Worst county in your state?

[ET21]

Cook Co. IL

[Flint1979]

I just looked at my mob-rule account and was looking at New York, I notice that Orleans County is an island for me, first time I've noticed that. I don't really look at New York on there too often though. Wayne County is also an island.

[kphoger]

Some of Kansas is within day trip range of Denver.

Eh, not really.

Where I grew up in northwestern Kansas, Denver was the nearest city.  My family went there a few times a year to go to the mall and stuff.  My dad would buy alcoholic beverages that were unavailable in small-town Kansas, my mom would shop for uniform supplies and sewing supplies, my dad and I would test-drive a car or two, we'd go out to eat at an ethnic restaurant or two, etc, etc.

Now, it was 3.5 hours each way to the shopping areas of Aurora.  My family always made an overnight trip of it, but someone else could easily do that in a day trip.  If my wife and I lived in the town I grew up in, for example, we'd probably leave home at 6:30 AM, arrive in the Denver area mid-morning, spend six or seven hours doing "big city stuff", and then be back home for the kids' bedtime.

[Flint1979]

I mean I don't know where in Kansas you'd be attempting to get to from Denver but like where Goodland is at is only about 3 hours from Denver.

[webny99]

I just looked at my mob-rule account and was looking at New York, I notice that Orleans County is an island for me, first time I've noticed that. I don't really look at New York on there too often though. Wayne County is also an island.

Wayne County is an island I'd recommend visiting at some point. It's the middle of nowhere, but it does have some cool places along the lake, like Sodus Point and Chimney Bluffs, and some history in the canal towns. I wouldn't worry about Orleans, though. 

[Flint1979]

I just looked at my mob-rule account and was looking at New York, I notice that Orleans County is an island for me, first time I've noticed that. I don't really look at New York on there too often though. Wayne County is also an island.

Wayne County is an island I'd recommend visiting at some point. It's the middle of nowhere, but it does have some cool places along the lake, like Sodus Point and Chimney Bluffs, and some history in the canal towns. I wouldn't worry about Orleans, though. 

I think going to New York would be fun. I'm looking at Orleans County not knowing much about it or ever being there I'd probably be ok going to get the clinch and getting outta there. With you being a local to that area unlike me what is it that makes Orleans County bad? Wayne County does appear to be a little more cooler so I'm assuming it's probably just blah scenery or something like that with Orleans.  Honestly I like the middle of nowhere I love being on a road by myself and not being anywhere near the hustle and bustle of a big city.

[debragga]

East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. Middle of nowhere, tons of poverty, and de facto segregated neighborhoods and schools.

[Flint1979]

East Carroll Parish, Louisiana. Middle of nowhere, tons of poverty, and de facto segregated neighborhoods and schools.

Geez just looking at the Demographics of that county (well parish in Louisiana talk) that might be the worst county (parish) anyone has listed to this point.

[kphoger]

I mean I don't know where in Kansas you'd be attempting to get to from Denver but like where Goodland is at is only about 3 hours from Denver.

I grew up in Atwood, KS.  It was 3½ hours to Denver metro using US-36, or 4 hours dropping down to Colby and using I-70 from there.

[webny99]

... I'm looking at Orleans County not knowing much about it or ever being there I'd probably be ok going to get the clinch and getting outta there. With you being a local to that area unlike me what is it that makes Orleans County bad? Wayne County does appear to be a little more cooler so I'm assuming it's probably just blah scenery or something like that with Orleans. 

I guess my previous post from a few days ago does as good a job as any explaining what I dislike about Orleans County:

Orleans is one of many Upstate counties that are losing population. As for why it's the worst, its Lake Ontario shoreline is terrible (zero beaches of note), it's run-down, economically depressed, and there's no scenery to speak of. To give an idea, here is your welcome to Orleans County on NY 104. Albion and Medina, meanwhile, are consistently ranked among the most redneck places in the state... and for Upstate NY, that's saying something.

Not like you'd be scarred for life or anything by driving through for the clinch, but it doesn't have a lot going for it no matter how you slice it.

[Scott5114]

"Doesn't have a lot going for it" does not make it the worst.

I'd imagine Oklahoma has sixty-ish counties that are on par with Orleans County. Run-down, economically depressed, no scenery, rednecks, zero Lake Ontario beaches...

[Flint1979]

I mean I don't know where in Kansas you'd be attempting to get to from Denver but like where Goodland is at is only about 3 hours from Denver.

I grew up in Atwood, KS.  It was 3½ hours to Denver metro using US-36, or 4 hours dropping down to Colby and using I-70 from there.

Still within a day trip for me. I think I'd use US-36 to get from Atwood, KS to Denver.

[webny99]

"Doesn't have a lot going for it" does not make it the worst.

I'd imagine Oklahoma has sixty-ish counties that are on par with Orleans County. Run-down, economically depressed, no scenery, rednecks, zero Lake Ontario beaches...

The thing is, New York doesn't have 60 of those. We only have one. Now, there are plenty of other New York counties that have some, or even most, of those characteristics, but not all of them. Many such counties are saved by at least having decent scenery, which contributes to some semblance of a tourism industry, which provides some degree of economic life support, and so on.

[Flint1979]

You would think that Lakeside Beach State Park would have a beach. Hamlin Beach State Park just east of the county line in Monroe County has a beach though. Sodus Point in Wayne County looks kind of interesting.

[empirestate]

Orleans is one of many Upstate counties that are losing population. As for why it's the worst, its Lake Ontario shoreline is terrible (zero beaches of note), it's run-down, redneck, economically depressed, and there's no scenery to speak of. To give an idea, here is your welcome to Orleans County on NY 104. Albion and Medina, meanwhile, are consistently ranked among the most redneck places in the state... and for Upstate NY, that's saying something.

As I mentioned upthread, all other counties at least have a number of things going for them, be it scenery, attractions, quality of life, a regional economic hub, or otherwise. Orleans is a true eyesore that doesn't have any of those things. That makes it the worst.

Objective, though? (Off-topic, since the question is about personal preference...but since you did offer...)

What's not objective about that?

All of the factors you mentioned depend on individual preference, perspective or experience. For example:
–There is a state park there called Lakeside Beach. Although I've never been to it, the fact that I can tell you this off the top of my head means it is at least somewhat of note. Furthermore, what time I have spent at the the Orleans County shoreline, I remember fondly.
–Run-down: this isn't anything I can corroborate from my own observation, at least not to a greater extent than any other county.
–Redneck: that would, presumably, be a positive aspect for those residents who are rednecks, or are generally in favor of them.
–No scenery to speak of: the culvert under the canal is pretty neat, and indeed, the canal infrastructure as a whole makes for some pretty neat vignettes here and there. You've also got some interesting cobblestone architecture–and not to mention, a Great Lake. Not every county in New York has one of those!

And just to cap it off, quality of life: whose life, though? Can't really get more subjective than that–and since getting subjective is the whole point of the question, why not just go ahead and embrace that, rather than try to support a subjective position with objective criteria?

Personally, I can't think of many reasons why I would need/want to visit the city of Rochester, and can probably count on one hand the number of city destinations that I've been to this year.

Well, according to your profile, you're located there...so that would presumably be a pretty good incentive to get there at least occasionally.

[TheGrassGuy]

Camden

[hotdogPi]

Camden

This thread is "worst county", not "worst city that shares the name of a county". Is the entire county that bad?

[Flint1979]

Camden

This thread is "worst county", not "worst city that shares the name of a county". Is the entire county that bad?

For New Jersey my choice would be Hudson County.

[webny99]

–There is a state park there called Lakeside Beach. Although I've never been to it, the fact that I can tell you this off the top of my head means it is at least somewhat of note. ...
–Run-down: this isn't anything I can corroborate from my own observation, at least not to a greater extent than any other county. ...

1. It's a beach in name only. Presumably, the reason you knew it existed is because it's where the LOSP ends.
2. Of course, every county has its run-down areas, but the difference with Orleans is that it's the whole county, not just parts of it.

And just to cap it off, quality of life: whose life, though? Can't really get more subjective than that–and since getting subjective is the whole point of the question, why not just go ahead and embrace that, rather than try to support a subjective position with objective criteria?

It is subjective in the sense that you can find a few positive things about Orleans County, which you've done a commendable job of.
But that's a lot different than making an argument for why another county is worse than Orleans. In other words, maybe you think Orleans County is simply OK, or not the worst place on the planet. That could be true, and it could still be the worst county in New York. The two can be true simultaneously if the New York's other 61 counties are simply better, which I believe to be the case.
My guess is that it would be pretty hard - for you, me, or anyone else - to make a feasible case, even subjectively, that any other county is worse, but I'm here for it if anyone wants to try! 

Personally, I can't think of many reasons why I would need/want to visit the city of Rochester, and can probably count on one hand the number of city destinations that I've been to this year.

Well, according to your profile, you're located there...so that would presumably be a pretty good incentive to get there at least occasionally.

I'm in the suburbs... but I think of myself as being "from Rochester" and that's what my answer would be if someone asked, so that's what I went with in my profile.

[kphoger]

It is subjective in the sense that you can find a few positive things about Orleans County, which you've done a commendable job of.
But that's a lot different than making an argument for why another county is worse than Orleans. In other words, maybe you think Orleans County is simply OK, or not the worst place on the planet. That could be true, and it could still be the worst county in New York. The two can be true simultaneously if the New York's other 61 counties are simply better, which I believe to be the case.
My guess is that it would be pretty hard - for you, me, or anyone else - to make a feasible case, even subjectively, that any other county is worse, but I'm here for it if anyone wants to try! 

If I lived closer, I might bet money that I could find multiple Orleans County residents who believe Bronx County is worse and could number the reasons why.

[webny99]

If I lived closer, I might bet money that I could find multiple Orleans County residents who believe Bronx County is worse and could number the reasons why.

Life was good until someone remembered that NYC was more than one county. 

[NWI_Irish96]

If I lived closer, I might bet money that I could find multiple Orleans County residents who believe Bronx County is worse and could number the reasons why.

Life was good until someone remembered that NYC was more than one county. 

The Bronx may have the worst parts of NYC, but in my 4 trips there, I've found reasons to go there twice, compared to once each for Brooklyn and Queens, and I've yet to find a reason to go to Staten Island.

[kphoger]

I really just meant NYC in general, and I picked a county.

[Flint1979]

I only went to Staten Island so I could say I was there. Pretty much it's suburban in character and there are parts of it that seem very isolated and remote.

[CapeCodder]

I only went to Staten Island so I could say I was there. Pretty much it's suburban in character and there are parts of it that seem very isolated and remote.

That's the beauty of it. There's some parts where you'd hardly believe you're in NYC