Utah is the third-best state in America to live in, and has the best economy. That’s according to U.S News & World Report, which ranks Washington as the best state in which to live in its annual report.
“These rankings confirm what Utahns have known for years — Utah is the best state in the nation for economic opportunity, for education and for quality of life,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox in a statement. “I’m extremely proud of this recognition and look forward to an even more prosperous 2021 for all Utahns.”
Breaking down the factors in the analysis of the states’ economies, Utah is No. 2 in employment, No. 3 in growth and No. 8 in business environment.
According to U.S. News, the rankings are based on more than 70 metrics, tens of thousands of data points and surveys with more than 26,000 people who were asked about their levels of satisfaction with government services and how state governments should focus resources.
“The 2021 Best States report combines data-driven journalism and rankings to help citizens, business leaders and policymakers see where states stack up on key benchmarks — so that states can learn from each other and target areas for improvement,’ said Kim Castro, editor and chief content officer at U.S. News.
Utah’s individual rankings include:
Economy • No. 1
Infrastructure • No. 5
Fiscal stability • No. 5
Crime and corrections • No. 8
Education • No. 10
Health care • No. 11
Opportunity • No. 30
Natural Environment • No. 47
According Sara Clarke, U.S. News & World Report’s assistant managing editor of Best States, Utah’s low ranking on natural environment is based on two subcategories — air and water quality (Utah ranks No. 43) and pollution (No. 46). And within those subcategories, the state is No. 36 for drinking water quality, No. 45 for air quality, and No. 46 for low pollution health risk.
The data the magazine used to compile its rankings came “predominantly … from a period predating the COVID-19 pandemic and were not affected by the pandemic’s impact on states.” So it’s more than a year old.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and evolving social climate of the past year have made a host of critical issues top of mind for Americans, from access to adequate health care and quality education to economic stability and public safety,” Castro said.
State rankings
1. Washington
2. Minnesota
3. Utah
4. New Hampshire
5. Idaho
6. Nebraska
7. Virginia
8. Wisconsin
9. Massachusetts
10. Florida
11. Vermont
12. Iowa
13. North Carolina
14. North Dakota
15. South Dakota
16. Colorado
17. Maryland
18. Georgia
19. New Jersey
20. Connecticut
21. New York
22. Oregon
23. Delaware
24. California
25. Hawaii
26. Kansas
27. Maine
28. Missouri
29. Tennessee
30. Illinois
31. Texas
32. Indiana
33. Montana
34. Rhode Island
35. Wyoming
36. Ohio
37. Nevada
38. Michigan
39. Arizona
40. Pennsylvania
41. Kentucky
42. South Carolina
43. Oklahoma
44. Arkansas
45. Alaska
46. Alabama
47. West Virginia
48. New Mexico
49. Mississippi
50. Louisiana
Follow @ScottDPierce