6 Top Places to Raise a Family in Missouri

The Show-Me State is a great place to raise a family. Whether you like the city or the country, Missouri has plenty of both. There are also a lot of small towns that combine charm and family-friendly fun. Low crime rates, good school ratings, and recreation opportunities are all hallmarks of a great place to raise a family. It helps if there is a strong community feel as well, which many of these towns have. Some are suburbs near larger cities while others are a bit more rural.

When considering the best places to raise a family, it’s important to look at crime statistics, school ratings, and recreation. Free or cheap activities are great for young families, especially public parks and playgrounds. Indoor museums and play centers are also great for the winter months, which can get cold and snowy in Missouri. Many families also look at housing costs, the cost of living, and job opportunities. Fortunately, Missouri is a great state for all of these factors.

Here are some of the top places to raise a family in Missouri.

1. St. Charles

If you picture yourself walking along cobblestone streets near the Missouri River, then St. Charles is the spot for you. The historic district of this small city has plenty of great boutique shops, restaurants, and photo opportunities. You can enjoy special events such as holiday celebrations, scavenger hunts, and more. There is also a strong showing of local artists in the area. The Katy Trail bike trail goes right alongside and is a great place to get some fresh air. You can ride from St. Charles to Clinton, Missouri, roughly 237 miles. It follows the historic railroad route and goes through many scenic small towns along the way.

Crime rates in St. Charles are a bit lower than the national average but still higher than some other nearby towns and neighborhoods. Still, the strong community feel and quaint downtown make it very family-friendly. This is one of the larger cities on our list and right across the Missouri River from nearby St. Louis. If you like proximity to urban areas but still want a small-town feel, this is one of the top places to raise a family in Missouri.

2. Kirkwood

There are a few special things about Kirkwood, a town in St. Louis County, that make it stand out for families looking to relocate. First, The Magic House, the children’s museum in the St. Louis area, is second to none. It’s been open since 1979 and focuses on hands-on exhibits and imagination-based play. Admission is only $6, which is a great value considering the high quality of the museum. You can also opt for a family pass if you plan to return often.

Second, the architecture in Kirkwood is something special. Two notable locations include the Kirkwood Amtrak station, which dates back to 1893, and the Frank Lloyd Wright-designed house in Ebsworth Park. Both are on the National Register of Historic Places.

The overall crime rate in Kirkwood was around 2 times lower than the national average. Thefts and burglaries are the most common type of crime but even these are quite low. If you want a safe place with plenty of fun activities geared toward kids and families, Kirkwood is a good place.

3. Town and Country

An affluent suburb of St. Louis, Town and Country boasts low crime rates, a small population of close-knit residents, and luxury homes. There are a lot of parks, an indoor playground with a children’s discovery center, and an indoor go-kart and laser tag arcade for older kids. The public schools in Town and Country are highly rated. There are several good private schools as well.

With all of these come higher housing costs, however. If you are a young family looking to start, quiet Town and Country may not be what you’re looking for or in your budget. There are some condos, townhomes, and smaller single-family homes available. However many of the housing options are on the larger or more expensive side compared to other towns and cities in Missouri. But it’s worth considering if you want great schools with a small-town feel still within commuting distance of a major city.

4. O’Fallon

Another suburb in the St. Louis area, O’Fallon has become a family-friendly town that is known for its great schools, recreation, and opportunities for families. There are around 450 acres of public parks, including a fantastic indoor aquatic center, rec complex, and ballfields. The top two high schools in the area, according to Great Schools, are Ft. Zumwalt West and Ft. Zumwalt North. Both were awarded College Success Awards in recent years.

O’Fallon has consistently been recognized as a great place to do business. This is great for parents who want professional opportunities in a town that works for their family. There are also plenty of restaurants, shops, and things to do in O’Fallon. Special events like Founder’s Day and the Winter Celebration of Lights bring the community together.

5. Blue Springs

Blue Springs, Missouri is one of the more affordable housing locations within the state, which is saying something since Missouri is known to have great values when it comes to housing in many areas. But Blue Springs stands out and is a good option for those wanting to start out with a young family. The city participates in a First Time Home Buyer program that helps those looking to buy a home for the first time make it happen.

You can visit the site of the historic grist mill that helped early settlers establish the town of Blue Springs, located in present-day Burrus Old Mill Park. The park now features a splash pad for kids, a skate park, multiple sports fields and courts, playgrounds, and picnic shelters. The Downtown Alive! initiative is also focused on revitalizing the historic downtown area of Blue Springs. Nearby Blue Springs Lake is great for outdoor recreation, including boating and fishing. Bluegill, largemouth bass, and channel catfish are all stocked in the reservoir. You can also camp in designated campgrounds with reservations.

6. Hannibal

The city of Hannibal may look familiar if you’ve read anything by Mark Twain. The author grew up in this small town and based the fictional town of St. Petersburg, which appears in his Tom Sawyer novel, on Hannibal. You can tour Twain’s boyhood home, the house that the character Becky Thatcher’s home was based on, and the infamous Mark Twain caves. The town really enjoys its history and is a great place to explore, especially if you love iconic American storytelling. In fact, it has even earned the nickname “America’s Hometown.” The annual “Tom Sawyer Days” celebration in July has been going on for more than 50 years and is a highlight of hometown Hannibal life that is family-friendly.

Hannibal is located right along the Mississippi River at the border of Missouri and Illinois. For outdoor lovers, this is perfect for fishing, boating, and viewing wildlife. Just make sure your kids don’t take a page out of Tom Sawyer’s book and try to float down the river!

Summary of Best Places to Raise a Family in Missouri

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