Crestwood Named Best Missouri City for Families

Crestwood is the best place in Missouri to raise children, according to Bloomberg Businessweek Magazine. 

"The culture, music, and jobs of St. Louis—not to mention the World Series-winning Cardinals–may be only 13 miles away, but the suburban community of Crestwood, as the town website points out, offers lower tax rates and better municipal services," the magazine said on its website. "It is part of the Lindbergh School district, which was the state’s first to offer the International Baccalaureate program."

The magazine said for their 6th annual rankings, they evaluated 4,169 paces with strict conditions: a crime index less than 10 percent above national averages, populations between 1,000 and 50,000 people and median family income within 20 percent of the state median. Each city received a score based on important factors for parents, especially school performance, expenditures and income. 

"It’s certainly an accomplishment for the school district and the residents of Crestwood," said Crestwood Mayor Jeff Schlink, "I can’t take credit for it whether I’m a mayor or an alderman—it’s a testament to what the community feels is important—police and fire, public works, they do a fantastic job. Obviously the people feel that they are getting their money’s worth and we want to continue to manage the city like a business. It’s something we are very proud of and want to share with the Lindbergh School District and the residents of Crestwood."

Crestwood has a population of 11,194 people and a median family income of $70,668, according to the magazine. The average school math score is 83.79, nearly 30 points above the state average, and the reading score is 76.91, 25 points higher than the state average.

Crestwood's residential property tax rates are among the lowest in the area, while the community's municipal services are considered among the best in St. Louis County, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Each state had its own winner, but nationwide, the place named best for families was Blacksburg, Va.

Updated at 4:48 p.m. with a quote from Crestwood Mayor Jeff Schlink.