Fortune Magazine Names Silver Spring Best Place to Live for Families in 2024

Fortune Magazine has ranked Silver Spring #1 in this year’s Best Places to Live for Families list, with factors like healthcare, education, affordability, and resources for seniors topping the charts.

According to the magazine, “Silver Spring stands out among its neighboring suburbs for its Arts & Entertainment District, home to 100-plus arts and humanities organizations, entertainment venues, and the like. Residents can watch an independent film at the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center or see an artist perform live at the Fillmore, an iconic music venue [franchise] that’s hosted everyone from Aretha Franklin to Janis Joplin. Colorful murals and vibrant community centers help bring the area to life.”

Fortune also mentioned Silver Spring’s diverse population, abundance of dining options, proximity to Sligo Creek Park and Rock Creek Trail, and the seasonal outdoor ice skating rink. It also noted that Silver Spring has the highest Community Well-Being Index score from Sharecare, which analyzes over 600 health risk factors in communities across the U.S., on the list at 85 out of 100.

Previously, Silver Spring ranked #3 in last year’s Best Places to Live for Families list.

“Fortune Magazine’s extensive methodology, supported by several critical data partners, highlights what Silver Spring families enjoy: excellent educational opportunities, safe neighborhoods, and abundant recreational facilities,” Silver Spring Regional Service Center director Jacob Newman said via email. “Our bustling local businesses, diverse cultural events, and strong community spirit make Silver Spring the ultimate family-friendly destination.”

Silver Spring was also featured on NBC’s Today Show on Tuesday morning.

“The good news keeps coming as Silver Spring was also featured on THE TODAY SHOW, bringing national attention to our outstanding community,” Newman said. “This recognition underscores the strength of our vibrant, diverse community and the exceptional quality of life we offer.”

In selecting the Best Places to Live for Families, Fortune evaluated over 2,000 cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages, and townships, each with approximately 20,000 residents or more, across all 50 states in the U.S. To help thoroughly analyze each place, Fortune reviewed nearly 200 data categories across five main themes: education, resources for aging adults, general wellness, financial health, and livability.

To prioritize cities and towns for the top rankings, Fortune excluded locations where home sale prices were more than twice the state median or more than 2.75 times the national median.

“Fortune wanted to ensure that the list included diverse neighborhoods,” the magazine said. “To achieve this, the staff compared the racial breakdown of each place against state benchmarks and eliminated any location that was 75% less diverse than the state median. Fortune also considered socioeconomic, religious, and ethnic diversity in its data collection process.”

In a statement issued Tuesday, County Executive Marc Elrich said that Silver Spring’s amenities make it a great place to live, including the Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center, the Jazz and Blues Festivals, numerous international festivals, robust public transportation, and the area’s diversity:

Fortune, Inc. has named Silver Spring the No. 1 ‘Best Place to live for families’ in the United States. This impressive accolade reflects what many of us already know–we are committed to fostering a community that supports families in every way possible.

Silver Spring’s top ranking as a family-friendly home speaks volumes about the quality of life we offer. The ranking is based on the best place ‘where multigenerational families are most likely to have access to great schools, highly recommended hospitals, affordable housing, resources for older adults and a strong sense of community.’ We have excellent educational opportunities, safe neighborhoods and abundant recreational facilities, including our new Silver Spring Recreation and Aquatic Center. Additionally, the County’s outstanding public schools, well-maintained parks and community centers create a nurturing environment where children and their families can thrive academically, socially and physically. 

For businesses, Silver Spring’s recognition as the best place to raise a family is a powerful testament to the area’s vitality and potential. Companies looking to relocate or expand will find a community that values education, safety and quality of life—key factors that attract top talent. The diverse population offers a broad customer base and a workforce with a wide range of skills and perspectives, driving innovation and growth. Our community’s focus on inclusivity and support for families creates a stable and welcoming environment where businesses can prosper.

Our area is strategically located near Washington, D.C., and boasts a robust public transportation system, including Metro and the Countywide Ride On bus services, which makes commuting and exploring the area convenient and accessible. Montgomery County’s dedication to sustainability and green initiatives further enhances the quality of life for residents, ensuring a healthy and vibrant future for our children.

Over the last several years, Silver Spring has also been recognized as one of the top five most diverse jurisdictions in the nation by WalletHub; they use their process to ‘identify the places where people have the most unique blend of perspectives, which brings social and economic benefits.’ Additionally, annual highlights like the Silver Spring Jazz Festival and the Silver Spring Blues Festival consistently draw internationally known acts and visitors from our entire region. Silver Spring is proud to host the D.C. region’s largest Thanksgiving holiday parade as well as numerous international festivals and ongoing events at the American Film Institute. This cultural richness fosters a sense of understanding and respect among residents. In Silver Spring, children grow up learning to appreciate and celebrate differences, preparing them to become global citizens in an increasingly interconnected world. The area also has numerous diverse restaurants offering cuisines from around the world.

Fortune, Inc.’s designation of Silver Spring as the No. 1 ‘Best Place to live for families’ is a testament to the collective efforts of our residents, schools and local government. It highlights Silver Spring’s commitment to creating a supportive, inclusive and thriving community. We are ready and excited to welcome more families and businesses to make Silver Spring an even greater place to live, work and grow.

Silver Spring has previously received recognition in various national rankings. In 2024, WalletHub named it one of the top five most ethnically diverse areas in the U.S., and it recently ranked third in GoFundMe’s list of the most generous cities in the U.S. for its support of individuals, causes, and organizations.

“This national recognition is a testament to the hardworking and dedicated individuals who choose to run their businesses, raise their families, and invest in Silver Spring,” said Stephanie Helsing, President and CEO of the Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce. “We celebrate Silver Spring today and every day, and will continue to serve our vibrant, diverse, and family-friendly community to make it the best it can be.”

Photo: © MQ-Illustrations – stock.adobe.com

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