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Though they are part of one united country, the 50 states have their own individual identities. States have their own cuisines, slang, sources of pride and drawbacks that are unique to that part of the country.
Each state has at least one positive statistical attribute in which it surpasses every other part of the United States, or at least almost every other part. For instance, Texans will happily tell you that everything is bigger in the Lone Star State, though maybe they should be boasting about how the state has the lowest gas prices of anywhere in the nation.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed facts and figures from various sources about each state to determine the best statistic about each state.
Click here to read about the best statistic about each state.
States excel in certain areas for many reasons. Some have benefitted from the features of their geographic location, leading the nation in hydroelectric and wind energy creation. Other state superlatives come from having cultures that value physical activity, social interaction, and tolerance. Several states have benefitted from politicians prioritizing the safety and health of their constituents, leading to safer roads and healthy, insured citizens.
Methodology
To determine the best statistic about each state, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a number of government and media sources to find one positive statistical attribute in which each state stands out.
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Alabama: 11.2%
According to a SmartAsset study, 11.2% of businesses in Alabama are owned by military veterans, the highest share among all states.
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Alaska: $1,100
Alaskans received $1,100 in 2017 as part of the state’s Permanent Fund Dividend program.
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Arizona: 6.2 million visitors
6.2 million people visited Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park in 2017, making the iconic American landmark the second most visited National Park in the country.
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Arkansas: 9.5 per 100,000
In 2017, 9.5 out of every 1,000 Arkansas residents got married, the third highest marriage rate nationwide.
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California: 80.9 years
Life expectancy at birth in California is 80.9 years, the longest life expectancy of any state in the continental U.S.
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Colorado: 15.1%
Colorado is one of the most physically fit states in the U.S. Just 15.1% of adults do not exercise in their free time, the lowest share of any state.
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Connecticut: 15.7 years
Connecticut’s 65 year olds can expect to live 15.7 years in good health, longer than any state in the contiguous U.S.
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Delaware: 28.8%
Close to 35% of Americans seniors have some form of disability. Just 28.8% of Delaware’s 65 and older residents have a disability, the lowest share of any state.
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Florida: 87.0%
Women working full-time in Florida earn 87.0% of men’s full-time earnings, one of the lowest gender pay gaps in the country. Nationally, women’s full-time wages are 80.7% of male wages.
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Georgia: 2.32%
That’s the share of Georgia’s 12 and older population who have an illicit drug use disorder, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That’s one of the lowest shares in the U.S.
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Hawaii: 2.4%
Hawaii’s 2.4% unemployment rate in 2017 was the lowest in the country and well below the 4.4% national unemployment rate.
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Idaho: 11.42 per 100,000
Idaho is a relatively crime-free state, including a burglary rate of just 11.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, the lowest of any state and far below the national rate of 98 burglaries per 100,000 Americans.
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Illinois: 1.9 per 1,000
Illinois has among the most stable marriages in the country. The state has a divorce rate of just 1.9 per 1,000 people, tied with Louisiana for the lowest in the country.
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Indiana: 22.4%
Of all driving deaths in Indiana, just 22.4% were alcohol related, a lower share than in all but two other states.
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Iowa: 2.94 days
Iowans report being in poor physical health on average 2.94 days in a month, the shortest time of any state. In many states, the average is more than four days, and even over five in two cases.
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Kansas: 36%
Kansas has one of the largest shares of total energy production from renewable sources, and 36% of the state’s electrical production comes from wind energy.
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Kentucky: 116.2 per 100,000
Kentucky has one of the lowest rates of aggravated assault in the country, with just 116.2 incidents reported per 100,000 residents — less than half the national aggravated assault rate.
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Louisiana: 9.09 cents/kWh
Louisiana has the cheapest electricity in the country, at a rate of just 9.09 cents per kilowatt hour. That is less than half the rate of eight states, and less than one-third of Hawaii’s 33.82 cents/kWh.
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Maine: 121 per 100,000 people
Maine’s annual violent crime rate of 121 incidents per 100,000 people is the lowest in the country. The national rate is 383 incidents per 100,000 people.
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Maryland: $80,776
Maryland has the highest median household income in the country at $80,776, more than $20,000 above the national annual median.
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Massachusetts: 43.4%
Massachusetts has the highest share of adults with a bachelor’s degree of any state, at 43.4%. That’s over 10 percentage points above the U.S. share of 32% of adults.
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Michigan: 5.2%
Just 5.2% of Michigan’s residents lack health insurance, one of the lowest shares of any state and below the national share of 8.7%.
