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Cities With the Most Family Growth in the U.S.

A header image for a blog about regional family household changes over time

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Family life is always changing—new milestones, new routines, and sometimes even new cities. Across the U.S., where families live isn’t just about finding a house; it’s about finding a community that feels like home. But as priorities shift and populations grow, the locations of America’s families change too.

To better understand these shifts, we analyzed Census data from 350 cities across the country, focusing on two key factors: the percentage of households with kids and the percentage of kids under five years old. Our study uncovers where families are settling, how those trends have changed over the past five years, and what it all means for America’s youngest residents.

From interactive maps to surprising regional highlights, we’ll take a closer look at where family life is flourishing—and evolving. Let’s dive in.

To begin, we wanted to take a holistic view of family households and get a snapshot of what they look like regionally. Some cities are thriving hubs for households with children, while others stand out for their high concentration of young kids or large families. To better understand these trends, we analyzed census data on the percentage of households with kids, the proportion of kids under 5, and average family sizes in 350 U.S. cities. Here’s what the data revealed at a national level:

  • Percent of households with kids in 2023: 29.7%
  • Percent of kids under 5 in 2023: 31.6%
  • Average family size in 2023: 3.2 people

Let’s take a closer look at each data point to find out which cities stand out the most in each category.

Cities With the Highest Percentage of Households With Kids

A U.S. map showing the cities with the highest percentage of households with kids

These cities have the largest share of households with children, significantly outpacing the national average:

  1. Santa Maria, CA: 50.4%
  2. Rialto, CA: 50.1%
  3. Moreno Valley, CA: 49.1%
  4. San Tan Valley, AZ: 47.0%
  5. Frisco, TX: 46.4%

Cities like Santa Maria, Rialto, and Moreno Valley reflect Southern California’s domination of the list, possibly due to the state’s growing Hispanic population, where family-oriented values are common. The census notes that Hispanic households often include more children per family than the national average, contributing to these higher percentages. San Tan Valley stands out as a rapidly growing suburb of Phoenix, with newer homes designed to attract young families. Arizona’s relatively affordable housing, compared to neighboring states like California, also plays a role in drawing families to the area. Frisco is located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and is known for its master-planned communities and well-rated schools, which make it a magnet for families with kids.

Cities With the Highest Percentage of Kids Under 5

A U.S. map showing the cities with the highest percentage of kids who are 5 and younger

These cities have the largest share of their population under the age of 5:

  1. Gresham, OR: 45.5%
  2. Tuscaloosa, AL: 44.3%
  3. Sunnyvale, CA: 44.2%
  4. Columbia, SC: 43.3%
  5. High Point, NC: 42.6%

Gresham, located just outside Portland, combines suburban affordability with urban access, making it a draw for younger families. Oregon’s state policies supporting childcare and family benefits likely add to its appeal for households with young children.

Given its location in the middle of Silicon Valley, Sunnyvale has a surprising presence of young children. The area’s higher-than-average median income likely makes it feasible to raise young kids, even in a more costly area. Tuscaloosa’s mix of affordability and access to above-average educational resources help its high concentration of kids under 5.

Cities like Columbia and High Point reflect a broader trend of families putting down roots in the Southeast, potentially driven by more affordable housing, growing economies, and warmer climates.

Cities With the Largest Average Family Sizes

Finally, these cities lead the nation with the largest average family sizes:

  1. Rialto, CA: 4.3
  2. Santa Maria, CA: 4.1
  3. Salinas, CA: 4.1
  4. Santa Ana, CA: 4.07
  5. Moreno Valley, CA: 4.07

California, once again, dominates this category as it’s home to all five of the cities with the largest average family sizes. Cultural norms can again explain this regional trend as cities like Rialto, Santa Ana, and Moreno Valley have larger populations of immigrants from Latin America and Asia, where multigenerational living and larger households are more common.

Several of these cities are located in California's Inland Empire, a region that has long been an affordable alternative to more expensive parts of Southern California, making it a good spot for larger families to settle down.

What Does This Tell Us About America’s Families in 2023?

This data highlights the diverse ways families are distributed across the U.S. While Southwestern cities demonstrate high concentrations of households with kids and larger family sizes, others spanning from Gresham and Tuscaloosa show a notable presence of young children. Each region reflects unique cultural and economic factors that influence where families choose to settle.

Next, we’ll explore how these trends have shifted over time by looking at cities that have experienced the most significant increases in the percentage of households with kids over the past five years.

While the percentage of households with children has decreased nationally by about 6% over the past five years, some cities are bucking the trend with significant increases. These shifts provide insight into where family-friendly living is on the rise.

To help visualize these changes, we’ve included an interactive map where you can explore how child household rates have shifted in cities across the country. Click on each region to dive deeper into how households with children have grown or declined over time.

Cities With the Largest Child Household Rate Increases in the Past 5 Years

  1. Rio Rancho, NM: 5-year change: 36.2%, 10-year change: -11.2%
  2. Riverview, FL: 5-year change: 29%, 10-year change: -9.2%
  3. Palm Bay, FL: 5-year change: 21.1%, 10-year change: -14.1%
  4. Sugar Land, TX: 5-year change: 20.8%, 10-year change: 5.6%
  5. Warren, MI: 5-year change: 19.6%, 10-year change: 0.9%

Rio Rancho leads the way with an impressive 36.2% increase, even though its 10-year trend shows a decline. This suggests a recent revitalization in family-oriented living, potentially driven by its proximity to Albuquerque and affordability. Florida’s Riverview and Palm Bay show that the Sunshine State continues to attract families, potentially thanks to warm weather, relatively low taxes, and affordable housing.

