Williamson County is the best county in Tennessee to raise a family for the second consecutive year, according to Niche's 2026 rankings.

The county also placed 20th nationally out of more than 3,100 counties evaluated, as first reported by The Tennessean. Niche gave Williamson County an A+ in public schools, jobs, family life, and health and fitness.

The ranking draws on data from the U.S. Census, Bureau of Labor Statistics, CDC and Niche user surveys. Public school quality carried the most weight at 20% of the overall grade. Other factors included cost of living, housing, diversity, outdoor activities and the share of households with children.

The median home value in Williamson County is $751,900. Median household income is $135,594, the second highest among top-ranked Southern counties behind Forsyth County, Georgia, at $143,784. Only 21% of residents rent, paying a median $1,969 per month.

The county's school system backs up the A+ grade. All 11 Williamson County Schools high schools ranked in the top 70 of 496 Tennessee schools on the U.S. News and World Report's Best High Schools list, released Aug. 18. Franklin High placed 10th in the state. Brentwood High ranked sixth and Ravenwood High seventh.

The WCS Class of 2025 posted a state-best ACT composite of 25.3, according to the district's report card. The state average was 19.3. Of WCS graduates, 79% met the minimum score for the Tennessee HOPE Scholarship, the highest rate of any district statewide.

WCS Interim Superintendent Leigh Webb spoke about the link between schools and community appeal at Williamson Inc.'s State of the Schools event Sept. 17 in Franklin.

"In the heart of every thriving community is a successful public school system," Webb said at the event, as reported by the Williamson Herald.

WCS students also set a district record for National Merit Semifinalists in 2026, with 95 students earning the designation. The previous record was 85, set in 2024.

Rutherford County ranked second in Tennessee on the Niche list, followed by Knox County, Montgomery County and Hamilton County.