Best Run States

Posted on by Forest in Cheapest Places To Live, Saving Money & Finances

Best Run States

It’s pretty hard with 50 very different states in the US to determine exactly which one is best run. Of course it depends on what you need as to your perception of that but we can look at some factors that affect the bulk of society such as things like jobs, average salarys, education, access to health care and such things.

Luckily I don’t have to do all this research, I imagine it would take me a good few months! 24/7 Wall St have recently released their yearly round-up of the best run states.

They based their research and conclusions on many factors including credit scores, debts, use of resources, results of spending and tending to citizen needs, as well as living standards and government provided services and more.

The Top 10 Best Run States

So here is a summary fo the top 10 best run states collected from the awesome full analysis that can be found here.

1. Wyoming

• State debt per capita: $2,452 (18th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 14.9% (21st highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 10.3% (7th lowest)
• Unemployment: 5.8% (6th lowest)

2. Nebraska

• State debt per capita: $1,407 (4th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 11.5% (14th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 11.9% (tied for 14th lowest)
• Unemployment: 4.2% (2nd lowest)

3. North Dakota

• State debt per capita: $2,721 (20th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 9.8% (9th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 12.3% (17th lowest)
• Unemployment:  3.5% (the lowest)

4. Minnesota

• State debt per capita: $1,790 (8th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 9.1% (4th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 11.0% (10th lowest)
• Unemployment: 6.9% (14th lowest)

5. Iowa

• State debt per capita: $2,117 (13th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 9.3% (6th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 11.9% (tied for 14th lowest)
• Unemployment: 6% (8th lowest)

6. Utah

• State debt per capita: $2,274 (15th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 15.3% (20th highest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 11.5% (12th lowest)
• Unemployment: 7.4% (17th lowest)

7. Vermont

• State debt per capita: $5,514 (9th highest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 8% (3rd lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 11.7% (13th lowest)
• Unemployment: 5.8% (5th lowest)

8. Virginia

• State debt per capita: $3,100 (22nd lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 13.1% (20th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 10.7% (8th lowest)
• Unemployment: 6.5% (10th lowest)

9. Kansas

• State debt per capita: $2,086 (10th lowest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 13.9% (24th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 12.8% (tied for 21st lowest)
• Unemployment: 6.7% (12th lowest)

10. South Dakota

• State debt per capita: $4,485 (12th highest)
• Pct. without health insurance: 12.4% (18th lowest)
• Pct. below poverty line: 13.8% (25th highest)
• Unemployment: 4.6% (3rd lowest)

Best Run States

I have not visited and lived in the majority of these States but I guess the metrics used by 24/7 Wall St make pretty good sense but of course there is no better testimonies than people on the ground.

I am currently in Vermont and considering the state of the economy it seems to have weathered pretty well. Dairy and farming has been hit but small businesses and the organic food industry seems to be surviving pretty well, as far as I can see. Vermonters seem pretty happy and unemployment has been ok. I’m not sure about education levels and the health care available but a lot of people seem intelligent and healthy!

So, are you in any of these states and do you agree they are run well? If not please let me know where you think the survey got it wrong or where it got it right?

Related: Cheapest Places To Live In America

Thanks for reading - Best Run States.

Tags: best places to live, best states, governed states, states in usa