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Minnesota:
Minnesota is one of the healthiest states in the country. Just 263 out of every 100,000 people die prematurely, compared to 336 per 100,000 nationwide.
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Mississippi: 86.4 cents
Mississippi has the lowest cost of living of any state. Something that would cost a dollar on average across the country only costs 86.4 cents in the state.
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Missouri: 12.6%
The impact that Missouri’s arts and cultural industries have on the state grew 12.6% in 2015 — the largest increase of any state.
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Montana: 93%
Of Montana’s adults, 93% have graduated from high school, the third largest share among states.
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Nebraska: 2.4
Nebraska had the lowest rate of opioid-related overdose deaths, at just 2.4 per 100,000. In several states, it is over 40 per 100,000 people
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Nevada: 1.6%
Just 1.6% of Nevada’s bridges are considered structurally deficient, the lowest share of any state.
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New Hampshire: 1.04 per 100,000
New Hampshire has the lowest murder rate in the country, at just 1.04 per 100,000 people. Louisiana had the highest murder rate, at 12.4 per 100,000 .
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New Jersey: 16.7%
New Jersey has the most wealthy families. Nationwide, 9.0% of families have annual incomes of $200,000 or more. In New Jersey, that figure is 16.7%.
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New Mexico: 0
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, there are zero hate groups in New Mexico. Neighbors Arizona, Colorado, and Texas have 20, 22, and 73, respectively.
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New York: 28.2%
Public transportation is an energy-efficient means of commuting that also reduces congestion from cars, and New York commuters are the most likely to use it. 28.2% NY state residents commute using public transit. The next largest share is New Jersey at 11.5%.
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North Carolina: 92.3%
Seniors can struggle to get by without a set income, but 92.3% of those 65 and older in North Carolina get Social Security, one of the highest rates in the country.
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North Dakota: 13.7%
North Dakotans face the least traffic congestion of commuters in any state, with just 13.7% commuting for 30 minutes or more alone, compared to 35% of all American commuters.
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Ohio: 55.3%
Most Ohio seniors — 55.3% — have at least some retirement income. This is one of the highest shares of any state. Most Americans 65 and over have no retirement income.
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Oklahoma: $58
The lottery can be a dangerous addiction, and many spend a major portion of their paycheck on it. This appears to be less of a problem in Oklahoma. Those who buy tickets spend $58 per person on average each year, the second lowest per person spending.
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Oregon: 6.3%
Just 6.3% of Oregon’s babies are born with low birthweight, the lowest share in the lower 48 states and well below the 8.0% of babies born with a low birth weight nationwide.
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Pennsylvania: 22.1 years
The median duration of a marriage in Pennsylvania is 22.1 years, one of the longest of any state. In the U.S., the typical marriage lasts less than 20 years.
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Rhode Island: 12.2%
Just 12.2% of Rhode Island adults do not currently have a personal doctor, the lowest share of any state. Nationally, 22.5% of U.S. adults do not have a doctor.
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South Carolina: 0.19%
Just 0.19% of South Carolina’s residents 12 and up report using heroin, the lowest share of any state.
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South Dakota: 16.5 per 10,000 people
South Dakotans have access to the most social organizations, which include civic organizations, clubs, political organizations, and more. The state has 16.5 per 10,000 residents, or roughly double the national concentration.
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Tennessee: 43.9%
In Tennessee, 43.9% of children are physically active for at least 60 minutes per week, the highest share in the country, after only Rhode Island.
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Texas: $2.01
Texas regular unleaded gas in just $2.01 per gallon, the least expensive gas of any state.
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Utah: 3.1%
The number of people working in Utah has increased by a compound rate of 3.1% per year over the last five years — the highest employment growth rate of any state.
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Vermont: 112 per 100,000 residents
Vermont residents have access to more doctors than those in any other state. There are 112 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents, compared to 76 per 100,000 Americans.
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Virginia: 8.26
From 1980 to 2014, life expectancy at birth in Virginia has improved by 8.26 years, one of the largest increases of all states, and more than a full year better than the U.S. increase of 7.22 years during the same time period.
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Washington: 25%
Washington is a major producer of hydro energy, generating about 25% of the nation’s hydroelectricity.
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West Virginia: 11.8%
Just 11.8% of West Virginia adults drink to excess, the lowest share of any state. The national excessive drinking rate among adults is 18.0%.
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Wisconsin: 103% funded
Wisconsin is one of the few states with all of its pension obligations funded. Some states are barely over 40% funded.
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Wyoming: 6.3%
Just 6.3% of Wyoming residents relied on food stamps in the past 12 months, the lowest share of all states and nearly half the U.S. share.
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