A Stacker-Niche study examined each U.S. state in an attempt to determine its best county. ABC 17 News, Columbia, Mo., carried the results.

Evaluating factors in counties’ quality-of-life assessment included:

• Job opportunities
• Affordable housing
• Good public schools
• Historical sites
• Engaging outdoor activities
• Cultural attractions
• Reasonable cost-of-living statistics

No surprise to MONTCO Today readers, Montgomery County was named best in Pa., based on the following statistics:

• Population: 850,890
• Median home value: $338,800 (with 72 percent of residents owning)
• Median rent: $1,393 (with 28 percent of residents renting)
• Median household income: $99,361

Celebrated historical assets here included Valley Forge National Historical Park, Peter Wentz Farmstead in Lansdale, and Mill Grove, in Audubon, home to naturist John James Audubon.

New Jersey’s top county was Somerset, with its own George Washington connection (site of his last wartime headquarters).

Delaware’s was New Castle, where the Delaware Art Museum is a draw.

Delaware County did make the list, but not the Philadelphia suburb; the nod went instead to the Columbus, Ohio region that shares its name.

Every notable community, state by state, is at ABC17.

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Main Line Network toured the John James Audubon Center (profiled below), one of the assets that lifted Montgomery County to a statewide honor.