NEW YORK – The Ocean State’s Washington County, better known locally as the South County area, is rated by Forbes Magazine as one of the nation’s 20 Best Places to Raise a Family.

Washington County, with a population of 127,561, came in at No. 12 on the 2008 list, between No. 11, Martin County, Fla., and No. 13, Albermarle County, Va., the magazine said in its June 30 report. The top three places went, in descending order, to Johnson County, Kan.; Ozaukee County, Wis.; and Hamilton County, Ind.

Rhode Island’s southernmost county includes “some of New England’s most appealing vacation spots,” Forbes noted, and its waterfront towns provide “a host of scenic spots for family outings.”

The magazine’s metrics-based evaluation also considered local graduation rates, crime rates, air quality, commute times and per-capita income.

For additional information, including Forbes Magazine’s full 20-county 2008 America’s Best Places to Raise a Family list, visit www.forbes.com.