Best Towns to Raise Children in and Around Norfolk, Virginia

Whether you have small kids, teens, or may be expecting a bundle of joy in the next few months, finding a town to raise children can be a challenge, but it doesn't have to be with the right information.

For example, if you're planning to move to Norfolk, Va., or surrounding area, or already live in the city but need a new neighborhood, there are some of the best towns to raise in in the cultural heart of the Hampton Roads region.

Looking for lots of greenery or a park? Places to walk to and from? Shopping? Top schools? Keep adding to discover which are the best town to raise children in the area.

Best Towns

Even though they say, “Virginia is for Lovers“ the state offers a bit of something to everyone. Like what? A gorgeous landscape, cultural diversity, varied climate, and more.

Known as the first of the 13 original colonies Norfolk, Va., continues to attract new residents and many with children.

From great schools to providing lots of things to do Norfolk has a myriad of activities for kids to partake with their families.

As for other key amenities according to a study about the best towns to raise children in Norfolk, Va., from 2019, the area offers an excellent opportunity for economic growth, and at the time had the 12th highest nominal GDP and the 12th highest per-capita personal income in the US.

Virginia’s public schools then outranked those in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

The same study compared 83 of its largest cities across 21 key indicators of family-friendliness.

The data set ranged from “median family income” to “school-system quality” to “housing affordability.”

The study concluded Virginia has lots of things to offer families from education and strong employment to outdoor activities and events for families

The study narrowed the scope by looking at cities with populations of more than 25,000. To rank these cities, WalletHub who conducted the study, analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau and scored them based on the following factors:

• Percentage of residents with a high school degree or higher: the higher school graduates, the better the school systems.
• Average commute time: the lower the number, the less time spent in gridlock, and the more time with family.
• Percentage of families with children under 18.
• Percentage of residents living in the same residence for one year or longer: this figure indicated whether existing residents have confidence and commitment in their local community
• Percentage of income for housing: while residents want a great place to live, they also want some level of affordability, and this figure shows how a home in a particular area will fit into the family budget.

Top 10 Cities in for Families According to the study.

10. NORFOLK

Residents with high school degree: 85.3%

Average commute time: 21.9 minutes

Families with children under 18: 27.3%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 77.5%

Income for housing: 29.5%

While Norfolk has the highest percentage of income being used toward housing, the research revealed it also has one of the shortest commute times for the Hampton Roads area, making it a convenient location if want to avoid being stuck in a traffic jam.

Norfolk has the largest U.S. Naval base in the world, and its major employers include NATO, Norfolk Southern Railway, and Old Dominion University. Norfolk is also the home base for the Virginia Opera.

9. MANASSAS

Residents with high school degree: 82.2%

Average commute time: 33.5 minutes

Families with children under 18: 39.2%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 82.5%

Income for housing: 25.8%

Manassas has the longest commute time in the top 10, but it can still be a wonderful place for young families. The city boasts the smallest population on the list, making it attractive to families looking for a smaller atmosphere vs a populated urban space. As part of the Washington metropolitan area, Manassas is perfect for residents who need to commute to Capitol Hill, but they also have access to other major employers besides the federal government, like Colgan Air, Micron Technology, and Lockheed Martin. On a side note, the city has two early Civil War battlefields, the First and Second Battles of Bull Run.

8. ROANOKE

Residents with high school degree: 82.2%

Average commute time: 18.6 minutes

Families with children under 18: 21.9%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 80.7%

Income for housing: 24.4%

Located in southwest Virginia, Roanoke has the lowest percentage of families with kids under 18 but offers lower housing expenses. Additionally, Roanoke’s downtown area has undergone a terrific revitalization over the years making it the location for live music, shopping, and more. There are several nearby colleges and universities, including Roanoke College, Hollins University, and Virginia Tech.

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7. LYNCHBURG

Residents with high school degree: 85.2%

Average commute time: 16.9 minutes

Families with children under 18: 24.6%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 75.7%

Income for housing: 24.6%

Lynchburg has the shortest commute time on the list, but its housing turnover rate is high. Also, the local economy is doing okay, with a variety of industries like nuclear technology and pharmaceuticals. The area offers outdoor activities for families, such as Crabtree Falls, the longest waterfall in the eastern part of the country.

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6. NEWPORT NEWS

Residents with high school degree: 89.8%

Average commute time: 22.1 minutes

Families with children under 18: 29.9%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 76.1%

Income for housing: 25.4%

Newport News has the highest population of high school graduates and is an excellent choice for young families in the Hampton Roads region. The local economy is typically reliant on the military and maritime industry, with a massive shipbuilding yard, coal piers, and the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility. Newport News is home to the Virginia War Museum and the U.S. Army Transportation Museum.

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5. LEESBURG

Residents with high school degree: 87.6%

Average commute time: 31.6 minutes

Families with children under 18: 43.6%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 84.9%

Income for housing: 24.2%

The city of Leesburg has one of the higher commute times, but don’t let that turn you off. Leesburg has the highest percentage of families with kids under 18, and one of the lower amounts of income spent on housing. Tons of family-friendly events include a Fourth of July celebration and a Halloween parade, as well as some terrific outlet shopping.

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4. HAMPTON

Residents with high school degree: 89%

Average commute time: 21.7 minutes

Families with children under 18: 27.5%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 85%

Income for housing: 25.8%

Among the Hampton Roads cities on the list, Hampton has the shortest commute time. The city has several notable institutions, including the NASA Langley Research Center, the National Institute of Aerospace, and Langley Air Force Base. For family fun, visit Buckroe Beach, which has boats as a performance pavilion, fishing pier, food vendors, playground, and kayak rentals.

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3. VIRGINIA BEACH

Residents with high school degree: 93.1%

Average commute time: 22.7 minutes

Families with children under 18: 32.6%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 81.5%

Income for housing: 26.1%

Virginia Beach has the highest percentage of people with at least a high school degree. However, it also has some of the highest housing costs, probably because of the price of waterfront properties. While the beach is its most popular amenities, the area also has many employment opportunities through such groups as Amerigroup, the Christian Broadcasting Network, Stihl, and more. Besides the beach, families can enjoy the skate part at Mount Trashmore, hike at First Landing State Park, and enjoy the Rock ’n’ Roll half marathon, a popular event for runners.

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2. SUFFOLK

Residents with high school degree: 86.1%

Average commute time: 27.9 minutes

Families with children under 18: 34.9%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 86.6

Income for housing: 23.9%

Suffolk has the highest commute time of all the Hampton Roads cities, but that also has the highest percentage of people in the same house for more than a year. Suffolk could very well be a terrific place to reside with kids. Jobs here are usually in agriculture, including Planter’s Peanuts, and technology, such as Lockheed Martin’s Center for Innovation. Lots of outdoor action cities to do with the family from hiking and bike riding.

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1. CHESAPEAKE

Residents with high school degree: 89.6%

Average commute time: 24.4 minutes

Families with children under 18: 35.1%

Residents living in the same house as last year: 86.1%

Income for housing: 24.9%

Chesapeake was found to be the best place to live in the area and one that is wonderful for young families. There are numerous corporate employers, including HSBC Finance, Sentara Healthcare, Cox Communications, and Hewlett-Packard. For fun, there's the Chesapeake Arboretum with the family for free, or hopping in a boat to ride through the Intracoastal Waterway’s Dismal Swamp Canal.

Virginia and its towns are excellent places to raise children, work, shop, and enjoy the great outdoors. Calling any of the town’s home would be suitable for new families with kids or those who have teens and want a nice place for them to be raised.

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