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 wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Georgia using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
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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#30. Walton County, Georgia
– Population: 95,453
– Median home value: $231,900 (76% own)
– Median rent: $1,045 (24% own)
– Median household income: $71,692
– Top public schools: Loganville Elementary School (grade A minus), Sharon Elementary School (grade A minus), Youth Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: George Walton Academy (grade A), Loganville Christian Academy (grade A minus), Victory Baptist School (grade B minus)
– Top places to live: Loganville (grade A minus), Social Circle (grade B+), Walnut Grove (grade B minus)
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#29. Henry County, Georgia
– Population: 236,615
– Median home value: $202,300 (72% own)
– Median rent: $1,255 (28% own)
– Median household income: $73,491
– Top public schools: Union Grove High School (grade A), Ola High School (grade A minus), East Lake Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy (grade A), Community Christian School (grade A), Strong Rock Christian School (grade A)
– Top places to live: Heron Bay (grade A minus), Stockbridge (grade B+), Hampton (grade B)
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#28. Jackson County, Georgia
– Population: 73,839
– Median home value: $235,100 (79% own)
– Median rent: $903 (21% own)
– Median household income: $73,455
– Top public schools: Jefferson Middle School (grade A), Jefferson Academy (grade A), Jefferson High School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Braselton Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Jackson Trail Christian School (grade unavailable), Easterseals Child Development Center at Jackson (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Braselton (grade A), Jefferson (grade A minus), Hoschton (grade B+)
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#27. Barrow County, Georgia
– Population: 82,138
– Median home value: $183,200 (78% own)
– Median rent: $1,059 (22% own)
– Median household income: $68,365
– Top public schools: Bramlett Elementary School (grade B+), Yargo Elementary School (grade B+), Bear Creek Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Bethlehem Christian Academy (grade B), Barrow County Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Westbrook Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Statham (grade A minus), Auburn (grade B+), Winder (grade B)
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#26. Whitfield County, Georgia
– Population: 103,076
– Median home value: $150,700 (66% own)
– Median rent: $778 (34% own)
– Median household income: $52,439
– Top public schools: Cohutta Elementary School (grade B+), Westside Middle School (grade B+), Tunnel Hill Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Christian Heritage School (grade A), Dogwood Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Learning Tree Elementary School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Dalton (grade B), Varnell (grade B), Tunnel Hill (grade B)
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#25. DeKalb County, Georgia
– Population: 758,634
– Median home value: $255,600 (57% own)
– Median rent: $1,312 (43% own)
– Median household income: $69,423
– Top public schools: DeKalb School of the Arts (grade A+), Chamblee Charter High School (grade A+), Decatur High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Paideia School (grade A+), Marist School (grade A+), Midtown International School (grade A+)
– Top places to live: North Decatur (grade A+), Candler Park (grade A+), Decatur (grade A+)
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#24. Madison County, Georgia
– Population: 29,906
– Median home value: $156,200 (72% own)
– Median rent: $839 (28% own)
– Median household income: $51,854
– Top public schools: Comer Elementary School (grade A), Danielsville Elementary School (grade A minus), Ila Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Comer (grade A minus), Danielsville (grade A minus), Carlton (grade B)
– Top places to live: grade B+
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#23. Hall County, Georgia
– Population: 201,703
– Median home value: $233,600 (70% own)
– Median rent: $1,073 (30% own)
– Median household income: $67,571
– Top public schools: Flowery Branch High School (grade A minus), World Language Academy Middle School (grade A minus), Mount Vernon Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Lakeview Academy (grade A), Riverside Preparatory Academy (grade A), Lanier Christian Academy (grade A minus)
– Top places to live: Flowery Branch (grade A minus), Oakwood (grade B+), Gainesville (grade B)
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#22. Paulding County, Georgia
– Population: 165,688
– Median home value: $204,700 (79% own)
– Median rent: $1,314 (21% own)
– Median household income: $80,234
– Top public schools: Floyd L. Shelton Elementary School at Crossroad (grade B+), Burnt Hickory Elementary School (grade B+), Sammy McClure Sr. Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Childcare Network Dallas Cedarcrest Road (grade unavailable), Childcare Network Dallas Ridge Road (grade unavailable), Childcare Network Hiram (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Hiram (grade A minus), Dallas (grade B minus), Braswell (grade B)
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#21. Bryan County, Georgia
– Population: 43,278
– Median home value: $243,800 (73% own)
– Median rent: $1,344 (27% own)
– Median household income: $81,032
