This article might not start with ‘Florida man…,’ but you should definitely keep reading to see the best places to raise a family in The Sunshine State because it’s just as informative. Incidentally, if you think that the only reason to bring your family to Florida is Disney World and Universal Studios in Orlando, think again. This state has a lot of great places for families and HomeSnacks is here to tell you where those places are located: we’ve created a list of the top ten most family friendly places in Florida for 2025 and listed them below.
But, before we divulge the top ten best places for families in America’s southernmost contiguous state, you need to know how HomeSnacks arrived at this conclusive list. First, we had to narrow down our search criteria so we looked at the latest Census for Florida cities with at least 10,000 residents. And with seven of the best cities to raise a family in the country located in Florida, it was quite the feat. But, we did it.
We also looked at the number of family friendly amenities each city has; and, readers, as you can imagine, there is no shortage of fun for families in the state where the sun shines close to 265 days/year. Yes, not only can the kids play outside ALL day most of the year, you can wear them out with beach trips to places like Clearwater and/or trips to Fort Lauderdale’s infamous biking trails.
So, if you’re looking for safe, family friendly Florida places with plenty of activities to keep your family happy and healthy, keep reading.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 10 Best Cities To Raise A Family In Florida For 2025
We analyzed 77 cities in Florida by ranking cities based upon “family-friendliness” factors like crime levels, quality of schools, and family activities.
What’s the best place for families in Florida? There was one clear winner: Key Biscayne ranked as the best place for famileis in Florida based on the data. If you haven’t heard of Key Biscayne, then you need to get to the Google Search bar. Key Biscayne scored an 8.5/10 on our SnackAbility scale.
Interested to see how your favorite Florida city stacked on the family-friendliness scale? Read on to learn more about our methodology and to see more detailed information about our top ten best cities in Florida to raise a family in 2025.
More reading about Florida and the best places for families in the country:
- Best Places To Live In Florida
- Cheapest Places To Live In Florida
- Best Cities To Raise A Family In America
- Best States To Raise A Family In America
The 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Florida For 2025
/10
Population: 14,560
Median Income: $172,604
Average Home Price: $1,238,700
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 48
Closest Major City: Miami
Households with kids: 44.8%
More on Key Biscayne: Data
Located on it’s own little private peninsula, off the East Coast of the Sunshine State, Key Biscayne scored the highest on our snackability scale: a big ‘ol 10/10. They scored strong across all criteria, but they made the most magic happen with a 10/10 in education. The residents, here, are smart, hard-working Floridians.
Not surprising considering they are basically their own private island. Hence the reason their city’s motto is “Island Paradise”.
We don’t know about you, but nothing says safe, family friendly livin’ like owning a piece of paradise.
/10
Population: 29,929
Median Income: $98,076
Average Home Price: $676,800
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 45
Closest Major City: Orlando
Households with kids: 20.3%
More on Winter Park: Data
This city in Orange County is another family friendly Disney-burb with tons of family friendly things to do.
Surrounded by water, Winter Park is a family friendly resort community with great shopping, art galleries, museums, parks, and multiple beaches.
And if you’re stressed about where to send your kids to school, you can stop now. Winter Park has multiple blue ribbon elementary schools, three gold star high schools and six colleges. #Score
/10
Population: 16,724
Median Income: $116,944
Average Home Price: $462,200
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 52
Closest Major City: Orlando
Households with kids: 26.1%
More on Lake Mary: Data
/10
Population: 39,990
Median Income: $114,092
Average Home Price: $428,500
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 37
Closest Major City: Orlando
Households with kids: 43.9%
More on Oviedo: Data
/10
Population: 30,731
Median Income: $97,255
Average Home Price: $577,300
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 61
Closest Major City: Hialeah
Households with kids: 33.0%
More on Miami Lakes: Data
We believe that for a city to be truly family friendly, it needs to be safe, hip, diverse, and it has to have a ton of family friendly activities..
