The 10 Happiest States In America

For the fourth straight year, Hawaii has earned the title of happiest state in America, according to the annual Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index. 

The Index looks at six categories: life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, healthy behaviors, and physical health (we've highlighted a few in the following slides).

In general, state-level scores remained consistent with the past five years of data. Western and Midwestern states ranked high on the wellbeing index, and Southern states ranking near the bottom, with West Virginia coming in last.

#10 Massachusetts

2011 rank: #14

Life Evaluation: #7

Emotional Health: #43

Physical Health: #22

Source: Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index. Green represents states in the top quintile, blue is second, purple is third, orange is fourth, and red is fifth (bottom).

Gallup's rankings are based on daily interviews with more than 350,000 American adults from January to December 2012.

#9 Iowa

2011 rank: #16

Life Evaluation: #27

Emotional Health:#11

Physical Health: #4

Source: Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index. Green represents states in the top quintile, blue is second, purple is third, orange is fourth, and red is fifth (bottom).

Gallup's rankings are based on daily interviews with more than 350,000 American adults from January to December 2012.

#8 New Hampshire

2011 rank: #9

Life Evaluation: #13

Emotional Health: #24

Physical Health: #20

Source: Gallup Healthways Well-Being Index. Green represents states in the top quintile, blue is second, purple is third, orange is fourth, and red is fifth (bottom).

Gallup's rankings are based on daily interviews with more than 350,000 American adults from January to December 2012.

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