Readers of Progressive Farmer Magazine voted Alleghany County as the fifth best place to live in rural America. The ranking is based on polling conducted by the magazine earlier this year. Readers were allowed to vote online.

According to readers, the top rural areas to live is Obion County, Tennessee, followed by: Columbia County, Pennsylvania; Boyle County, Kentucky; Dyer County, Tennessee; Alleghany County, Virginia; Weakley County, Tennessee; McLean County, Kentucky; Queen Anne's County, Maryland; Hart County, Georgia; and Ellis County, Kansas.

In its own rankings, the magazine ranked Alleghany County 21st among rural areas in the Southeast. Kent County, Maryland was ranked by the magazine as the top rural area to live in the United States.

The magazine based its rankings on population density, tract size, home and land prices, crime rates, environment, education, economic factors, and access to health care.

Source: Virginian Review - Monday, September 15, 2008