New Hampshire consistently ranks at the top of lists of best states to raise a family — and for good reason. With fantastic schools, tight-knit communities, and plenty of access to nature, there's a lot to love about life in the Granite State.

Recently, Niche released their 2017 list of the best places to raise a family in Rhode Island. Niche is a website that focuses on helping people decide where to live, work, and go to school. To determine the best places in New Hampshire to raise a family, they looked at factors like public schools, crime rates, cost of living, family-friendly amenities, and more. To see the full article and rating methodology, click here.

See if your assumptions match their data!

1. Bedford

This lovely Manchester suburb has a population of around 21,000, and has easy access to all the job and cultural opportunities of the Granite State's largest city. It also has great schools and a neighborhood feel that you won't find in the city itself.

2. Amherst

Amherst has plenty of the gorgeous colonial architecture that sets New England apart, and with around 11,000 residents, it's in the perfect middle ground between too big and too small. With excellent schools, the town has beauty and brains.

3. Hollis

With a strawberry festival, an apple festival, and "Old Home Days," Hollis is the perfect place to raise your child if you want that small-town America feel. It seems everyone in this town of 7,000 knows each other, and neighbors can always be counted on for a helping hand.

4. Hanover

As the home of Dartmouth College, Hanover is home to a very well-educated group of people, and has fantastic schools. It's also beautiful, with frontage on the Connecticut River and mountains in the distance. The population of around 11,000 is just right.

5. Mont Vernon

With approximately 2,000 residents, Mont Vernon is tiny, but it's charm is immense. With annual town festivals and plenty of sports leagues, it's an extremely community-minded town. Children in Mont Vernon go to the town's elementary school and then go to neighboring Amherst for high school.

6. Greenland

This town of about 3,500 borders both Winnicut River and Great Bay, so it's the perfect spot for water-loving families. It has easy access to Portsmouth and all of the Seacoast while maintaining that cozy feel so many of us crave.

7. Lee

Close to UNH, Lee is a rural town with a population of about 4,300. Lots of professors live here, so it's a well-educated town!

8. Hopkinton

According to 2014, 2015, and 2016 rankings by US News and World Report, Hopkinton has the very best schools in the state. With a population of around 5,500, your kids will get to know their classmates very well.

9. Madbury

With less than 2,000 citizens, Madbury is tiny — but it has great schools (shared with Durham and Lee) and charming town traditions that your whole family will love.

10. Stratham

This town of about 7,300 is home to the headquarters of Timberland Corporation, as well as a Lindt chocolate factory. Students in the town attend Stratham elementary and middle schools, as well as the excellent Exeter High School.

Do you agree with this list? If not, what did they get wrong?

Trying hard to find family-friendly activities in New Hampshire? Check out this list of the best playgrounds in the state.