: $392,900
– Top places to live: Sedona (B+), Prescott (B), Williamson (B)
#11. Yuma County
– Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C), cost of living (C+), weather (A+), outdoor activities (C+)
– Population: 207,685
– Median household income: $60,417
– Median home value: $195,700
– Top places to live: Yuma (B-), Somerton (C+), Fortuna Foothills (C+)
#10. Apache County
– Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C), cost of living (B+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (C+)
– Population: 65,680
– Median household income: $40,338
– Median home value: $68,500
– Top places to live: St. Johns (A), Eagar (B+), Springerville (B)
#9. Navajo County
– Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C), cost of living (B-), weather (B), outdoor activities (B-)
– Population: 107,744
– Median household income: $52,752
– Median home value: $186,100
– Top places to live: Show Low (B+), Holbrook (B), Taylor (B-)
#8. Pinal County
– Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C), cost of living (C-), weather (A+), outdoor activities (B+)
– Population: 449,219
– Median household income: $77,588
– Median home value: $312,100
– Top places to live: San Tan Valley (B), Florence (B-), Maricopa (B-)
#7. Coconino County
– Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (B-), cost of living (D+), weather (B+), outdoor activities (B+)
– Population: 144,643
– Median household income: $69,748
– Median home value: $413,200
– Top places to live: Flagstaff (B+), Page (B+), Kachina Village (B)
#6. Santa Cruz County
– Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (B), cost of living (C), weather (A+), outdoor activities (B+)
– Population: 48,209
– Median household income: $53,614
– Median home value: $216,100
– Top places to live: Rio Rico (B-), Nogales (C+), Kino Springs (B-)
#5. Graham County
– Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (B), cost of living (C+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B)
– Population: 38,860
– Median household income: $67,326
– Median home value: $202,700
– Top places to live: Thatcher (A-), Safford (B), Pima (B-)
#4. Pima County
– Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (B-), cost of living (C-), weather (A+), outdoor activities (B)
– Population: 1,049,947
– Median household income: $67,929
– Median home value: $286,900
– Top places to live: Catalina Foothills (A+), Udall Park (A+), Rillito (A+)
#3. Maricopa County
– Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B), cost of living (D+), weather (A+), outdoor activities (A-)
– Population: 4,491,987
– Median household income: $85,518
– Median home value: $414,700
– Top places to live: Ahwatukee Foothills (A+), Gilbert (A), Scottsdale (A)
#2. Cochise County
– Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B+), cost of living (C+), weather (A), outdoor activities (B+)
– Population: 125,458
– Median household income: $58,970
– Median home value: $207,400
– Top places to live: Sierra Vista (A-), Benson (B), Bisbee (B-)
#1. Greenlee County
– Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (A), cost of living (B+), weather (A-), outdoor activities (B-)
– Population: 9,452
– Median household income: $75,239
– Median home value: $136,300
– Top places to live: Clifton (A-), York (B-), Duncan (B-)
