It’s probably no surprise that Hawaii, with its year-round, paradise-like weather, ranks as the happiest state in America, in a Gallup 2018 well-being poll. However, based on the states ranked #2, #3 and #4, good weather clearly is not the deciding factor in happiness.
Hawaii’s position in the top spot was its seventh such ranking since Gallup began tracking the nation’s wellbeing back in 2008. In fact, Hawaii and Colorado have ranked among the top ten states in wellbeing for the eleventh consecutive year, the only two states to do so. West Virginia residents chalked up a less desirable record, having reported the lowest wellbeing for the tenth straight year.
The unhappiest states were Arkansas, which sunk to 49th – its lowest level ever - after ranking 48 in 2017 its lowest level ever.
Is your state among the happiest? Here are the top twenty:
- Hawaii
- Wyoming
- Alaska
- Montana
- Utah
- Colorado
- Vermont
- Delaware
- South Dakota
- North Dakota
- New Hampshire
- Minnesota
- Washington
- California
- Arizona
- Connecticut
- Massachusetts
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- Florida
Here are the states that ranked the lowest:
- West Virginia
- Arkansas
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Oklahoma
- Alabama
- Louisiana
- Illinois
- Indiana
The Wellbeing Index score was based on:
- Career: liking what you do each day and being motivated to achieve your goals
- Social: having supportive relationships and love in your life
- Financial: managing your economic life to reduce stress and increase security
- Community: liking where you live, feeling safe and having pride in your community
- Physical: having good health and enough energy to get things done daily
