PORTLAND, Ore. -- The provincial town of Sherwood has been named one of the most family-friendly communities in the United States, according to Family Circle magazine.

City of Sherwood

Oregon Trail Park in Sherwood, Ore.

Sherwood, just outside metro Portland, joined other communities outside Augusta, Ga., Austin, Tex., Charlotte, NC and Minneapolis, Minn. in the list.

All communities named in the Family Circle 10 Best Towns were judged on their affordable housing, neighborhood friendliness, parks access and public schooling. They also had to have an average household income of at least $75,000.

Sherwood City Manager Jim Patterson said his town was honored at the distinction and that his community’s schools and government, faithful and charitable, and businesses combine to make Sherwood ideal.

"It takes an entire community of people … to create a great place to live and raise a family, and Sherwood, Ore. has all that," Patterson said.

Each community is described by the magazine as “the perfect place to call home.”

The magazine further described each town rosily.

“Each of the towns honored is made up of forward thinking leaders, parents, teachers and students who are passionate about their hometown … and involved in advancing their local school systems,” according to Family Circle spokesperson Jim Patterson.

All the communities also do a good job of providing health care to the uninsured and of providing dual-language classrooms, Patterson said.

Kenmore, Wash., outside of metro Seattle, was the only other West Coast community in the Top 10.

The survey was conducted by a New York City real estate marketing firm that looked at 1,700 U.S. cities with populations between 15,000 and 150,000.

Family Circle magazine is owned by Meredith Corp. The Top 10 article will be available in an issue hitting newstands on July 7.