US News & World Report has published their analysis of the best states in the USA with rankings for healthcare delivery, education, overall economy among other indicators of a state’s well being.
U.S. News and McKinsey used the most recent data available as of Dec. 22, 2016. This report is updated annually.
This makes for an interesting study. Here’s the link to the entire report, US News Best States.
The following is from the home page which explains the states’ rankings, with the list of the top 10 states.
Some states shine in health care. Some soar in education. Some excel in both – or in much more. The Best States ranking of U.S. states draws on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens. In addition to health care and education, the metrics take into account a state’s economy, the opportunity it offers people, its roads, bridges, internet and infrastructure, its public safety and the integrity and health of state government.
More weight was accorded to some state measures than others, based on a survey of what matters most to people. Health care and education were weighted most heavily. Then came the opportunity states offer their citizens, their crime & corrections and infrastructure. State economies followed closely in weighting, followed by measures of government administration. This explains why Massachusetts, ranking No. 1 in education and No. 2 in health care, occupies the overall No. 1 spot in the Best States rankings. And it explains why New Hampshire, ranking No. 1 in opportunity for its citizens, ranks No. 2 overall in the Best States rankings.
| Overall | State | Health Care | Education | Crime & Corrections | Infrastructure | Opportunity | Economy | Government |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 |  Massachusetts |
2 | 1 | 7 | 19 | 16 | 5 | 16 |
| #2 |  New Hampshire |
4 | 3 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 13 | 30 |
| #3 |  Minnesota |
3 | 11 | 17 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 24 |
| #4 |  North Dakota |
19 | 16 | 15 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
| #5 |  Washington |
9 | 7 | 25 | 2 | 17 | 11 | 8 |
| #6 |  Iowa |
5 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 6 | 30 | 10 |
| #7 |  Utah |
15 | 9 | 30 | 3 | 23 | 4 | 3 |
| #8 |  Maryland |
14 | 5 | 22 | 14 | 5 | 21 | 18 |
| #9 |  Colorado |
11 | 18 | 26 | 7 | 31 | 1 | 13 |
| #10 |  Vermont |
6 | 15 | 1 | 28 | 10 | 33 | 21 |
Of the these top 10 states, North Dakota and Utah are solidly in the republican camp. Colorado is a purple state where both republican and democratic candidates win elections. The remaining 7 range from leaning democratic to being solidly in the democratic camp.
Gronda Morin 
Gronda, this ties into a news report I read last month that the metro areas are driving the economic prosperity in the US and that not everyone is benefitting from the economy. I go back to the premise of the novels and movie “The Hunger Games.” The rural areas got so depleted, there were two cultures – cities and these communities. We must do more to help provide opportunity in these more rural settings – expanding Medicaid is one thing that would help, asset based community development is another, retraining and education is a third. Good post. Keith
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Dear Keith,
In business, the true winners are not just those companies which focus almost exclusively on the bottom line. There has to be a balance among treating employees well, improving products/ and or services. Those companies that ignore this reality have a horrible track record.
This is also the case when states solely consider its economy. The problem with this is that companies have valued employees who want to live in areas that offer their children a great education, that are safe from crime, etc.
Hugs, Gronda
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True. Amazon is being wooed for a second US headquarters. Incentives are a factor, but higher education feeders and quality of life are key.
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I will keep your rankings in mind when I visit these states on our next road trip. I would like to see firsthand evidence for myself.
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Dear Usfman,
I like road trips as well. The states that I am most familiar with are Minnesota and Colorado. My son lives in Denver and I have lived in Minnesota and Maryland. I have visited North Carolina in numerous occasions.
I would like to take a trip to Vermont. Because I worked for the airlines, I like to take trips to different places.
Hugs, Gronda
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