Special Report

The Best Thing About Every State

Kansas
Best thing: Wheat production

Kansas produces more wheat than any other state — 338 million bushels of wheat, which is about 27 million more bushels than North Dakota, the second largest producer of wheat.

Source: sonsam / Getty Images

Kentucky
Best thing: Highest water fluoridation

Nearly all of the tap water in Kentucky — 99.9% — has fluoride in it. Nationwide, just 74% of water is fluoridated. Fluoride in water has been shown to help prevent tooth decay.

Source: WendellandCarolyn / Getty Images

Louisiana
Best thing: Cheapest electricity

Louisiana has the least expensive electricity in the country, costing an average of just 7.71 cents per kilowatt-hour. For comparison, electricity costs 10.53 cents per kWh nationwide.

Source: sara_winter / Getty Images

Maine
Best thing: Lowest crime rate

Maine has the lowest violent crime rate in the country, at just 125.8 incidents per 100,000 residents. The state with the next lowest rate is Vermont, at 128.8 violent crimes per 100,000. The national average is 386 per 100,000.

Source: qingwa / Getty Images

Maryland
Best thing: Richest households

Maryland has the wealthiest households in the country. The state’s median household income of $83,076 in 2018 was over $21,000 higher than the national median.

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