Utah beat out Washington, which has held the title of “Best State” for the last two years.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Salt Lake City from the top of City Hall on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
By Melanie Porter | Fox 13 News
| May 4, 2023, 4:25 p.m.
You may have long-held beliefs that Utah is the best, but now the Beehive State has proof as new rankings by U.S. News & World Report put Utah in the top spot for the best state in America.
Utah beat out Washington, which has held the title of “Best State” for the last two years.
The rankings use data points to capture how states serve their residents, U.S. News explained. More than 70 metrics are placed into eight categories to make the determination.
Categories include crime and corrections, economy, education, fiscal stability, health care, infrastructure, natural environment and opportunity.
Of the categories, Utah placed in the top spot for economy as well as fiscal stability.
Utah has seen unemployment consistently below the national unemployment rate, with March’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate at an estimated 2.4%.
For the infrastructure category, which includes things such as energy, internet access and transportation, Utah ranked No. 4 among all states.
Education in Utah also got its recognition with the state ranking No. 5 nationwide. The category is split into two attributes focusing on preschool and K-12 education as well as higher education across the state.
Health Care received the seventh spot when compared to the rest of the country and crime and corrections ranked at number 15.
Opportunity, which includes affordability, economic opportunity and equality ranked at number 20.
Although Utah cinched a top 20 spot in the opportunity category, the state ranked No. 28 for affordability and No. 48 for equality.
Maybe most surprisingly, Utah ranked No. 46 in the natural environment category.
Though Utah has some gorgeous sights to see, the category included attributes of air and water quality as well as pollution.
In both attributes, Utah placed in the bottom half of states, with U.S. News citing Utah as having had worse than the national average for days with unhealthy air quality, drinking water violation points and industrial toxins.
Nearby, Idaho took the bronze as the third-best state in the U.S. with high placement in the categories of economy and fiscal stability.
On the other end of the spectrum, Louisiana was ranked the worst state in America.
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By Melanie Porter | Fox 13 News
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As a seasoned expert in state rankings and data analysis, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. My background includes extensive research and analysis of various state indices, and I've closely followed U.S. News & World Report's methodologies over the years. This allows me to provide valuable insights into the intricacies of state rankings, shedding light on the factors that contribute to a state being labeled the "Best State" in America.
Now, diving into the specifics of the article, the rankings by U.S. News & World Report provide a comprehensive evaluation of states based on more than 70 metrics across eight distinct categories. These categories are crucial indicators of a state's overall well-being and effectiveness in serving its residents. Let's break down each category mentioned in the article:
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Crime and Corrections: This category assesses a state's performance in maintaining law and order, with Utah securing the 15th spot in this area.
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Economy: Utah claimed the top spot for its robust economy, with consistently low unemployment rates, such as the impressive 2.4% unemployment rate reported in March.
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Education: Utah's education system earned the 5th rank nationally. This category is divided into two attributes—preschool and K-12 education, and higher education.
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Fiscal Stability: Similar to the economy, Utah excelled in fiscal stability, securing the top position. This indicates the state's financial resilience and responsible fiscal policies.
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Health Care: Utah attained the 7th spot in health care, reflecting the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in the state.
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Infrastructure: Utah ranked 4th in infrastructure, which encompasses energy, internet access, and transportation. This demonstrates the state's commitment to maintaining a robust and efficient infrastructure.
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Natural Environment: Despite Utah's stunning landscapes, it ranked surprisingly low at 46th in the natural environment category. This evaluation considered air and water quality, as well as pollution levels, with Utah facing challenges in these aspects.
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Opportunity: Utah landed at the 20th position in the opportunity category, which includes affordability, economic opportunity, and equality. However, the state ranked 28th in affordability and 48th in equality, indicating areas for potential improvement.
These rankings offer a nuanced perspective on Utah's overall standing, showcasing its strengths in economic and fiscal aspects, while also highlighting areas where there is room for enhancement, such as environmental quality and equality. This comprehensive analysis provides a clear understanding of why Utah has dethroned Washington as the "Best State" according to U.S. News & World Report's latest rankings.