This little city in Miami-Dade County is just that. They scored an 8/10 for safety, a 7/10 for diversity, and a 9.5/10 for family activities.
Word in the street, it’s also one of the youngest cities. Heck, their city’s motto is “Growing Beautifully”. Just think of the impact you and your family can have on an up and coming city.
/10
Population: 11,627
Median Income: $137,873
Average Home Price: $788,600
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 62
Closest Major City: Miami
Households with kids: 31.7%
More on Miami Shores: Data
/10
Population: 19,268
Median Income: $93,318
Average Home Price: $526,400
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 60
Closest Major City: Orlando
Households with kids: 22.6%
More on Maitland: Data
Surrounded by lakes and gardens, and just North of Disney World, any family would be lucky to call this city home.
This city scored off our charts with an 8.5/10 snackability rating with an emphasis on jobs, education, and family friendly amenities.
Not surprising considering they have four large parks and five museums in their backyard. And for all of those parents who don’t want their kids to fly the coop for college, Everglades University and University of Phoenix-Orlando are just a stone’s throw away as well.
We get why your city’s motto is “A Community for Life”.
/10
Population: 17,040
Median Income: $105,813
Average Home Price: $433,300
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 45
Closest Major City: Tampa
Households with kids: 25.2%
More on Safety Harbor: Data
/10
Population: 13,089
Median Income: $91,042
Average Home Price: $456,700
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 49
Closest Major City: Port St. Lucie
Households with kids: 15.2%
More on North Palm Beach: Data
/10
Population: 98,833
Median Income: $102,722
Average Home Price: $660,100
Family Friendly Amenities Score: 44
Closest Major City: Hialeah
Households with kids: 22.1%
More on Boca Raton: Data
Methodology: How do you determine which place is best for families in Florida anyways?
To give you the places in Florida that are best for families, we must look at a handful of metrics. We want to measure the criteria people want in a family-friendly city utilizing Saturday Night Science.
After researching U.S. Census data produced for the state of Florida, we looked at the data for every single city in the state. We paid particular attention to:
- Crime (Both violent and property)
- Quality of local schools
- Distance to a major city without necessarily being in it
- % of households with children
- Family-friendly amenities nearby (museums, libraries, and colleges)
We then gave each city a “Family Score.”
The higher the score, the better the city is for families. We also limited our results to cities with over 10,000 people. For Florida, that meant a total of 77 cities.
We updated this article for 2025. This is our tenth time ranking the best cities for families in Florida.
Summary: The Best Places To Raise A Family In Florida
If you’re looking for a breakdown of cities in Florida ranked by criteria that most agree make a place a great spot for families, this is an accurate list.
The best places for families in Florida are Key Biscayne, Winter Park, Lake Mary, Oviedo, Miami Lakes, Miami Shores, Maitland, Safety Harbor, North Palm Beach, and Boca Raton.
Here’s a look at the best cities for singles Florida according to the data:
- Belle Glade
- Zephyrhills
- Palatka
For more Florida reading, check out:
Best Places For Families In Florida
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Average Home Price | Amenities Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Key Biscayne, FL | 14,560 | $172,604 | $1,238,700 | 31 |
| 2 | Winter Park, FL | 29,929 | $98,076 | $676,800 | 52 |
| 3 | Lake Mary, FL | 16,724 | $116,944 | $462,200 | 61 |
| 4 | Oviedo, FL | 39,990 | $114,092 | $428,500 | 43 |
| 5 | Miami Lakes, FL | 30,731 | $97,255 | $577,300 | 50 |
| 6 | Miami Shores, FL | 11,627 | $137,873 | $788,600 | 48 |
| 7 | Maitland, FL | 19,268 | $93,318 | $526,400 | 46 |
| 8 | Safety Harbor, FL | 17,040 | $105,813 | $433,300 | 33 |
| 9 | North Palm Beach, FL | 13,089 | $91,042 | $456,700 | 47 |
| 10 | Boca Raton, FL | 98,833 | $102,722 | $660,100 | 51 |