18 Unhappiest States in the US Where People Are Struggling the Most
People aspire to be happy every single day. What do you think will make you happy today?
If you look at WalletHub’s research about the happiest states in America, three key indicators were identified to influence people’s happiness: emotional and physical well-being, work environment, and community and environment.
From there, the research ranks the 50 states based on these factors, naming Hawaii and Maryland as two of the happiest states. What about the unhappiest ones? Here’s a list of the states that rank the lowest.
1. Louisiana
Louisiana ranks as the most unhappy state in America, with a total score of 32.97. It ranks 49th in both emotional and physical well-being and work environment. The state ranks as least safe, ranks 48th with the highest divorce rates, and is the state with the fifth-highest work hours.
While known for their good food and music festivals, residents in Louisiana admit to “always” or “usually” feeling lonely. Worse, the feeling of loneliness leads to other health issues, including mental illness and health complications.
2. Arkansas
Despite ranking 25th in community and environment, Arkansas falls to the 49th spot. That’s mainly because of its 43rd spot in the work environment and 50th in emotional and physical well-being. The state has a total score of 37.09, making it the second unhappiest state in the United States.
Arkansas has the fourth-highest rate of adult depression in the county, the second-lowest sports participation rate, and the third-lowest safety rating in the country. A recent report shows that 17.5% of the state’s residents claimed to have experienced bad physical health for 14 or more days, which is the second-lowest in the country. The physical distress of residents in Arkansas is evident.
3. West Virginia
With a total score of 38.09, West Virginia followed Arkansas and got the 48th spot in the list of the happiest states in America. The state ranks last in the work environment and 47th in its residents’ emotional and physical well-being.
West Virginia has been called one of the worst states to work in when taking into account work fatality rates and the percentage of employed individuals represented by unions. That shows in their third-highest ranking of adult depression and second-lowest sleep rate in the entire country.
4. Tennessee
Tennessee falls as the fourth unhappiest state in the United States, with a total score of 40.32. The state only tanked in emotional and physical well-being, ranking 46th out of 50. It was 24th in the work environment and 34th in the community and environment.
News Channel 5 Nashville revealed that Tennessee is the state with the third-highest depression rates. Davidson and Williamson County are considered to have slightly lower depression rates than the rest of the state.
5. New Mexico
New Mexico, with a total score of 40.82, has an overall rank of 46th in the list of the happiest states in the United States. While the state has an average performance in community and environment, its work environment (47th) and emotional and physical well-being (45th) need to be focused on.
A report revealed that 19% of teenagers in New Mexico admit to experiencing at least 1 depressive episode last year. The state was even named the 10th worst state in the country when it comes to mental health.
6. Alaska
Ranking 45th in the happiest states in the U.S. list, Alaska garnered a total score of 41.44. The state ranks 33rd in emotional and physical well-being and 44th and 48th in community and environment and work environment, respectively.
Alaska News reported that the state, unfortunately, tops the list of young people fatality due to suicide. In addition to that, 80% of the young people in Alaska suffer from mental illness and just go on without help. Financial stress can be a contributing factor here, as people in Alaska work the most hours but see the lowest income growth nationwide.
7. Alabama
With a total score of 41.67, Alabama has a 44th overall ranking. The state ranks 42nd both in emotional and physical well-being and community and environment. In the work environment, it got the 33rd spot.
Alabama ranks thirds-lowest in terms of adequate sleep rate and third-highest in low-term unemployment rate, which can be considered contributing factors. On top of that, 41% of adults claim to sought medical treatment for mental health.
8. Oklahoma
Oklahoma, 43rd in the overall ranking, garnered a total score of 41.74. The state performed splendidly in community and environment, ranking 5th. However, it tanked in emotional and physical well-being, ranking 48th, and the work environment at 36th.
In the state, 1 in 5 residents suffer from mental illness every year, which leaves Oklahoma with the fifth-highest rate of adult depression nationwide. The high percentage of residents with mental health issues is one of the reasons it ranks low.
