Butler County’s patchwork of rural farms, small towns and busy, developing municipalities creates an unique environment where nearly anyone can find a homey place to raise a family, no matter what their ideal lifestyle.

According to a recent report by Niche.com, 15 Butler County municipalities were among the top 500 places to raise a family in Pennsylvania.

The Pittsburgh-based company, which describes itself as a source to connect people with their future schools, neighborhoods and workplaces, creates lists of “best places to live” based on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other resources.

Its “best places to raise a family” list references data on public schools, crime rates, cost of living and family-friendly amenities. This particular list by Niche included 3,396 total places across Pennsylvania.

The first Butler County-based municipality on Niche’s 2021 “best places to raise a family” list was Seven Fields, which was among the top 75 places. In the top 100, Niche included Jackson Township and Gibsonia.

Other places from the county highlighted in the top 500 were Cranberry Township, Adams Township, Zelienople, Middlesex Township, Harmony, Buffalo Township, Prospect, Evans City, Forward Township, Mars, Saxonburg and Summit Township.

The data doesn’t lie, but it doesn’t tell the full story either. The municipalities included on the list are all great places to raise your family. However, it’s important to recognize that one person’s ideal home is not always another’s perfect place for a family.

Some families want to be surrounded by family-friendly amenities. Others find small towns and rural spaces more ideal to raise their children.

Perhaps what makes Butler County especially great for families is its variety. It’s possible to live in an environment most suitable for your family, while experiencing other places, too.

For those who choose to live in a more rural space, Butler County’s geography allows them to still take advantage of different amenities only a short drive away. Whether it be accessing big city amenities of Pittsburgh or benefits of adjacent municipalities, rural Butler County residents have an array of options.

And, likewise, those living in a more developed space can enjoy open, outdoor spaces just a short distance away.

—TAL