The 20 Unhappiest States of 2017
Well-Being Index: 62 out of 100*
Maryland rose three spots from last year, but remained among the unhappiest 20 states. It improved substantially in the category of physical health, but its ranking for sense of purpose declined markedly from last year.
* Rankings are from the latest Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index and consider five factors: sense of purpose, social connectedness, financial security, sense of community and physical activity.
© Carlos Barria / Reuters
Well-Being Index: 61.8
Kansas’ ranking declined by seven spots from last year, with major deterioration in its rankings for social connectedness and physical activity. Its financial security ranking improved, though, from No. 30 to No. 17 overall.
Well-Being Index: 61.8
The Empire State’s sense of community and sense of purpose fall into the bottom 10. But the state’s physical activity score was 14th best.
Well-Being Index: 61.8
Nevada’s sense of community ranked No. 47, pulling down the state’s overall score. The state’s best factor was physical health at No. 26 overall.
Well-Being Index: 61.7
The state ranked among the bottom 10 for sense of purpose and sense of community, but had top 20 scores for social connectedness (No. 19) and physical health (No. 13).
Well-Being Index: 61.7
Missouri improved by nine spots last year, but its mediocre scores for all five factors couldn’t get the state out of the bottom 20.
Well-Being Index: 61.6
The Land of Lincoln comes in among the bottom 10 for sense of community, its worst-performing factor. The state improved by two places from its overall ranking last year.
Well-Being Index: 61.5
Tennessee slipped one spot from last year. Its lowest-ranking factor was physical health, which came in at No. 43.
Well-Being Index: 61.4
Michigan’s ranking didn’t budge from last year. The state’s sense of purpose was its lowest-ranking factor at No. 42.
Well-Being Index: 61.4
Falling 13 spots from last year, Delaware saw its sense of purpose ranking plummet from No. 1 to No. 48 in this year’s list. Its sense of community also ranked among the bottom 10.
Well-Being Index: 61.3
Mississippi is second-worst for financial stability and in the bottom 10 for physical health. But it is buoyed by its residents’ sense of purpose, which ranked No. 3 overall.
Well-Being Index: 61
The 26th happiest state last year, Rhode Island saw huge decreases in its scores for social connectedness (from No. 14 to dead last) and financial security (from No. 19 to No. 43). Sense of community also came in at No. 50. Its only bright spot is physical health, which ranked No. 18.
Well-Being Index: 61
The Bayou State comes in among the bottom 10 for financial security, sense of community and physical health.
Well-Being Index: 61
Last year, Alabama was the 28th happiest state in the nation. But major deterioration in its survey scores for social connectedness (from No. 12 to No. 43) and declines in sense of community and purpose landed the state among the unhappiest in the country this year.
Well-Being Index: 60.9
Ohio improved two places year over year, but the Buckeye State still falls into the bottom 10 states for sense of purpose and physical health.
Well-Being Index: 60.8
Arkansas slipped two spots from last year and is in the bottom 10 for social connectedness, financial security and physical health.
Well-Being Index: 60.5
Falling one spot from last year, the Hoosier State ranks in the bottom 10 for sense of purpose and physical activity, and is second-worst for social fulfillment.
Well-Being Index: 60.5
For the second year in a row, Oklahoma is the third unhappiest state. The Sooner State ranks among the bottom 10 for social connectedness, financial security and physical health.
Well-Being Index: 60.5
The Bluegrass State was the second unhappiest state in the nation for eighth year in a row. It ranks in the bottom 10 for sense of purpose, social connectedness and physical health. Its best ranking was for sense of community, at No. 29.
Well-Being Index: 58.9
For the eighth straight year, West Virginia is the unhappiest state in the country. The state ranked dead last for sense of purpose, financial stability and physical health. It had the second-worst showing for sense of community.