The 10 states with the worst quality of life
- Thread starter Mook
- Start date
those politicians are really helping their people!
Wasn't South Carolina on the list for nicest places to live or most desirable? If you have ever been to the non hick parts of South Carolina you would know it is fantastic and 100 times better than illinois. Also much better for car enthusiasts. I believe underground racing is based in Charlotte as well. I know that's in North Carolina but drive 10 miles south and ur in South Carolina.
Yes, same here. We have considered moving there in the future.
Might have to rethink this now.
I see what you did there.
How hard is it for those people to graduate high school? I don't get..unless 82% of those people have a learning disability.
I was at Portillo's last night, and I had a group of kids sit behind me.
The were obnoxiously loud, and I could barely understand anything they said. I see why they would not be attractive to employers because they didn't have basic English skills.
The 10 States With the Best Quality of Life
10. Wisconsin
> Employment rate: 74.8% (9th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $29,536 (23rd highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.72 per 100,000 people (15th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 73.6% (2nd highest)
Based on nine distinct well-being measures, Wisconsin is one of the top states in the nation for quality of life. Like nearly all top-ranked states, Wisconsin’s housing score was quite high. A typical home had 2.7 rooms per person. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of households had broadband Internet access, both among the higher rates nationwide. Residents are also more politically active than people in a majority of states. The state reported a 74% voter turnout rate, better than almost every other state.
9. Washington
> Employment rate: 67.8% (21st lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $31,307 (16th highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.55 per 100,000 people (11th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 65.6% (16th highest)
Nearly four in five Washington residents had broadband Internet access last year, tied with New Hampshire for the highest rate in the country. Washingtonians also enjoy exceptional air quality and a relatively healthy environment. Just 4.1 mg of airborne dangerous particulate matter per cubic meter was recorded in the state, nearly the lowest level of pollution measured. Washington also leads the nation for renewable energy production, with more than 1,012 trillion BTUs produced in 2012, far more than any other state.
8. Maine
> Employment rate: 72.7% (11th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $28,333 (22nd lowest)
> Homicide rate: 1.88 per 100,000 people (8th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 68.6% (9th highest)
Based on OECD metrics, Maine — which advertises itself as “Vacationland” — is far more than merely a tourist destination. Like more than half of the best states for quality of life, Maine received a nearly perfect score for its housing. Maine homes had an average of nearly three rooms per person, more than all but one other state. Spacious households are likely favored by Maine residents as the state’s long winter can keep people indoors for long periods. And while heating costs can be a burden, falling U.S. crude oil prices have considerably reduced the financial strain of buying home heating oil, which is more-widely used in Maine than in any other state.
7. Massachusetts
> Employment rate: 71.3% (14th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $38,620 (2nd highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.62 per 100,000 people (12th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 70.8% (4th highest)
Only one state received a higher income score than Massachusetts. Last year, the state’s per capita disposable income was $38,620, more than anywhere else in the United States except Connecticut, and among the top 4% of regions reviewed by the OECD across 28 countries. Massachusetts was also a top state for health, with one of the lowest mortality rates, as well as one of the highest life expectancies, at 80.5 years, in the country. However, compared to all country regions measured by the OECD, Massachusetts’ score is barely in the top 40% for health.
6. Colorado
> Employment rate: 71.2% (15th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $30,999 (18th highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.90 per 100,000 people (17th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 70.4% (5th highest)
Colorado residents are active participants in local and state politics, and they have among the best accessibility to services. More than 70% of eligible Coloradans participated in elections last year, among the higher rates in the nation. While Colorado’s unemployment rate of 7.7% was not particularly good, its economy has grown relatively rapidly in the past two years. A report released earlier this year by the Colorado Secretary of State showed strong numbers of new business filings and predicted future employment gains
5. North Dakota
> Employment rate: 81.8% (the highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $31,844 (12th highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.99 per 100,000 people (18th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 63.9% (19th highest)
Large economic windfalls, like the recent oil boom in North Dakota, do not necessarily improve a state’s well-being. A strong economy, of course, still has many benefits. North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate nationwide, at just 3.3%. And 9.0% of the state’s workforce was employed in the agriculture and mining industries, more than all but one other state. The energy boom has also led to exceptional growth rates. North Dakota’s economic output has grown faster than that of any other state for several years. In addition to benefiting from an economic boom, North Dakota residents are relatively well educated. More than 91% of the state’s labor force had completed at least secondary school last year, among the highest rates in the country.
