These States Are Pulling Their Weight for US Economy

Washington state has the best economy, West Virginia the worst, per WalletHub ranking
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 5, 2023 2:49 PM CDT
These States Are Pulling Their Weight for US Economy
Stock photo.   (Getty Images/mirza kadic)

When it comes to the US economy, a variety of factors underlie its health (or lack thereof), with the economies of individual states playing a significant part. WalletHub wanted to see which ones are really pulling their weight when it comes to contributing to the national coffers, so it looked at all 50, plus the District of Columbia, examining more than two dozen metrics in three main categories: economic activity, meaning factors such as GDP changes, exports per capita, and startup activity; economic health (e.g., unemployment rate, median household income, and share of the local population in poverty); and innovation potential, which looks at such factors as the share of high-tech jobs and entrepreneurial activity. Washington state takes the No. 1 spot on the list, while West Virginia comes in last. Read on for the best and worst state economies in the nation:

Best Economies

  1. Washington state
  2. Utah (No. 1 in "Economic Activity" and "Economic Health" categories)
  3. Massachusetts (No. 1 in "Innovation Potential" category)
  4. Colorado
  5. California
  6. Idaho
  7. North Carolina
  8. Washington, DC
  9. Texas
  10. Arizona

Worst Economies
  1. Maine
  2. South Dakota
  3. North Dakota
  4. Kentucky
  5. Oklahoma
  6. Hawaii
  7. Mississippi
  8. Alaska (last in "Economic Activity" category)
  9. Louisiana (last in "Economic Health" category)
  10. West Virginia (last in "Innovation Potential" category)
See how other states are doing financially here. (Check out the best and worst states for jobs.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X