Area counties among the nation’s most desirable

WASHINGTON — A California-based Internet real estate company picked the United States’ 10 best counties in which to live — and four of the counties are in the D.C. area.

The firm Movoto names Loudoun County the best in the nation, ahead of Douglas County, Colorado. Fairfax County ranks third. Montgomery County is nestled in eighth place and Frederick County, Maryland, is ninth.

The rankings are based on unemployment, income, high school graduation rates and percentage of families below the poverty line. It also helps a county’s ranking if its rents and home prices are high — high housing costs signifying desirability.

Below is Movoto’s top 10 list:

  1. Loudoun County, Virginia
  2. Douglas County, Colorado
  3. Fairfax County, Virginia
  4. Chester County, Pennsylvania
  5. Somerset County, New Jersey
  6. Morris County, New Jersey
  7. Washington County, Minnesota
  8. Montgomery County, Maryland
  9. Frederick County, Maryland
  10. Rockingham County, New Hampshire

“We have to give a nod to the East Coast on this one, because they sure wrapped up the top 10. Don’t worry, other states, there are plenty of you represented in the top 50,” Movoto said on its website.

View a gallery of images from the top 10 counties:

The 10 Best Counties In America By Movoto Real Estate

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