4. Iowa
> Employment rate: 78.1% (5th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $30,164 (20th highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.38 per 100,000 people (2nd lowest)
> Voter turnout: 69.4% (tied, 6th highest)
The OECD rated Iowa better than all but a few states for its jobs climate and safety. Just 5.2% of the workforce was unemployed last year, and the homicide rate — 1.4 per 100,000 — was lower than every state except New Hampshire. Iowa residents also had the benefit of a productive renewable energy sector, with greater production of renewable energy than all but two other states as of 2012. The majority of renewable energy output came from 476 trillion BTUs of biodiesel produced that year, which was more than any other state.
3. Vermont
> Employment rate: 79.0% (3rd highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $30,102 (21st highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.39 per 100,000 people (3rd lowest)
> Voter turnout: 63.3% (22nd highest)
Vermont is among the nation’s leaders in several well-being measures. State residents are exceptionally well-educated. Nearly 92% of Vermont’s workforce had completed at least secondary school last year, nearly the highest rate nationwide. Vermont was one of a handful of states to receive a close to perfect score for housing. With more than three rooms per person, homes tend to be more spacious than those in any other state. Additionally, just 7.2% of residents lacked health care last year, less than half the rate for all Americans, and lower than all but one other state. Based on a recent survey by Gallup, Vermonters are also the most likely Americans to exercise regularly and consume fresh produce daily, which further contributes to the population’s good health.
2. Minnesota
> Employment rate: 77.3% (6th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $32,256 (9th highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.68 per 100,000 people (4th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 73.2% (3rd highest)
Minnesota is one of the top states in the nation by a range of well-being metrics. Notably, the state was tied for second best with Vermont for education, as nearly 92% of the labor force had at least a high school diploma. Minnesota was also a top state for health, with a mortality rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents and a life expectancy of over 81 years, both among the best nationwide. Per capita household disposable income was also quite high at $32,257, ninth best nationwide. Census Bureau figures also indicate Minnesota compares favorably with other states in ensuring residents are living well. The state’s poverty rate of 11.2% was among the lowest nationwide in 2013.
1. New Hampshire
> Employment rate: 77.0% (7th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $34,208 (7th highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.11 per 100,000 people (the lowest)
> Voter turnout: 69.4% (tied, 6th highest)
New Hampshire scored better than any other state for quality of life. No state had a lower homicide rate than New Hampshire, where there was just barely a single murder per 100,000 residents. Additionally, New Hampshire was also the top-ranked state for accessibility of services, with 79% of households reporting they had access to broadband, the highest in the United States. Further, New Hampshire ranked among the best states in most other measures considered by the OECD. The Granite State also had the nation’s lowest poverty rate in 2013, according to the Census Bureau, at just 8.7% of all residents.
10. Wisconsin
> Employment rate: 74.8% (9th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $29,536 (23rd highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.72 per 100,000 people (15th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 73.6% (2nd highest)
Based on nine distinct well-being measures, Wisconsin is one of the top states in the nation for quality of life. Like nearly all top-ranked states, Wisconsin’s housing score was quite high. A typical home had 2.7 rooms per person. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of households had broadband Internet access, both among the higher rates nationwide. Residents are also more politically active than people in a majority of states. The state reported a 74% voter turnout rate, better than almost every other state.
9. Washington
> Employment rate: 67.8% (21st lowest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $31,307 (16th highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.55 per 100,000 people (11th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 65.6% (16th highest)
Nearly four in five Washington residents had broadband Internet access last year, tied with New Hampshire for the highest rate in the country. Washingtonians also enjoy exceptional air quality and a relatively healthy environment. Just 4.1 mg of airborne dangerous particulate matter per cubic meter was recorded in the state, nearly the lowest level of pollution measured. Washington also leads the nation for renewable energy production, with more than 1,012 trillion BTUs produced in 2012, far more than any other state.
8. Maine
> Employment rate: 72.7% (11th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $28,333 (22nd lowest)
> Homicide rate: 1.88 per 100,000 people (8th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 68.6% (9th highest)
Based on OECD metrics, Maine — which advertises itself as “Vacationland” — is far more than merely a tourist destination. Like more than half of the best states for quality of life, Maine received a nearly perfect score for its housing. Maine homes had an average of nearly three rooms per person, more than all but one other state. Spacious households are likely favored by Maine residents as the state’s long winter can keep people indoors for long periods. And while heating costs can be a burden, falling U.S. crude oil prices have considerably reduced the financial strain of buying home heating oil, which is more-widely used in Maine than in any other state.
