overview
The natural amenities scale is a measure of the physical characteristics of a county area that enhance the location as a place to live. The scale was constructed by combining six measures of climate, typography, and water area that reflect environmental qualities most people prefer. These measures are warm winter, winter sun, temperate summer, low summer humidity, topographic variation, and water area. The data are available for counties in the lower 48 States. The file contains the original measures and standardized scores for each county as well as the amenities scale.

data files

• Download a Excel file containing the natural amenities scale for U.S. counties (1,874KB)
• Download a text file containing the natural amenities scale for U.S. counties (926KB)
• Map showing the natural amenities scale

release date
September 1999.

related resources

• Natural Amenities Drive Rural Population Change
• Rural America: Opportunities and Challenges

for more information, contact: David McGranahan
web administration: webadmin@ers.usda.gov
page updated: January 14, 2004