January 18, 2017
If you are looking for a good place to set down roots and raise a family, look no farther than New Jersey which was named the best state to do so in the region.
WalletHub, a personal finance website, released a study Wednesday on the "Best & Worst States to Raise a Family," ranking New Jersey No. 7. The other members of the tri-state area didn't fare too badly but were in the middle of the pack. Delaware earned the 16th spot while Pennsylvania placed 27th.
Researchers compiled the list by considering 40 key indicators of family-friendly features, including unemployment rates, median family salary and housing affordability.
So what makes the Garden State a top spot for raising children?
Well, the study determined that New Jersey was the best state for providing education and child care. The state's ranking hinged on the quality of its public schools, child-care costs and parental leave laws.
New Jersey's spot was also bolstered by top 10 ranks in affordability, health and safety.
Surprisingly, New Jersey's lowest rankings came in the study's "Family Fun" category where the state earned the 26th spot. The study examined the number of attractions in the state, but apparently Adventure Aquarium, Six Flags Great Adventure and the Jersey Shore (just to name a few) weren't enough.
Here are the five best states for raising a family, according to WalletHub's list:
1. North Dakota
2. New Hampshire
3. Vermont
4. Minnesota
5. Nebraska