7. Massachusetts
> Employment rate: 71.3% (14th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $38,620 (2nd highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.62 per 100,000 people (12th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 70.8% (4th highest)
Only one state received a higher income score than Massachusetts. Last year, the state’s per capita disposable income was $38,620, more than anywhere else in the United States except Connecticut, and among the top 4% of regions reviewed by the OECD across 28 countries. Massachusetts was also a top state for health, with one of the lowest mortality rates, as well as one of the highest life expectancies, at 80.5 years, in the country. However, compared to all country regions measured by the OECD, Massachusetts’ score is barely in the top 40% for health.
6. Colorado
> Employment rate: 71.2% (15th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $30,999 (18th highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.90 per 100,000 people (17th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 70.4% (5th highest)
Colorado residents are active participants in local and state politics, and they have among the best accessibility to services. More than 70% of eligible Coloradans participated in elections last year, among the higher rates in the nation. While Colorado’s unemployment rate of 7.7% was not particularly good, its economy has grown relatively rapidly in the past two years. A report released earlier this year by the Colorado Secretary of State showed strong numbers of new business filings and predicted future employment gains
5. North Dakota
> Employment rate: 81.8% (the highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $31,844 (12th highest)
> Homicide rate: 2.99 per 100,000 people (18th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 63.9% (19th highest)
Large economic windfalls, like the recent oil boom in North Dakota, do not necessarily improve a state’s well-being. A strong economy, of course, still has many benefits. North Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate nationwide, at just 3.3%. And 9.0% of the state’s workforce was employed in the agriculture and mining industries, more than all but one other state. The energy boom has also led to exceptional growth rates. North Dakota’s economic output has grown faster than that of any other state for several years. In addition to benefiting from an economic boom, North Dakota residents are relatively well educated. More than 91% of the state’s labor force had completed at least secondary school last year, among the highest rates in the country.
4. Iowa
> Employment rate: 78.1% (5th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $30,164 (20th highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.38 per 100,000 people (2nd lowest)
> Voter turnout: 69.4% (tied, 6th highest)
The OECD rated Iowa better than all but a few states for its jobs climate and safety. Just 5.2% of the workforce was unemployed last year, and the homicide rate — 1.4 per 100,000 — was lower than every state except New Hampshire. Iowa residents also had the benefit of a productive renewable energy sector, with greater production of renewable energy than all but two other states as of 2012. The majority of renewable energy output came from 476 trillion BTUs of biodiesel produced that year, which was more than any other state.
3. Vermont
> Employment rate: 79.0% (3rd highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $30,102 (21st highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.39 per 100,000 people (3rd lowest)
> Voter turnout: 63.3% (22nd highest)
Vermont is among the nation’s leaders in several well-being measures. State residents are exceptionally well-educated. Nearly 92% of Vermont’s workforce had completed at least secondary school last year, nearly the highest rate nationwide. Vermont was one of a handful of states to receive a close to perfect score for housing. With more than three rooms per person, homes tend to be more spacious than those in any other state. Additionally, just 7.2% of residents lacked health care last year, less than half the rate for all Americans, and lower than all but one other state. Based on a recent survey by Gallup, Vermonters are also the most likely Americans to exercise regularly and consume fresh produce daily, which further contributes to the population’s good health.
2. Minnesota
> Employment rate: 77.3% (6th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $32,256 (9th highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.68 per 100,000 people (4th lowest)
> Voter turnout: 73.2% (3rd highest)
Minnesota is one of the top states in the nation by a range of well-being metrics. Notably, the state was tied for second best with Vermont for education, as nearly 92% of the labor force had at least a high school diploma. Minnesota was also a top state for health, with a mortality rate of 7.5 per 1,000 residents and a life expectancy of over 81 years, both among the best nationwide. Per capita household disposable income was also quite high at $32,257, ninth best nationwide. Census Bureau figures also indicate Minnesota compares favorably with other states in ensuring residents are living well. The state’s poverty rate of 11.2% was among the lowest nationwide in 2013.
1. New Hampshire
> Employment rate: 77.0% (7th highest)
> Household disposable income per capita: $34,208 (7th highest)
> Homicide rate: 1.11 per 100,000 people (the lowest)
> Voter turnout: 69.4% (tied, 6th highest)
New Hampshire scored better than any other state for quality of life. No state had a lower homicide rate than New Hampshire, where there was just barely a single murder per 100,000 residents. Additionally, New Hampshire was also the top-ranked state for accessibility of services, with 79% of households reporting they had access to broadband, the highest in the United States. Further, New Hampshire ranked among the best states in most other measures considered by the OECD. The Granite State also had the nation’s lowest poverty rate in 2013, according to the Census Bureau, at just 8.7% of all residents.
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