WalletHub released a new survey ranking the happiness of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
They ranked the states based on Emotional & Physical Well-Being, Work Environment, and Community & Environment.
Here’s how West Virginia ranked in each category:
- Emotional and Physical Well-Being: 51/51
- Work Environment: 48/51
- Community Environment and Recreational Activities: 28/51
West Virginia also ranked in the top five highest depression rates, the top 5 highest obesity rates, top 5 highest income growth, and top five lowest volunteerism rate.
Top 5 Happiest States
- Utah
- Minnesota
- North Dakota
- Hawaii
- Colorado
Bottom 5 Least Happy States
- West Virginia
- Alabama
- Kentucky
- Mississippi
- Arkansas
WalletHub found that life satisfaction, one of the two main components of happiness, increases as income rises, but it does not increase once people make $75,000. Making more money than that makes little difference in a person’s overall contentment with life.
You can see the full results of the study here.