Fortune magazine has named Chantilly the third-best place for families to live out of 2,000 cities across the U.S.
This is the first time that Chantilly has appeared in the annual rankings, which began with 25 locations in 2022. The 2023 and 2024 rankings expanded to 50 communities — one from each state — with Alexandria representing Virginia last year.
Released on July 23, the 2024 list of “Best Places to Live for Families” was topped by another D.C.-area suburb — Silver Spring, Maryland — and favored “edge cities or exurbs” like Chantilly that are fast-growing but still more affordable than more urban centers, Fortune said.
“Chantilly is a serene escape just 24 miles west of the city and just seven miles from Dulles International Airport — convenient for family vacations,” the business magazine said in its ranking. “Along Route 50 you’ll find a number of eateries and bistros, and where it intersects with Route 28, there’s a ton of places to shop.”
Fortune singled out Chantilly for attractions like the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, and Pleasant Valley Golf Club. It also highlighted the “number of breweries in the area, from Ono Brewing Co. to Honor Brewing Co.”
For its methodology, Fortune’s wellness editors evaluated over 2,000 locations with at least 20,000 residents across the U.S. They reviewed nearly 200 data categories across five main themes: education, resources for aging adults, general wellness, financial health and livability.
The analysis focused on services that help families and aging adults, considering factors like wellness, safety, diversity, and the availability of quality nursing homes and mental health providers.
To ensure diversity and affordability, places with high home prices and low racial diversity were excluded. Data came from sources like Caring.com, CVS Health, Healthgrades, and federal agencies, including the CDC, FBI and the Census Bureau.
According to the data collected by Fortune, Chantilly scored 83 out of 100 on Sharecare’s Community Well-Being Index, a study that surveys millions of people across the country on their perceptions of well-being.
Additionally, Chantilly scored 67 out of 100 on the Financial Well-Being Index, which measures financial stability and security.
“The median household income in Chantilly is $155,741, and the city has a Sharecare financial index score, which looks at managing economic life to reduce stress and increase security, of 67 out of 100 — among the highest on this list,” the magazine said.
In its most recent newsletter, the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority highlighted that the magazine’s ranking aligns with other publications that have consistently listed Northern Virginia communities among the top places to live in the country.
With top schools in the nation and unparalleled quality of life, including an abundance of recreational activities, Northern Virginia localities regularly rank on lists for best places to live, an important consideration for companies looking to launch or expand in the region. Regional amenities include access to a multi-modal transportation network, three major airports, and close proximity to Washington, D.C. Whether one is seeking an urban, suburban, small-town or country atmosphere, Fairfax County and the region has a wide array of options for places to live.
Sully District Supervisor Kathy Smith, whose district includes Chantilly, celebrated the recognition during the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors’ meeting today (Tuesday).
“For those of us who live in Chantilly, we knew it was a great place to live,” she said.
“It is a major achievement, and a great thing for Chantilly and a great thing for Fairfax County,” Board Chairman Jeff McKay added.
