These Are The Top 25 Places To Raise A Family In Maryland

As kids back in school, parents won't need to worry if they're getting a quality education in many Maryland communities, according to a list that ranks the best places for families.

Quality of public schools was just one of many factors Niche took into consideration when compiling 2025's list of Best Places to Raise a Family in America. To determine which places topped the list, Niche analyzed data from sources like the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Education and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Researchers also took into consideration millions of reviews from students, parents and residents.

Report cards for each place were then compiled based on factors including public schools, higher education rate, cost of living, crime and safety, housing and family amenities.

In Maryland, the best place to raise a family is Potomac in Montgomery County.

According to Niche, Potomac is also among the best places to live in Maryland. With a population of just over 46,000 people, Potomac offers residents a dense suburban feel, and most residents own their homes. The city also boasts many restaurants, coffee shops and parks, and the public schools are highly rated.

"Potomac is a fantastic place to live! Not only is everything in Potomac within a convenient 20-minute car ride to each other and major highways, but it is also an exceptionally beautiful area," one reviewer wrote. "I am constantly blown away by the architecture, infrastructure, and natural beauty I encounter on a daily basis in Potomac."

The second-best place to raise a family in Maryland is Fulton, a town of just under 6,000 people in Howard County.

According to Niche, living in Fulton offers residents a suburban-rural feel. The town also earned high marks from the publication for its schools, jobs, housing and outdoor activities.

"This is a wonderful community to raise a family in," one reviewer wrote about Fulton. "The local parks, schools and restaurants are all fantastic. The neighbors are mostly friendly, and this is a very safe community. Maple Lawn, in particular, is an ideal location for raising children, and I highly recommend it!"

Rounding out the top three best places to raise a family is North Potomac, another Montgomery County community with a population of just under 24,000.

"North Potomac is the complete package," one reviewer wrote. "Within a 5-minute drive, you can be at a James Beard Award-nominated restaurant, on a hike, at a wine bar, at a library, at a delicious bakery, shopping in a locally owned boutique, at a fabulous park… the list goes on and on."

Here are the top 25 places in Maryland to raise a family:

1. Potomac, Montgomery County
2. Fulton, Howard County
3. North Potomac, Montgomery County
4. South Kensington, Montgomery County
5. Ellicott City, Howard County
6. Bethesda, Montgomery County
7. North Bethesda, Montgomery County
8. Urbana, Frederick County
9. Travilah, Montgomery County
10. Kensington, Montgomery County
11. Four Corners, Montgomery County
12. Monrovia, Frederick County
13. Chevy Chase, Montgomery County
14. Clarksburg, Montgomery County
15. Chevy Chase View, Montgomery County
16. Chevy Chase Village, Montgomery County
17. Somerset, Montgomery County
18. Brookmont, Montgomery County
19. Cabin John, Montgomery County
20. Chevy Chase Section Three, Montgomery County
21. Scaggsville, Howard County
22. Rockville, Montgomery County
23. Olney, Montgomery County
24. Poolesville, Montgomery County
25. Darnestown, Montgomery County

See Niche's full ranking online.

READ MORE:

• These Maryland Cities Among Best Places To Raise A Family
• Best States To Raise A Family: Here's How MD Ranked
• These Are MD's Best Counties To Live In: See The List