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One Georgia city among nation’s 10 worst in which to raise a family

Financial website WalletHub analyzed 182 U.S. cities to determine the best and worst for families

Children are more prone to success , when living in the right environment.A healthy home life and strong family bonds could boost a child's chance at a healthy future, a new study finds.Experts say previous studies have found healthy family connections decrease the chances of poor future outcomes for children.But the most recent study on family connections finds family bonds could equate to positive future outcomes for children.What was different about this study was it showed that family connection is associated with thriving and not just surviving or avoiding harm. , Dr. Robert Whitaker, lead study author, via CNN.Researchers surveyed more than 37,000 children in 26 countries.The study, published in the journal Pediatrics, found those who reported a strong bond with their family were more likely to find success.The study found children with strong bonds to their families were more than 49% more likely to find success than those with little to no family connection.The children who received the highest marks in the study live in comfortable environments, usually with non-divorced parents.A good life entails having a sense of purpose and meaning, which is what the flourishing scale in this study measured. , Elaine Resse, professor of psychology University of Otago, via CNN.If children experience healthy trusting relationships early, they are more likely to establish healthy trusting relationships as adults. , Kelly-Ann Allen, devolepmental psychologist Monash University, via CNN
By
June 1, 2022

“The child’s neighborhood and more broadly the town or city in which they are being raised do impact child development,” according to Madhavi Menon, Ph.D., professor of psychologyat Nova Southeastern University. “The role of the environmental context has long been recognized across many domains of psychology as being of particular significance to child development.”

With that in mind, WalletHub analyzed 182 U.S. cities — including the 150 most populated U.S. cities, plus at least two of the most populated cities in each state — across five key dimensions: family fun, health and safety, education and child care, affordability, and socio-economics.

ExploreGeorgia back in bottom 10 of best states to raise a family

The financial website then evaluated those categories using 46 relevant metrics, each of which was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for family life.

Considering a January analysis by WalletHub ranked Georgia in the bottom 10 for best and worst states to raise a family, it should come as little to no surprise that three of the state’s cities fared poorly.

Atlanta, which was Georgia’s highest ranked city, came in at No. 85, with a score of 51.90. In each dimension, the city finished:

  • Family fun: 24th
  • Health and safety: 140th
  • Education and child care: 103rd
  • Affordability: 41st
  • Socio-economics: 160th

ExploreAnalysis puts Atlanta among 2022′s top cities for jobs

That’s the good news for the state. The second best Georgia city is much farther down on the list: Columbus at No. 141. The city’s overall score was 46.29, and in each dimension ranked:

  • Family fun: 98th
  • Health and safety: 152nd
  • Education and child care: 79th
  • Affordability: 136th
  • Socio-economics: 129th

Georgia’s third city on the list finished as the 10th worst in the nation for families. Augusta finished at No. 173, with an overall score of just 40.53. In each dimension, it ranked:

  • Family fun: 133rd
  • Health and safety: 161st
  • Education and child care: 136th
  • Affordability: 151st
  • Socio-economics: 157th

If you’re looking to move and want to live in the highest ranked city, head west: Fremont, California, came out on top with an overall score of 73.05. The city was also No. 1 in health and safety, and in socioeconomics.

“Data suggest that where you live makes a tremendous difference in children’s well-being and long-term social and economic mobility,” Lenna Nepomnyaschy, associate professor in the School of Social Work at Rutgers, told WalletHub. “Data collected by the team at Opportunity Insights by Raj Chetty and colleagues shows the tremendous gaps in well-being and economic mobility across neighborhoods in the US.

“Particularly, this report shows that neighborhoods matter for child well-being,” she added.

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About the Author

Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.

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