America’s ‘Ugliest County’ is Here in Minnesota

Do the indignities never end? Just a couple of weeks ago, Minneapolis was ranked as America's Most Uncomfortable City, thanks to its wild temperature swings between summer and winter. And now, a new article says Minnesota is also home to the ugliest county in America.

A story on BringMeTheNews.com, says that according to a new survey done by the Washington Post, "Out of the 3,111 counties in the United States, the country’s 'ugliest county' title goes to Red Lake County, Minnesota."

Really? The ugliest county in the country? While I've never been to Red Lake County, most of Minnesota isn't exactly what I'd consider 'ugly,' no matter what their survey says. So how exactly did they come up with the title?

The story explains, "The paper used the federal government’s “natural amenities index” – a measure that looks at environmental qualities that most people prefer (mild, sunny winters, temperate summers, low humidity, topographic variation, and access to a body of water) and how that enhances the location as a place to live."

Ah, so now it's starting to make sense. The prettiest areas in the country are in California, right along the Pacific coast. I've been there, and they're right, it IS beautiful out there. And the weather is great, too-- mainly sunny and warm, but not too humid, as our summer months can be here in Minnesota. The story said, "Ventura County, California – the top-ranked county – has a topography of “high mountains”, and is known for its warmer winters (mean temperature of 53.8 degrees in January) with lots of sunlight (224 hours), data say."

Closer to home, while we're not dead last, we're not ranked all that highly, either. Olmsted County came in ranked 3,065 out of the 3,111 total counties in the country. That's pretty low. Wabasha County was ranked much higher -- thanks to the Mississippi River, no doubt -- at 2,209. But that's still a fairly low score overall.

Of course, this article comes on the heels of another survey out a few weeks ago that listed Minneapolis as the Most Uncomfortable City in the Country, as well-- mainly thanks to our sweltering humidity in the summer and bitter cold in the winter.

So, sure, several California counties might be ranked as the 'prettiest' in the country. But it's much more expensive to live out there. And while they may have an ocean right nearby, there's no water shortage going on here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!