When you dream about your family’s future, what do you see? You probably imagine good schools, access to nature, entertainment, and a strong economy fueled by healthy neighbors. Fremont, California, just won top marks as the nation’s best city for families, and it has all those things and more.
Fremont, California: America’s Best Family City
According to Wallet Hub’s judgment of 180 cities across the U.S., Fremont, California is the best place to raise a family. Posted in May 2024, the summary article explained that the project used 45 metrics to evaluate each city’s suitability for families, including everything from entertainment options to the performance and number of local healthcare institutions.
Fremont sits on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay, south of Oakland and just north of San Jose. This isn’t the first time it’s won this award, and Wallet Hub ranked it as the happiest city in the country in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Employment, Income, and Cost of Living
The average cost of living is $3186, and the median salary is $5699 after tax, according to LivingCost.org. Provided they don’t fall far below the median, this affords potential residents wiggle room, opportunity for savings, and the chance to invest. As part of Silicon Valley, Fremont hosts many small businesses (over 3600), plenty of manufacturing jobs, and a fertile environment to launch new startups.
Community Health
The region has multiple health systems, with several hospital facilities operating within the Fremont city limits. The City of Fremont Human Services Department also offers a fleet of mental health care programs for everyone from children to seniors.
Schools and Education
Fremont has several schools, including California School for the Blind and California School for the Deaf, in addition to Fremont United School District, which serves most of the city’s population. The district runs 29 elementary schools, 24 middle schools, and 9 high schools with 33,873 students. The student-teacher ratio is 23:1, and the district keeps roughly 20 full-time counselors. The top five high schools had a graduation rate of 93-97%, and Mission San Jose High School is rated as the 11th best in California.
Adult education options feature Fremont Adult School, Fremont Beauty College, Ohlone College, San Francisco Bay University, and Unitek College. Nearby, students have options like Santa Clara University and Stanford University.
Lifestyle and Activities
Fremont has plenty to keep families busy and engaged. There are over 500 restaurants in town and plenty more to explore nearby. Shinn Historical Park, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum, and the Olive Hyde Art Gallery keep minds engaged while golf courses, farmers markets, and a thriving performance art scene offer adults a chance to live their best lives.
Outdoor adventures abound in Fremont. Regional parks and preserves ring the city, including Coyote Hills Regional Park, Mission Peak Regional Preserve, and Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park. Smaller parks and sports fields dot the city. Fremont is a very bikeable with paved trails and bike lanes in many locations. While there are many safe places to ride throughout the city, cyclists should always be cautious as there were 53 cycling accidents in 2023. This goes without mentioning the Bay, which offers watersports, boating, and fishing opportunities.
In addition to Fremont’s attractions, residents can take advantage of major cities within easy driving distance, including San Francisco and San Jose. These destinations offer museums like the California Academy of Sciences, the Asian Art Museum, and the Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose, to name a few. Historic attractions range from the Winchester Mystery House to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz. The area bursts with boardwalks, amusement parks, and waterparks to add some thrill to residents’ family fun.
