Here Are The 10 Best Towns In Rhode Island To Raise A Family

Rhode Island is undoubtedly one of the greatest states in the nation - and it's also one of the best places to raise a family. With great schools, lots of access to culture, and plenty of natural beauty, it's no wonder so many people want to live in the tiniest and mightiest state. Certain towns are the best places to live in Rhode Island, while others are the best places to raise a family in Rhode Island. Taking into consideration numerous factors like public schools, crime rates, cost of living, family-friendly amenities, and more, here are the best towns in Rhode Island to raise a family.

Note that this ranking only looked at towns, not cities of over 100,000.

1. Barrington

Barrington is only seven miles from all the cultural and economic opportunities of Providence. But with a population of around 16,000, it has a small-town feel. It has some of the best schools and highest test scores in the country, yet remains fairly affordable. All in all, it's hard to imagine a better town!

2. Jamestown

Almost all of Jamestown is located on Conanicut Island in Narragansett Bay. With a population of 5,405, the town has a great elementary school and middle school, but no high school - students move on to high school on the mainland. It isn't cheap to live on the island though. Forbes lists Jamestown as the 44th wealthiest town in America.

3. East Greenwich

With a beautiful waterfront and amazing schools, it's no wonder that East Greenwich is one of the hottest places to live in Rhode Island. It's also the wealthiest municipality in the state, so start saving your pennies.

4. North Kingstown

This suburb of Providence has a population of about 35,000, so it's perfect if you're looking for a somewhat bigger town but still want to be outside the city itself. It's on the train line to Providence and Boston, so it's great for commuters - and it's full of history.

5. South Kingstown

This Providence suburb of around 30,000 has more than 10 miles of beaches, perfect for those long summer days, and it also has great educational and arts opportunities.

6. Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a great town for sports fans as its high school teams regularly rank among the top in the state. With a population of around 17,000, it's just the right size.

7. Lincoln

North of Providence, Lincoln has easy access to both the Ocean State's capital and to Boston. It has a population of around 21,000 and a fantastic school system.

8. Narragansett

Narragansett's population is around 16,000 year-round, but it doubles during the summer. Year-round residents, though, can enjoy the beaches even after the tourists have gone, and also have fantastic schools.

9. West Greenwich

This small town has about 6,000 people and a cozy feel - perfect for families who want to get to know their neighbors.

10. Middletown

In between Providence and Newport, Middletown has access to the best of both cities. Both the public and private schools are excellent.

If you're looking for a slightly more offbeat place to raise your family, why not check out the most eccentric town in Rhode Island?