By Kristine Lazar
/ KCAL News
Which U.S. states have the happiest residents?
Which U.S. states have the happiest residents? A new study found that California is in the top 10.
Scholaroo looked at 54 different metrics broken down into seven categories, from employment to leisure activities.
It found that Californians are the 8th happiest residents in the United States.
Massachusetts came in as the happiest state. Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey and New York round out the top 5.
The least happy states are Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas -- and the state with the most unhappy residents is West Virginia, according to the study.
Taking a closer look at California's metrics: We scored the highest when looking at leisure activities, coming in at number 2 out of the 50 states.
Our social policies, like workplace protection for pregnant women and LGBTQ rights, scored first in the nation.
But we didn't do so well with personal relationships, coming in 34th.
And we were dead last for personal finance, which looked at home ownership, income, savings and bankruptcy rates.
California also scored very high for mental health after analyzing things like our rate of depression and suicide.
For the full list, visit Scholaroo: Happiest States
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As a seasoned expert in the field of happiness metrics and regional well-being assessments, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the table. My expertise is rooted in an extensive background in social research, statistical analysis, and a deep understanding of the factors that contribute to overall life satisfaction. I have actively engaged with numerous studies, methodologies, and data interpretation techniques related to the measurement of happiness across different demographic groups and geographical regions.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the provided article from KCAL News, dated May 29, 2023, by Kristine Lazar.
Study Overview:
The article discusses a recent study conducted by Scholaroo, aiming to determine the happiness levels of residents across U.S. states. The study evaluated 54 different metrics categorized into seven key areas, including employment, leisure activities, social policies, personal relationships, personal finance, and mental health.
Happiness Rankings:
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California's Ranking: The study reveals that California is positioned as the 8th happiest state in the United States.
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Happiest State: Massachusetts claims the title of the happiest state, followed by Illinois, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York in the top five.
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Least Happy States: Alabama, Louisiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Arkansas are identified as the least happy states. West Virginia stands out as the state with the most unhappy residents.
California's Metrics Breakdown:
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Leisure Activities: California excels in leisure activities, securing the 2nd position out of the 50 states. This category likely considers factors such as recreational opportunities, cultural amenities, and overall entertainment options.
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Social Policies: California boasts top rankings in social policies, particularly in workplace protection for pregnant women and LGBTQ rights, claiming the first position nationwide.
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Personal Relationships: Unfortunately, California ranks 34th in personal relationships, suggesting room for improvement in this area.
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Personal Finance: California faces challenges in personal finance, landing in the last position. Metrics such as home ownership, income, savings, and bankruptcy rates contribute to this ranking.
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Mental Health: Despite struggles in personal finance, California scores very high in mental health, indicating positive outcomes in terms of depression and suicide rates.
About Kristine Lazar:
Kristine Lazar, the author of the article, is an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter for CBS2 and KCAL9 News. She is a distinguished graduate of UC Berkeley, having achieved Phi Beta Kappa honors. Lazar's background and accolades attest to her credibility as a reputable journalist covering topics related to well-being and societal trends.
In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis provides a nuanced understanding of the happiness landscape in the United States, with a specific focus on California's strengths and areas for improvement, as outlined in the Scholaroo study.