– Top public schools: McAllister Elementary School (grade A minus), Richmond Hill High School (grade A minus), Richmond Hill Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Richmond Hill Montessori Preschool (grade unavailable), First Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Richmond Hill (grade B+), Pembroke (grade B)
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#20. Habersham County, Georgia
– Population: 45,767
– Median home value: $160,300 (78% own)
– Median rent: $819 (22% own)
– Median household income: $56,680
– Top public schools: Demorest Elementary School (grade A minus), North Habersham Middle School (grade A minus), Hazel Grove Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Tallulah Falls School (grade A+), The Torch Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Trinity Classical School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Clarkesville (grade A), Cornelia (grade A minus), Demorest (grade A minus)
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#19. Harris County, Georgia
– Population: 34,316
– Median home value: $238,200 (89% own)
– Median rent: $865 (11% own)
– Median household income: $82,244
– Top public schools: Harris County Carver Middle School (grade A minus), New Mountain Hill Elementary School (grade A minus), Pine Ridge Elementary School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Waverly Hall Christian Academy (grade A minus)
– Top places to live: Pine Mountain (grade A), Shiloh (grade A minus), Hamilton (grade B+)
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#18. Camden County, Georgia
– Population: 54,256
– Median home value: $182,500 (63% own)
– Median rent: $1,038 (37% own)
– Median household income: $61,636
– Top public schools: Sugarmill Elementary School (grade A), Kingsland Elementary School (grade A), Mary Lee Clark Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: New Hope Christian Academy (grade unavailable), Advance Learning Center (grade unavailable), Childtime of Kingsland (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: St. Marys (grade B+), Kingsland (grade B+), Woodbine (grade B+)
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#17. Glynn County, Georgia
– Population: 84,373
– Median home value: $204,900 (67% own)
– Median rent: $960 (33% own)
– Median household income: $60,775
– Top public schools: Oglethorpe Point Elementary School (grade A), St. Simons Elementary School (grade A), Glynn Academy (grade A)
– Top private schools: Frederica Academy (grade A+), Heritage Christian Academy (grade B+), Brunswick Christian Academy (grade B)
– Top places to live: St. Simons (grade A), Country Club Estates (grade B+), Dock Junction (grade B)
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#16. Lowndes County, Georgia
– Population: 117,437
– Median home value: $154,200 (54% own)
– Median rent: $851 (46% own)
– Median household income: $48,703
– Top public schools: Pine Grove Middle School (grade A), Hahira Elementary School (grade A), Hahira Middle School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Valwood School (grade A minus), Highland Christian Academy (grade B+), Georgia Christian School (grade B)
– Top places to live: Hahira (grade A minus), Valdosta (grade B minus), Lake Park (grade B minus)
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#15. Douglas County, Georgia
– Population: 143,520
– Median home value: $182,300 (66% own)
– Median rent: $1,194 (34% own)
– Median household income: $67,731
– Top public schools: Holly Springs Elementary School (grade A minus), Mirror Lake Elementary School (grade B+), Chapel Hill Middle School (grade B+)
– Top private schools: Harvester Christian Academy (grade A), Heirway Christian Academy (grade B+), King’s Way Christian School (grade B+)
– Top places to live: Lithia Springs (grade B+), Douglasville (grade B)
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#14. Monroe County, Georgia
– Population: 27,825
– Median home value: $178,800 (83% own)
– Median rent: $789 (17% own)
– Median household income: $67,154
– Top public schools: T.G. Scott Elementary School (grade A minus), Monroe County Middle School – Banks Stephens Campus (grade A minus), Samuel E. Hubbard Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Wynfield Christian Academy (grade A minus)
– Top places to live: Forsyth (grade B+), Culloden (grade B)
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#13. Carroll County, Georgia
– Population: 118,402
– Median home value: $162,300 (69% own)
– Median rent: $964 (31% own)
– Median household income: $62,498
– Top public schools: Ithica Elementary School (grade A), Whitesburg Elementary School (grade A), Central Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Oak Mountain Academy (grade A), Holy Ground Baptist Academy (grade C+), Oak Grove Montessori School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Carrollton (grade A minus), Villa Rica (grade A minus), Temple (grade B)
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#12. Morgan County, Georgia
– Population: 19,694
– Median home value: $240,300 (75% own)
– Median rent: $923 (25% own)
– Median household income: $71,000
– Top public schools: Morgan County Middle School (grade A), Morgan County High School (grade A minus), Morgan County Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Philadelphia Christian School (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Madison (grade A minus), Bostwick (grade A minus), Rutledge (grade B+)
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#11. Lee County, Georgia
– Population: 32,547
– Median home value: $178,500 (76% own)
– Median rent: $1,014 (24% own)
– Median household income: $74,935
– Top public schools: Lee County Elementary School (grade A minus), Twin Oaks Elementary School (grade A minus), Lee County Middle School – West Campus (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Montessori Preparatory Academy of Lee (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Leesburg (grade A minus), Smithville (grade B minus)
