Three Collin County cities are receiving national recognition for the conditions that nurture childhood well‑being. In ProCare Therapy’s 2026 Childhood Well‑being Index, Frisco placed first, Plano second and McKinney fourth among the 100 largest U.S. cities evaluated.
How the index measures child‑friendly communities
The study examined five key indicators tied to children’s health, learning and everyday environment: child poverty, chronic school absenteeism, third‑grade reading proficiency, lead‑exposure risk and access to public parks. Irvine, California, was the only city outside North Texas to break into the top four, ranking third.
Frisco leads the nation
Frisco earned an overall score of 89.8, narrowly edging Plano’s 89.6. The city’s strongest showing came in education—89.4% of third‑graders were proficient in reading, the highest percentage among all cities in the study. Frisco also reported a low child poverty rate of 3.9% and a chronic absenteeism rate of 5.6%, while ranking in the lowest category for lead‑exposure risk.
Park access offers room for growth: 57.5% of Frisco residents live within a ten‑minute walk of a public park. Nonetheless, Collin County provides numerous family‑focused recreational spaces, and Frisco, Plano and McKinney each feature parks designed with younger children in mind.
Plano and McKinney close behind
Plano secured the No. 2 spot, just two‑tenths of a point behind Frisco. McKinney’s score of 82.6 placed it fourth, giving Collin County three of the four highest‑ranked cities in the nation.
Both cities have previously earned national accolades. In 2025, McKinney was named the nation’s most affordable city by Motley Fool Money, while Plano ranked sixth in the same affordability study.
What the rankings mean for families
ProCare Therapy’s index focuses specifically on measurable community conditions rather than broader factors such as housing costs, childcare availability, school choice, crime rates, healthcare access or overall family income. This narrow focus provides a clear snapshot of how major U.S. cities compare on factors directly linked to children’s health, learning and outdoor recreation.
For parents in Collin County, the rankings reinforce the region’s commitment to fostering safe, healthy environments for children. Strong reading proficiency, low poverty and absenteeism rates, and a proactive approach to lead‑exposure risk all point to a community where families can thrive.
Looking ahead
While the index highlights impressive achievements, local leaders acknowledge the need for continued improvement—particularly in expanding park access so more families can enjoy nearby green space. Ongoing investments in parks, schools and public health initiatives will be essential to maintaining and building on these top‑tier rankings.
Collin County’s three cities have set a high bar for child‑friendly communities, offering a model that other municipalities may look to emulate as they strive to create environments where children can grow, learn and play safely.
Original reporting: Local Profile (DFW) — read the source article.
