For the second year in a row, Benicia was ranked as the best city in Solano County for young families in a study of the best cities in Northern California to raise a family.

The study was done by personal finance website NerdWallet.com, which looked at factors such as home prices, crime risk, education and income growth in 202 cities, towns and census-designated places with at least 10,000 residents.
“Not every place got top marks in all the categories we looked at, and housing affordability is an issue in some places,” NerdWallet writers Kamran Rosen and Anna Helhoski said.

Benicia ranked at No. 17 on the list, a slight drop from its No. 12 rank in 2014. Nonetheless, it ranked higher than every other city in Solano County with a rating of 63.08. The city received a crime risk rating of “Most safe,” a 73.09 school rating, a median home value of $424,000, a median family income of $113,235 and a 45 percent income growth.

The list solidifies Benicia’s reputation as a family-friendly town. With its four elementary schools, family-oriented events throughout the year, child-centered businesses along First Street, swimming pool and plethora of parks and playgrounds, Benicia has a lot of amenities and activities for children.

El Dorado Hills received the highest ranking on the list, with Folsom placing right behind. Three communities from the Bay Area- San Ramon, Dublin and Clayton- were represented in the top 10 with the remainder being suburbs of Sacramento or Fresno.

For the full ranking, visit the list at NerdWallet.com.

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