Area cities make list of best towns to raise a family in Tennessee

People gather at the Tennessee Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Dayton, Tenn. The annual festival, held in historic downtown Dayton around the Rhea County Courthouse, brought crowds to browse the wares of craft vendors and food trucks.
People gather at the Tennessee Strawberry Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2015, in Dayton, Tenn. The annual festival, held in historic downtown Dayton around the Rhea County Courthouse, brought crowds to browse the wares of craft vendors and food trucks.

One of the largest content start-ups in the country, Niche, has named several local towns to its list of best towns to raise a family in Tennessee.

The website is geared toward helping people to know what areas are attracting young families and offer good schools and safe communities. It ranked towns of less than 100,000 residents based on age demographics, school ratings, crime rates and access to affordable housing, child care, libraries and grocery stores.

photo Cleveland with such events as its Apple Festival, pictured here, was on the list of "Best Towns to Raise a Family in Tennessee."

Cleveland was ranked No. 34 out of 53 on the list.

Bradley County Commissioner Milan Blake said he is not surprised by Cleveland's ranking, as he and his family have enjoyed raising children in the city.

"I think Cleveland is a great place because it offers the small-town feel -- and all the good things there -- and we are also close enough to the big cities," he said.

Blake lived in Atlanta before moving to Cleveland and said he is glad he can raise his two young children in Cleveland. He said he feels like it is safe for his children to ride their bikes down the street to get a slushie from the local Sonic restaurant, and that the whole family enjoys spending time on the Greenway.

Blake also praised the level of education that his children are receiving in the city's schools.

Cleveland City Schools Superintendent Martin Ringstaff said the ranking is a great accomplishment for the city, but especially for the educational system.

Ringstaff said his schools are able to hire some of the best teachers in the state, which makes for success in the classroom. He also praised the support of the school board and city council, calling it a "unique situation."

"I'm impressed with the city in general, and within the school system I think we are really doing something special," the superintendent said.

Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6592.

Best Towns in Tennessee rankings

Ten towns in our area have been named to niche. com's list of "Best Towns to Raise a Family in Tennessee." Niche ranked the towns based on age demographics, school ratings, crime rates and access to affordable housing, child care, libraries and grocery stores. Suburbs and cities with more than 100,000 residents were excluded. * 10. Athens * 11. Dayton * 14. Tullahoma * 28. Winchester * 31. Manchester * 33. Kingston * 34. Cleveland * 37. Rockwood * 43. Sweetwater * 47. Harriman Source: Niche

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