Iowa is One of the Happiest States in America

The list of 2017's Happiest States in America has been released, and, once again, Iowa ranks very high on the list!

Growing up in Michigan, it has always bugged me a little bit when people hate on us Midwesterners. We have plenty of wonderful places to live, and this study proves it! The website WalletHub does an annual list ranking the happiest (and unhappiest) states in the U.S. How do they determine who is "happiest?" Here's their explanation:

"In this study, WalletHub’s analysts drew upon the findings of “happiness” research to determine which environmental factors are linked to a person’s overall well-being and satisfaction with life. Previous studies have found that good economic, emotional, physical and social health are all key to a well-balanced and fulfilled life."

WalletHub looked at 28 different "key metrics" and separated their study into three different categories: Emotional & Physical Well-Being, Work Environment, and Community & Environment.

So where did Iowa fall on the list? We broke the top 10, coming in at number eight! We ranked 12th in the "Emotional & Physical Well-Being" category, 8th in the "Work Environment" category, and 7th in the "Community & Environment" category. We also came in 3rd place for "Lowest Long-Term Unemployment Rate!"

Here are the top 5 "happiest" states: