US Counties Where Climate Change Will Cost the Least
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Not every county, or even every state, will be affected negatively by climate change. In fact, many will remain largely unaffected — and some will even experience economic benefits as a result.
GOBankingRates looked at a 2017 study from the journal Science that estimated the economic damage from climate change in the U.S. should the average temperature increase by 10 degrees. The following counties with negative damage estimates are expected to experience economic benefits.
Click through to see how climate change could potentially impact the American economy on a county level.
30. Conejos County, Colorado
Total Estimated Damages: -6.5 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -20.1 deaths per 100,000
Known for some of the best fly fishing in Colorado without tourist crowds, Conejos County will actually benefit from a warming climate.
The short tourist season that supports the county's forestry, fishing and hunting jobs runs during summer months, usually from mid-June through September. Warming temps will melt snow earlier and delay freezing temps, extending the high season on both ends.
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29. Bethel Census Area, Alaska
Total Estimated Damages: -6.5 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -25.6 deaths per 100,000
The county known as the Bethel Census Area currently has a poverty rate of 25.2 percent. A warmer climate will draw more visitors and increase the population, as people won't have to endure a harsh climate to enjoy wonders like Lake Clark National Park and Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, thereby boosting the economy.
28. Curry County, Oregon
Total Estimated Damages: -6.5 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29.9 deaths per 100,000
Curry County presently enjoys a stable economy with property values and employment opportunities on the rise. The picturesque county along Oregon's southern coast should only get more stable as temperatures increase, making it one of the best places to own investment property.
27. Pacific County, Washington
Total Estimated Damages: -6.6 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -32.5 deaths per 100,000
Nicknamed "the Orange County of Washington State," the dramatic coastal Pacific County has recently seen a 4.5 percent decline in job growth, along with slight declines in property values and population. Now might be the time to invest as climate change bolsters area growth over the long term. But first, check out these five essential tips for buying investment property.
26. Presque Isle County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -6.7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29.4 deaths per 100,000
Presque Isle County enjoys a poverty rate slightly lower than the U.S. average of 13.9 percent, and the climate change study showed that the county's economy will fare even better should the temperature rise by 10 degrees. The scenic county along Lake Huron has an economy heavily bolstered by tourism that supports jobs in forestry, hunting and fishing.
25. Aroostook County, Maine
Total Estimated Damages: -6.7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -31.5 deaths per 100,000
Located in central Maine's heavily forested interior, Aroostook County's name means "beautiful river." Its economy relies heavily on forestry, fishing and hunting. Ten percent of its land is cultivated farmland growing broccoli, potatoes and grains that would benefit from a longer growing season.
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24. Idaho County, Idaho
Total Estimated Damages: -6.9 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -25.2 deaths per 100,000
Set in the Nez Perce and Clearwater National Forests, Idaho County presently enjoys a stable economy with an economy based on forestry, hunting and fishing. The economy is predicted to become even better as warming extends the season for fishing, rafting and other water sports on the Salmon, Snake and Clearwater rivers flowing through the county.
23. Wheatland County, Montana
Total Estimated Damages: -6.9 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -24.7 deaths per 100,000
Like its name implies, Wheatland County relies primarily on agriculture with crops such as wheat, barley, oats and hay. It's also cattle country, and a longer growing season means more natural forage for a longer season, bringing costs down for ranchers and potential savings at the store.
22. Pocahontas County, West Virginia
Total Estimated Damages: -6.9 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29.4 deaths per 100,000
Known as "Nature's Mountain Playground," Pocahontas County's economy has enjoyed modest growth in its economy with 2.79 percent job growth and 7.54 percent increase in median property value for the most recent years for which statistics are available.
A 10-degree increase in temperature and longer growing season is likely to bring a greater number of visitors to experience attractions that include the Monongahela National Forest and Cass Scenic Railroad State Park.
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21. Chaffee County, Colorado
Total Estimated Damages: -7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29.6 deaths per 100,000
The effects of climate change are sure to be positive in Chaffee County as temperatures warm. The county encompasses 15 of Colorado's famous "14ers," peaks that tower above 14,000 feet. More than 100 miles of the Arkansas River wind through the county. Retail trade and construction are the economic anchors in this fast-growing county.
20. Rio Grande County, Colorado
Total Estimated Damages: -7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -30.7 deaths per 100,000
The cost of climate change elsewhere will add up to benefits in Rio Grande County. The county straddles its namesake river, attracting anglers to pull trophy trout from its waters. The county also is a major potato producer and grows barley for the Coors Beer operation in Monte Vista. Both industries will benefit from increasing temperatures as a larger fly hatch bolsters fishing season and the agricultural season lengthens.
19. Ontonagon County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -7.1 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -32.9 deaths per 100,000
Tucked along the south shore of Lake Superior, Ontonagon County's economy has experienced slight economic declines that include a 5 percent decrease in employment opportunities. An increase of 10 degrees by this century's end will have a positive impact on the economy which has strong roots in forestry, fishing, retail and accommodations.
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18. Highland County, Virginia
Total Estimated Damages: -7.2 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -27.2 deaths per 100,000
Even though Highland County experienced a recent 6.63 drop in property values and 4 percent decline in employment, climate change in America could bring positive change to the county.
Tucked in a picturesque valley between the Monongahela National Forest and George Washington and Jefferson National Forest, warmer weather will positively impact its economy that relies on agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting and construction.
17. Lake and Peninsula Borough, Alaska
Total Estimated Damages: -7.2 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -35.8 deaths per 100,000
Lake and Peninsula Borough is the 26th most populated county in the state. An increase in temperatures will extend the warm season, supporting jobs in the forestry, hunting and fishing industries.
16. Northwest Arctic Borough, Alaska
Total Estimated Damages: -7.2 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -31.6 deaths per 100,000
Life doesn't happen cheaply in Northwest Arctic Borough. Expect to pay upwards of $2,000 per month for a three-bedroom apartment and more than $7 per gallon for gas. A 10-degree temperature increase would raise average summer temperatures and lengthen the season when visitors come to see caribou in Kobuk Valley National Park or fish on the Kobuk River.
15. Meagher County, Montana
Total Estimated Damages: -7.4 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -32.2 deaths per 100,000
Global temperatures rising means good news for Meagher County, which relies on income from its 136 farms and ranches for a major portion of its economy. Cattle is king in the county, with the bulk of farmland used for hay and pasture land that would benefit from a longer growing season as a result of climate change in America.
14. Costilla County, Colorado
Total Estimated Damages: -7.7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -24.2 deaths per 100,000
Costilla County lies in the world's highest alpine desert framed by the picturesque Sangre de Cristo mountains. Dependent largely on agriculture, climate change is expected to increase the growing season for crops that include potatoes, alfalfa hay, sweet potatoes, melons and vegetables.
13. Piscataquis County, Maine
Total Estimated Damages: -7.7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -33.3 deaths per 100,000
A warming climate will bolster the agricultural economy of Piscataquis County, which produces products that include potatoes, cattle and hay. The county will also benefit from increased opportunity in forestry, hunting and fishing jobs in its picturesque landscape that includes Mount Katahdin, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.
12. Baraga County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -7.8 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29.6 deaths per 100,000
Forestry, fishing and hunting play a major role in Baraga County, located on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The county relies heavily on outdoor pursuits, including fishing and snowmobiling, that support forestry and other outdoor jobs.
Although 10 degrees of increased temperatures might shorten snowmobile season for a few weeks, it will lengthen the camping, hiking and fishing season in the Ottawa National Forest and other scenic locales.
11. Gogebic County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -7.9 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -34.4 deaths per 100,000
Set on the far west end of Michigan's scenic Upper Peninsula, Gogebic County's economy relies heavily on forestry, fishing, hunting and recreation. The Ottawa National Forest, Lake Gogebic and Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness are major draws to the area.
A climate change of 10 degrees will benefit the area through increasing the recreation season without significant harm to flora or fauna the study determined.
10. Yancey County, North Carolina
Total Estimated Damages: -8.1 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29.5 deaths per 100,000
With housing values below the national average, Yancey County might be one of the best places to buy a home in the coming years. The county economy relies heavily on construction and has the highest elevation of any county in the state, making it a haven for those wishing to live in cooler climes as temperatures warm.
9. Nome Census Area, Alaska
Total Estimated Damages: -8.3 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -38.2 deaths per 100,000
Most people in Nome Census Area commute to work by walking, with an average time of fewer than seven minutes. The reason? Many residents work in the gold-dredging industry, which involves living on a boat or living onsite at a mining claim. Less harsh conditions as the climate warms will undoubtedly bring more people to the area hoping to strike it rich, boosting the economy in the process.
8. Fremont County, Colorado
Total Estimated Damages: -8.5 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -30.6 deaths per 100,000
Although Fremont County is home to Royal Gorge and the Gold Belt Byway, its primary economy doesn't rely on tourism. Public administration such as law enforcement and correctional officers at the Fremont Correctional Facility, Skyline Correctional Center and Fremont County Detention Center anchor the economy.
As temps climb, heat stress will cause more aggression and violent crime, according to the Association for Psychological Science. The upside: An increase in convictions will benefit the economies of corrections-centered counties like Fremont.
7. Schoolcraft County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -8.5 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -37.2 deaths per 100,000
Situated on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Schoolcraft County is home to picturesque destinations that include Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The effects of climate change are sure to bring more visitors to this relatively cool location, supporting the economy reliant on forestry, fishing, hunting and recreation.
6. Montmorency County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -8.8 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -34.4 deaths per 100,000
Like other counties in upper Michigan, Montmorency County weather will remain pleasant even with a 10-degree increase increase in temperature. Summer highs would only bump up to 90, still making a relatively cool getaway to enjoy natural getaways at Atlanta State Forest, the Pigeon River, Clear Lake State Park and other recreation sites.
5. Iron County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -8.9 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -40.6 deaths per 100,000
Iron County shares boundaries with Wisconsin and the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, making it a prime getaway for those wishing to escape the increased temperatures of climate change. That will mean good news for Iron County's economy, which relies heavily on its natural resources and has seen recent declines.
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4. Alger County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -9.7 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -33.9 deaths per 100,000
Stunning cliffs rise out of azure waters at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Alger County. The scenery isn't what bolsters the economy in this county, however. Alger Correctional Facility provides the base of the county's economy, which is expected to only grow as climate change triggers an increase in violent crime.
3. Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska
Total Estimated Damages: -9.9 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -29 deaths per 100,000
Formerly known as the Wade Hampton Census Area, Kusilvak County is the fourth-poorest region in the U.S. with a poverty rate of 33.3 percent. The county averages the lowest weekly wage in the state at just $541. The effects of climate change will bring some of the greatest benefits in the nation to this area's local economy, according to the climate change study.
2. Luce County, Michigan
Total Estimated Damages: -10 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -34.5 deaths per 100,000
Home to scenic Tahquamenon Falls and a multitude of lakes, wildlife areas and forested areas, Luce County is a recreational playground for outdoor enthusiasts. Its natural resource-dependent economy will enjoy some of the most beneficial effects of climate change in the nation.
1. Mineral County, Nevada
Total Estimated Damages: -13.2 percent of GDP
Mortality Rates: -56.3 deaths per 100,000
Forget about Las Vegas — Mineral County will be the place to head at the end of the century. Cooler climates in the Inyo National Forest and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest will draw visitors wishing to cast a line for cutthroat trout and escape searing temps in the Southwest's desert regions.
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