How Happy are Connecticut Residents? New Report Answers that Very Question

With research proving that money can contribute to happiness up to a certain dollar amount, the personal finance website WalletHub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2015’s Most and Least Happy States in America.

To find the states that are home to the happiest Americans, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across 25 key metrics. Their data set ranges from emotional health to income levels to sports participation rates.

Connecticut ranked as the 22nd happiest state. See below for a detailed breakdown on how the state fared in several categories.

Happiest States in America

1. Utah 2. Minnesota 3. Hawaii 4. Colorado 5. North Dakota 6. Nebraska 7. Washington 8. Iowa 9. Massachusetts 10. Wyoming

Least Happy States in America

42. Michigan 43. Ohio 44 Missouri 45 Oklahoma 46 Arkansas 47 Tennessee 48 Mississippi 49 Kentucky 50 Alabama 51 West Virginia

For Connecticut, the numbers revealed some surprises. According to the study, Connecticut residents live a long time on average and have the third highest life expectancy rate in the county.

How satisfied are residents? Well that is another question.

Connecticut residents are only the 45th most generally satisfied with life, according to the survey.

Connecticut ranks high and scored well for overall physical health, 8th best, low depression rate, 14th, obesity rate, 15th, suicide rate, 5th lowest, and a low divorce rate, 20.13 percent or 14th lowest.

Connecticut received high marks for overall being a safe state. Connecticut was deemed to be the 7th safest state and we also had the 9th lowest rate of heart attacks.

On the other end of the spectrum, Connecticut ranked low for long-term unemployment rate, 42nd, having a number of attractions and things to do, 44th, binge-drinking rate, 37th, commute time, 34th, and income level $46,921 or 35th best.

Some other key findings about Connecticut include: residents overall emotional health graded at 31st best and we’re average at getting enough sleep, 25th best, and we’re pretty good at volunteering, 22nd best.

Nationwide Key Stats

• Oregon’s depression rate is twice as high as Hawaii’s.

• Montana’s suicide rate is four times as high as the District of Columbia’s.

• The District of Columbia’s long-term unemployment rate is four times as high as North Dakota’s.

• West Virginia’s heart attack rate is three times as high as Utah’s.

• Utah’s volunteerism rate is three times as high as Louisiana’s.

• The District of Columbia’s divorce rate is twice as high as Utah’s.

Does any of this surprise you? Let us know in the comments section below.

For the full report and to see where your state ranks, visit here.

Source: WalletHub