| u love to live in the country and are looking for | | | | 5. Union County, South Dakota |
| the finest rural setting to settle down, what | | | | The merging of the Missouri River and the Big |
| better place to choose from than America's top | | | | Sioux River has rendered this County with not |
| ten rural places? The February issue of | | | | only a beautiful topography but also a rich fertile |
| Progressive Farmer features the top ten best | | | | soil. This rural County offers a few surprises too |
| places to live in rural America in 2007. These rural | | | | in terms of achievements. Union County is proud |
| counties have been chosen based on statistics | | | | of its excellent schools which has a Blue Ribbon |
| such as education, crime, health care etc. and as | | | | school amongst them. The County offers a |
| well as their picturesque settings. The ten rural | | | | favorable atmosphere for children and is a great |
| places that made it to the top list are: | | | | place to raise a family. |
| 1. Barren County, Kentucky | | | | 6. St. Lawrence County, New York |
| Rolling farmlands, friendly residents, a rich historical | | | | On the sixth place is St. Lawrence County which |
| background and thriving businesses attract | | | | boasts of a renowned music school, the Frederic |
| settlers to Barren County. The County rates high | | | | Remington Art Museum, traditional arts, etc. The |
| on education with the County schools having | | | | County also offers a plethora of recreational |
| some of the top scores in the State. The County | | | | activities that include hunting and fishing. Although |
| offers rich country living amidst a background of | | | | winters are severe, summers are beautiful and |
| strong farming heritage. | | | | highly enjoyable. |
| 2. Warren County, Pennsylvania | | | | 7. Sac County, Iowa |
| A flowing Allegheny River adds to the picturesque | | | | Rolling hills, fields of golden corn and soybean, |
| beauty of the County as do its famed hills that | | | | friendly residents... Sac County has a lot to offer |
| give character to the milieu in each season. The | | | | for the rural lover. A warm community feeling |
| breathtaking beauty of the seasons – | | | | abides among the residents who enjoy fun |
| whether it is the brightest green in spring or the | | | | activities and events such as the Farmall |
| intense reds and yellows of fall – makes | | | | Promenade. |
| Warren County a perfect place for every season. | | | | 8. Garfield County, Okalahoma |
| Nature's bounties include mild summers and | | | | Home to two medical centers and the Vance Air |
| winters, water spots that offer fishing and | | | | Force Base, Garfield County is a through and |
| camping and the Allegheny National Forest with | | | | through agricultural land. Horse pastures and |
| copious attractions such as skiing and | | | | wheat fields adorn the countryside. The residents |
| snowmobiling. The County also has excellent | | | | mostly live on acreages and are known for their |
| schools. | | | | honesty and hard work. The place has a rich |
| 3. Randolph County, Illinois | | | | history. |
| The country living here is characterized by | | | | 9. Amador County, California |
| numerous festivals and events such as the annual | | | | Amador Country is a unique place where one can |
| Popeye Picnic that celebrates the town's native | | | | enjoy the luxury of three different climates. |
| son Elzie Segar - the creator of the popular | | | | Famous for its wine region, Amador is one of the |
| comic-strip character. Agriculture drives the | | | | major grape-growing regions of the country. |
| economy of this County and is aided by river | | | | 10. Polk County, North Carolina |
| transportation. With the local administration | | | | Polk County is one that has been untouched |
| planning the preservation of open space and | | | | despite the rapid growth of its neighboring |
| agricultural heritage of the County, Randolph | | | | counties. Nestled amidst the foothills of the |
| County is sure to stay on the top 10 list for long. | | | | Appalachians, tourism drives the economy of the |
| 4. Gillespie County, Texas | | | | County. This scenic County once undiscovered is |
| A land that gets clothed by beautiful flowers | | | | headed for growth in the near future. |
| every spring, Gillespie is a wonderful rural setting | | | | If you are thinking of buying or selling a home, |
| and a typical Texas County where one can find | | | | condo or any other type of real estate in the |
| wide-open spaces, cattle ranches and old men | | | | areas listed above, be sure to seek out the |
| wearing cowboy hats. The German influence is | | | | services of a local real estate agent to advise you |
| profound on the eating places here. The County is | | | | about local real estate market conditions. |
| popular for its peach orchards and citrus farms. | | | | |