Ask someone in the U.S. how happy they are and Gallup pollsters think they've got an idea of what the answer will be depending on what state you're in.
The polling company released its 11th annual well-being report, which was based on surveys of U.S. state residents throughout 2018.
The final scores, according to Gallup, were based on how residents rate their states in the following categories:
• 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.
Gallup noted that the state that got the top ranking has held that spot in seven of the 11 years it has conducted the study, and that it is among two states that has been in the top 10 every year they have done the survey.
As a whole, Gallup said, the nation has dropped a bit in overall well-being the past couple of years, shedding 0.9 during that time for a score of 61.2 out of 100 in 2018.
The following states, in ascending order, are the top 10 in Gallup's well-being ranking:
These state-level data are based on more than 115,000 surveys with U.S. adults across all 50 states, conducted in all 12 months of 2018.
10. North Dakota
The state ranked third highest for financial well-being, and seventh highest in the career score. It was only 33rd, however, in the physical score.
9. South Dakota
South Dakota ranked sixth in both the career and community scores. Its worst category was in physical well-being, were it was ranked 27th.
8. Delaware
One of only two states in the Northeast to finish in the top 10, Delaware ranked second in social well-being and fourth in financial well-being. It was ranked 26th in the career category.
7. Vermont
The Northeastern state with the highest score, Vermont was ranked third in the social category, fifth in community and sixth in physical. Its lowest category was career, where it still ranked 14th.
6. Colorado
This Rocky Mountain state was second in the nation in physical well-being and it finished between sixth and 11th in all other categories. It is the 11th year in a row Colorado finished in the top 10.
5. Utah
This state was second in the nation in the career category and fifth in social well-being. It finished no lower than 14th in the other categories.
4. Montana
Montana was second in community well-being and fourth in the career category. Its worst ranking was in social well-being, where it ranked 19th.
3. Alaska
This sparsely populated state was tops in the nation for physical well-being and second for financial well-being. Perhaps reflecting the low population, its worst category was community well-being, where it was ranked 23rd.
2. Wyoming
The home of Yellowstone National Park finished first in the nation in community well-being and third in both career and physical well-being.
1. Hawaii
This is the seventh time Hawaii has topped the list since Gallup started the ranking in 2008 and the 11th time it has been in the top 10. The vacation destination topped the nation in the career, social and financial categories, and fourth in community and physical well-being.
The full report can be viewed here.