Meanwhile, Sugar Land benefits from its reputation as a master-planned suburb with excellent schools and amenities, and Warren stands out as an industrial city that is making a comeback with a growing family presence.

  1. Hampton, VA: 5-year change: 19.5%, 10-year change: 0.6%
  2. Goodyear, AZ: 5-year change: 19.2%, 10-year change: 0.5%
  3. Allentown, PA: 5-year change: 18.7%, 10-year change: 1.9%
  4. Augusta, GA: 5-year change: 17.8%, 10-year change: 8.3%
  5. New Orleans, LA: 5-year change: 17.7%, 10-year change: -11.5%

Hampton and Augusta highlight the family appeal of the Southeast, where affordable housing and expanding job opportunities attract growing families. In Arizona, Goodyear’s rapid population growth is tied to suburban sprawl and its family-friendly reputation near Phoenix.

Allentown reflects a broader trend of smaller cities in the Northeast revitalizing as more families seek alternatives to larger, more expensive metro areas. New Orleans, the largest city in the top 10, has also seen notable growth in family households over the past five years.

What Does This Tell Us About America’s Families?

These cities highlight the mix of suburban development, economic opportunities, and regional affordability driving growth in family households. Even areas with longer-term declines, like Rio Rancho and New Orleans, are experiencing short-term rebounds.

Next, we’ll explore cities that have seen the largest increases in the percentage of kids under five years old from 2018 to 2023, shedding light on where the youngest members of America’s families are growing up.

The percentage of kids under five years old has decreased nationally by about 5% over the past five years, but some parts of the country have experienced significant growth in this population.

Like with the child household rates earlier, we’ve included an interactive map where you can explore how the young children rate has shifted in cities across the country. Click on each region to take a closer look at the growth—or decline—of the under-five population over time.

Cities With the Largest Increases in Young Children in the Past 5 Years

  1. Highlands Ranch, CO: 5-year change: 57.9%, 10-year change: -5.6%
  2. Fort Lauderdale, FL: 5-year change: 44.1%, 10-year change: 17.9%
  3. Independence, MO: 5-year change: 35.7%, 10-year change: -1.8%
  4. Temecula, CA: 5-year change: 35%, 10-year change: 23.9%
  5. High Point, NC: 5-year change: 34.8%, 10-year change: 25.6%

Highlands Ranch shows remarkable growth, with nearly 58% more young children compared to five years ago. This planned community, just outside Denver, is known for its family-friendly amenities, which could explain the influx of young families. Fort Lauderdale continues Florida's trend of showing up in our analysis, with growth driven by job opportunities, sunny weather, and accessibility.

Independence, near Kansas City, and Temecula, in Southern California's wine country, both reflect suburban appeal with ample space and new housing developments. High Point stands out as it was also among the top cities with the most kids under five in 2023, showing sustained growth over time.

  1. Gresham, OR: 5-year change: 30.4%, 10-year change: 59.3%
  2. Vallejo, CA: 5-year change: 30.2%, 10-year change: 18.5%
  3. Denton, TX: 5-year change: 28.5%, 10-year change: 40.3%
  4. Scottsdale, AZ: 5-year change: 27.5%, 10-year change: 16.1%
  5. Worcester, MA: 5-year change: 26.1%, 10-year change: -6.5%

Gresham continues to make waves, building on its staggering 59.3% 10-year growth rate with a 30.4% increase over the past five years, likely thanks to its suburban proximity to a large metro area and family-focused policies. Vallejo combines affordability with access to the Bay Area, making it appealing for young families, while Denton, home to two universities, balances a youthful vibe with family-friendly living.

Scottsdale offers a unique mix of desert beauty and a high quality of life that draws families, and Worcester bucks the trend in New England, where young child populations have generally declined, making its recent growth noteworthy.

What Does This Tell Us About America’s Families?

These cities highlight where the youngest generation is flourishing. From Highlands Ranch’s family-focused suburbs to Gresham’s consistent growth, the data shows a mix of suburban development and regional appeal driving increases in young children in different parts of the country.

America’s families are constantly on the move, and our analysis highlights how their locations and dynamics shift over time. From cities experiencing a surge in households with children to areas seeing significant growth in their youngest populations, these trends reveal where family life is thriving—and evolving..

At Chicco, we understand that family life is all about adapting to change. Whether you’re welcoming a new addition or relocating to a city that better fits your family’s needs, we’re here to support every step of your journey. With products designed to make parenting easier, safer, and more joyful. Chicco helps families thrive no matter where they call home.

To track shifting family geography across the U.S., we analyzed household and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau to determine which U.S. cities have the highest percentage of households with children and which have the highest percentage of young children in 2023. We then analyzed those data points year-over-year to see where the largest increases and decreases have occurred since 2018 and 2013.

Our data compares households with kids as a percentage of total households in 350 of the largest U.S. cities.