This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utahns worry about their economic status and are not overjoyed with what they do each day, but that said, Utah still ranked among the top states in overall well-being.
That's because residents have strong families and friendships, feel pride in their community and are physically healthy.
Ever since 2008, Gallup-Healthways has tracked each state's well-being through an intensive year-long survey.
The results of 2014 are out and Utah and its Western neighbors fared particularly well.
Here are the top 10:
1. Alaska
2. Hawaii
3. South Dakota
4. Wyoming
5. Montana
6. Colorado
7. Nebraska
8. Utah
9. New Mexico
10. Texas
The states on the other end of the spectrum tended to be in the Midwest and the South, where people appear to be broadly pessimistic. West Virginia ranks last.
The rolling survey, where 500 people are contacted each day, breaks down the questions into these five categories:
Purpose — If people like their jobs and are motivated to achieve their goals. (Utah ranked 23rd).
Social — Whether they believe they have supportive relationships and love in their lives. (Utah 9th).
Financial — If they are able to manage their finances to reduce stress. (Utah 33rd).
Community — How much they like where they live and whether they feel safe. (Utah 7th).
Physical — Whether they have good health and enough energy to complete their daily tasks. (Utah 15th).
A more detailed evaluation of the Beehive State is not yet out, but Utah has seen its ranking in this survey bounce around over the years. The state came in first in the inaugural survey in 2008 and got its lowest score in 2013 when it came in 12th.