There are so many important factors when it comes to raising a family. Cost of living, schools, extracurriculars, areas to live, and finding a happy place to call home are just a few things that come to mind. For Black families, this list of needs is essential, but there are also other factors for us to think about when choosing a place to live. Safety is another top issue for Black families in the United States because historically, the Black community has not been safe, especially in certain cities and states.

There are many cities across the U.S. that Black families are researching and moving to. Having a place to call home is nice, but there are so many things to consider before moving your family to a new location. Here are the best places for Black families to thrive socially and economically in the U.S.

Charlotte, North Carolina

• Population: 897,720
• Public School Rating: B+
• Average Home Price: $420,000
• Walkability: Moderate. Neighborhoods like South End and Uptown Charlotte are more walkable than others.

According to The Charlotte Observer, people are referring to the city as the “Black Mecca” because it’s such a great place for both single Black people and Black families. With cool holiday pop-up bars, fun activities like white water rafting and ice skating, and diverse exercise clubs like the Mad Miles Run Club, Black residents of Charlotte love the options that the city gives them. Charlotte is also home to incredible companies like Bank of America and Wells Fargo and is great for football and basketball fans with the Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets.

For Black Families: Charlotte is a great city to raise Black families and the Black population has significantly grown. Black residents make up 35.2 percent of Charlotte’s population and that number continues to grow with over 307,000 residents.

For Young Professionals: Charlotte is a great up-and-coming city for young Black professionals. The city is great for young people working in business, finance and sports. Nightlife in Charlotte attracts young people, with many bars, clubs, breweries, concerts and other things to do.

Raleigh, North Carolina

• Population: 476,587
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $480,000
• Walkability: Moderate

Part of North Carolina’s triangle is Raleigh. With a low poverty rate of 12% and a median household income of $73,000, this city is showing significant growth and wealth opportunities for Black families. Raleigh’s Black homeownership rate sits at 43.1 percent, and there are also a lot of amenities like restaurants, bars, and activities. For families planning out college details for their kids, Raleigh is home to excellent schools like Duke University, North Carolina State University, and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.

For Black Families: Raleigh’s Black population continues to grow, with over 135,000 Black residents making up over 28 percent of the people. There has also been a 3.9 percent jump in Black homeownership from 2019 to 2021, so Black families are actively choosing Raleigh to call home.

For Young Professionals: Along with having a long list of incredible colleges, Raleigh is also a great city for young professionals. Known as a tech hub, the city is great for tech jobs, gaming jobs, life sciences, and manufacturing.

Atlanta, Georgia

• Population: 499,127
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $418,000
• Walkability: Low to Moderate

Another great city for wealth building is Atlanta, Georgia. There has been a 4.6 percent climb in Black homeownership over the past few years, and Atlanta is known for having great restaurants, cool bars, museums, and lots of kid and adult-friendly activities. The city also has a rich college culture, with multiple top HBCUs and schools like Emory and Georgia Tech.

For Black Families: With a large percentage of over 48 percent of Black residents, Atlanta is a diverse city and great for Black families. With many Black professionals, some of Atlanta’s neighborhoods are the wealthiest Black neighborhoods in America.

For Young Professionals: For young professionals, Atlanta is a city of opportunity. From working in entertainment to luxury retail to beauty services like hair and makeup artists, the city has something for everyone.

Virginia Beach, Virginia

• Population: 455,618
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $384,000
• Walkability: Low

Virginia Beach is a top contender in where Black families live because many thrive economically. Black people are closing the wealth gap in Virginia Beach, with a median household income of $65,600. Virginia Beach is home to many Black-owned businesses, and activities like the beach, Busch Gardens, ziplining, arcades, and more are great for families in the area.

For Black Families: Black families do well in Virginia Beach, both economically and socially. There are 19 percent of Black people in Virginia Beach, meaning there are a lot of Black-owned restaurants and stores to explore and choose from in the area.

For Young Professionals: Virginia Beach is an excellent area for young professionals looking to live in a city by the beach. With activities like Topgolf, nightclubs, ziplining, and a great restaurant scene, Virginia Beach has plenty to offer for the young professional.

Columbia, Maryland

• Population: 104,681
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $473,348
• Walkability: Moderate

Columbia, Maryland is one of the best places for Black families to live in because of its environmental equity. There’s tons of public green space for Black families to enjoy, something that isn’t found as often in other parts of the country. Columbia is also ranked high in education, with Maryland being the number 12 state in the country for state education and over 30 universities surrounding the city. 13. percent of Black residents also hold a bachelor’s degree in this city, showing that residents value education as a top priority.

For Black Families: With a higher Black population than many places, Columbia, Maryland is a great place to raise a Black family, especially with education being a high priority.

For Young Professionals: For young people who like to stay active, Columbia has many lakes, parks, and trails to choose from. There are also a ton of food markets and shopping plazas to explore.

Los Angeles, California

• Population: 3.9 million
• Public School Rating: A
• Average Home Price: $1.2 million
• Walkability: Moderate to High

In terms of health equity and safety, Los Angeles ranks as a top place for Black families to live. Maternal mortality rates are significantly lower than other states coming at 9.7 percent according to the CDC. There are over 151,000 laws set in place for California residents that support their health and wellness. Los Angeles County is also home to the third largest Black population in the U.S., with over 936,000 Black residents.

For Black Families: Because L.A. has the largest Black population in the U.S., it’s an excellent city for Black families who value diversity. There are so many Black neighborhoods in Los Angeles to live in, and because the city values access to healthcare, it’s a viable city for Black residents.

For Young Professionals: For young people, this city is your oyster. One of the perks of living in a city as big as L.A. is that there are so many activities around you every single day. Enjoy a hike to the Hollywood sign, grab a coffee or smoothie from your favorite celebrity’s drink spot, and enjoy the nightlife and thousands of restaurants the city has to offer.

New York City

• Population: 8.4 million
• Public School Rating: B
• Average Home Price: $799,000
• Walkability: Very High

Known for its diversity, New York City is a great place for Black families. With so many activities to do, it may be overwhelming to know where to start in New York, but families have their pick at enjoying museums, lots of events, and tons of restaurants, cafès and bars to choose from. NYC is also home to incredible schools like New York University, Parsons School of Design, FIT, Columbia University, and more. Brooklyn is home to the second-largest population of Black people. New York is ranked high in safety and affordable housing, access to healthcare, and education, making it a top city for Black families.

For Black Families: While New York isn’t the most traditional city to raise a family in, the access to amenities, public and private schools, incredible universities, and its diversity are drawing factors for raising a family in the city. It is more expensive than other cities, especially cities in the south, but the experience that families get makes it worthwhile.

For Young Professionals: New York City is one of the best cities for job opportunities for young professionals. There are so many fields and industries to choose from, like fashion, entertainment, beauty, journalism, marketing, finance, etc. The cost of living is higher in the city, but the pay for most industries is also higher than in other cities. Young professionals have more than enough to choose from when finding activities in the city. Art museums, nightclubs, exploring restaurants in different parts of the city and community events are just a few of the many things to take advantage of.