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The 5 states with the best economies in the U.S. — and the 5 worst

The 5 states with the best economies in the U.S. — and the 5 worst

WalletHub examined all 50 states plus Washington, D.C. and determined the top and bottom performers

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A power plant
A power plant
Photo: Spencer Platt (Getty Images)

If you’re in the U.S., your economic situation probably has a lot to do with where you’re located. To that end, WalletHub looked at data for all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and ranked each according to the strength of its economy. The website’s metrics included economic activity (exports, share of fast-growing firms, etc.), economic health (unemployment rate, median household income, and so on), and innovation potential (entrepreneurial activity, high-tech jobs, R&D investment, and the like).

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Click through to see which states were faring the most richly and the most poorly.

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5th best: California

5th best: California

Urban water in California
Urban water in California
Photo: Mario Anzuoni (Reuters)

California had an economic score of 59.63 out of 100. It was ranked 2nd for economic activity, 49th for economic health, and 3rd for innovation potential.

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4th best: Texas

4th best: Texas

Kayakers on the water in Texas
Kayakers on the water in Texas
Photo: Brandon Bell (Getty Images)

Louisiana had an economic score of 60.08 out of 100. It was ranked 2nd for economic activity, 7th for economic health, and 24th for innovation potential.

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3rd best: Massachusetts

3rd best: Massachusetts

People walk next to the water in Massachusetts
People walk next to the water in Massachusetts
Photo: Brian Snyder (Reuters)

Massachusetts had an economic score of 61.52 out of 100. It was ranked 11th for economic activity, 43rd for economic health, and 1st for innovation potential.

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2nd best: Utah

2nd best: Utah

A lounge chair next to water in Utah
A lounge chair next to water in Utah
Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

Utah had an economic score of 62 out of 100. It was ranked 7th for economic activity, 1st for economic health, and 10th for innovation potential.

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Best: Washington state

Best: Washington state

Planes next to water in Washington
Planes next to water in Washington
Photo: David Ryder (Getty Images)

Washington had an economic score of 71.1 out of 100. It was ranked 1st for economic activity, 15th for economic health, and 2nd for innovation potential.

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5th worst: Louisiana

5th worst: Louisiana

Pipes on the water in Louisiana
Pipes on the water in Louisiana
Photo: Justin Sullivan (Getty Images)

Louisiana had an economic score of 32.6 out of 100. It was ranked 26th for economic activity, 48th for economic health, and 49th for innovation potential.

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4th worst: Arkansas

4th worst: Arkansas

A boat on the water in Arkansas
A boat on the water in Arkansas
Photo: Scott Olson (Getty Images)

Arkansas had an economic score of 31.77 out of 100. It was ranked 40th for economic activity, 38th for economic health, and 47th for innovation potential.

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3rd worst: West Virginia

3rd worst: West Virginia

A train over a river in West Virginia
A train over a river in West Virginia
Photo: Gary Cameron (Reuters)

West Virginia had an economic score of 31.13 out of 100. It was ranked 32nd for economic activity, 45th for economic health, and 51st for innovation potential.

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2nd worst: Hawai’i

2nd worst: Hawai’i

Tourists look at water in Hawai'i
Tourists look at water in Hawai’i
Photo: Marco Garcia (Reuters)

Hawai’i had an economic score of 29.79 out of 100. It was ranked 49th for economic activity, 32nd for economic health, and 50th for innovation potential.

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Worst: Mississippi

Worst: Mississippi

A worker sprays water in Mississippi
A worker sprays water in Mississippi
Photo: Raj Mehta (Getty Images)

Mississippi had an economic score of 26.67 out of 100. It was ranked 48th for economic activity, 50th for economic health, and 45th for innovation potential.

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