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#10. Coweta County, Georgia
– Population: 144,928
– Median home value: $242,800 (76% own)
– Median rent: $1,213 (24% own)
– Median household income: $83,486
– Top public schools: Coweta Charter Academy (grade A), Brooks Elementary School (grade A minus), Madras Middle School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Heritage School (grade A), Central Christian School (grade B+), Trinity Christian School (grade B+)
– Top places to live: Senoia (grade A), Newnan (grade A minus), Grantville (grade B minus)
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#9. Fulton County, Georgia
– Population: 1,054,286
– Median home value: $345,100 (53% own)
– Median rent: $1,367 (47% own)
– Median household income: $77,635
– Top public schools: Northview High School (grade A+), Alpharetta High School (grade A+), Chattahoochee High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Westminster Schools (grade A+), Fulton Science Academy Private School (grade A+), Atlanta International School (grade A+)
– Top places to live: Atlantic Station (grade A+), Alpharetta (grade A+), Johns Creek (grade A+)
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#8. Cherokee County, Georgia
– Population: 262,155
– Median home value: $292,300 (77% own)
– Median rent: $1,421 (23% own)
– Median household income: $90,681
– Top public schools: Hickory Flat Elementary School (grade A), Etowah High School (grade A), Liberty Elementary School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: Lyndon Academy (grade A), Cherokee Christian Schools (grade A), The King’s Academy (grade B+)
– Top places to live: Woodstock (grade A), Holly Springs (grade A), Ball Ground (grade A minus)
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#7. Houston County, Georgia
– Population: 161,177
– Median home value: $161,200 (66% own)
– Median rent: $983 (34% own)
– Median household income: $70,313
– Top public schools: C. B. Watson Primary School (grade A), Matthew Arthur Elementary School (grade A), Houston County High School (grade A minus)
– Top private schools: The Westfield School (grade A minus), Sacred Heart Catholic School (grade unavailable), Westside Baptist Academy (grade unavailable)
– Top places to live: Perry (grade A minus), Warner Robins (grade A minus), Centerville (grade B+)
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#6. Columbia County, Georgia
– Population: 154,274
– Median home value: $228,300 (80% own)
– Median rent: $1,192 (20% own)
– Median household income: $85,928
– Top public schools: Lakeside High School (grade A), Stevens Creek Elementary School (grade A), River Ridge Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Augusta Preparatory Day School (grade A+), Evans Christian Academy (grade A minus), Augusta Christian Schools (grade A minus)
– Top places to live: Evans (grade A+), Martinez (grade A+), Harlem (grade A minus)
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#5. Gwinnett County, Georgia
– Population: 948,505
– Median home value: $256,700 (67% own)
– Median rent: $1,414 (33% own)
– Median household income: $75,853
– Top public schools: Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science & Technology (grade A+), North Gwinnett High School (grade A+), Buford High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Wesleyan School (grade A+), Notre Dame Academy (grade A+), Greater Atlanta Christian School (grade A+)
– Top places to live: Suwanee (grade A+), Duluth (grade A+), Berkeley Lake (grade A+)
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#4. Cobb County, Georgia
– Population: 762,500
– Median home value: $293,800 (66% own)
– Median rent: $1,367 (34% own)
– Median household income: $86,013
– Top public schools: Walton High School (grade A+), Wheeler High School (grade A+), Lassiter High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: The Walker School (grade A+), Mount Paran Christian School (grade A+), Whitefield Academy (grade A+)
– Top places to live: Vinings (grade A+), Smyrna (grade A+), Kennesaw (grade A)
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#3. Fayette County, Georgia
– Population: 117,828
– Median home value: $309,300 (81% own)
– Median rent: $1,482 (19% own)
– Median household income: $96,084
– Top public schools: McIntosh High School (grade A+), Starrs Mill High School (grade A+), Kedron Elementary School (grade A)
– Top private schools: Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School (grade A minus), Grace Christian Academy (grade B+), The Campus Schools (grade B)
– Top places to live: Peachtree City (grade A+), Tyrone (grade A+), Fayetteville (grade A minus)
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#2. Oconee County, Georgia
– Population: 41,006
– Median home value: $329,700 (84% own)
– Median rent: $1,203 (16% own)
– Median household income: $106,165
– Top public schools: North Oconee High School (grade A+), Dove Creek Elementary School (grade A+), Oconee County Elementary School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Athens Academy (grade A+), Prince Avenue Christian School (grade A), Westminster Christian Academy (grade A minus)
– Top places to live: Watkinsville (grade A), Bogart (grade A), Bishop (grade A+)
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#1. Forsyth County, Georgia
– Population: 245,754
– Median home value: $385,600 (84% own)
– Median rent: $1,619 (16% own)
– Median household income: $120,999
– Top public schools: Lambert High School (grade A+), South Forsyth High School (grade A+), Denmark High School (grade A+)
– Top private schools: Pinecrest Academy (grade A+), Friendship Christian School (grade A), Covenant Christian Academy (grade A)
– Top places to live: Cumming (grade A)