9. Mississippi
Ranking 42nd with a total score of 41.83, Mississippi got a spot in the top unhappiest states in the United States. The state got the 41st spot in emotional and physical well-being, 40th in work environment, and 33rd in community and environment.
Roughly 2 in 5 residents in Mississippi admit to experiencing anxiety and depression, which is higher than the national average. On top of the high depression rate, the state ranks second-last in terms of safety and has the fourth-highest divorce rates nationwide.
10. Kentucky
Kentucky got a total score of 42.88, with an overall ranking of 41 out of the 50 states. The state performed well in community and environment (16th). However, it tanked both emotional and physical well-being (44th) and work environment (46th).
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1 in 3 adults in Kentucky have disability. It explains why the state has a low ranking in the emotional and physical well-being aspect.
11. Ohio
With a total score of 43.55, Ohio ranks 40 out of 50 in the happiest states in America. It got the 16th place in community and environment. However, the state fell short in work environment (35th) and emotional and physical well-being (40th).
In Ohio, nearly 1 in 4 residents experience a mental health issue. Besides that they rank fifth-lowest in terms of sleep rates, which further explains their ranking on the list.
12. Oregon
Oregon ranks 39th on the list of the happiest states in the U.S., with a total score of 44.95. This is not a placement that I’d expect, but it got the 35th spot for emotional and physical well-being, 29th for work environment, and 43rd for community and environment.
Oregon has the most polluted or impaired rivers and streams nationwide, which threaten aquatic life. It also affects the lives of its residents, since 95% of these waterways can’t even be used for drinking.
13. Texas
Texas, with a total score of 45.56, got the 38th spot on the list. While it tanked the community and environment aspect, getting the 43rd spot, the state did well enough with emotional and physical well-being and work environment, getting the 23rd and 29th spot respectively.
Texas is the fourth-unsafest state in the country. In Texas, the air has become unhealthy due to the combination of hot weather and several pollutants, including vehicles and factories. In fact, 70% of the smog in the state is caused by these pollutants. Unfortunately, the state fails to hold polluters accountable for their contribution to pollution.
14. Nevada
Nevada is another state that qualifies in the unhappiest states ranking, with a total score of 45.88 and an overall rank of 37. The state ranks 20th in community and environment, 36th in emotional and physical well-being, and 44th in work environment.
According to a report, 59% of workers in Las Vegas tie their pay and benefits to their work satisfaction. With many of the workers in Nevada earning low wages, it’s understandable that they are struggling to provide economic security to their families, adding to their dissatisfaction.
15. Indiana
With a total score of 45.92, Indiana got the 36th spot on the happiest states in America list. It performed well enough in community and environment (23rd) but not in emotional and physical well-being (38th) and work environment (41st).
The annual pay growth in Indiana was recorded to be 5.2%, which is lagging behind the 6.2% national median. The low annual pay growth in the state contributes to the negative outlook of workers in Indiana.
16. Colorado
Colorado is one of the states that ranks low in the happiest states in the United States list, garnering a total score of 46.29 and ranking 35th overall. It may have ranked 26th in the work environment and 29th in emotional and physical well-being, however, it got the 48th spot in community and environment.
Colorado’s Denver houses the most polluted neighborhood in the United States, which is the Elyria-Swansea. The problem persists today, which is why the state’s efforts to solve environmental injustices may be key to elevating its ranks in the community and environmental aspects.
17. Wyoming
Wyoming ranks 34th, with a total score of 47.07. While the state performed well in community and environment, getting the 15th spot, it did not do so well in the work environment and emotional and physical well-being, where it ranks 37th and 39th, respectively.
Wyoming has the second-highest work hours and second-lowest income growth, which may contribute to their dissatisfaction.
18. Montana
Montana, with a total score of 48.12, is 33rd in its overall rank in the list of the happiest states in America. The state did well in the aspects of work environment (6th) and community and environment (12th). However, it failed in emotional and physical well-being (43rd).
Approximately 35.1% of adults in Montana experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. In fact, 17.9% of them didn’t get the needed therapy and counseling. Of all the states, Montana unfortunately ranks the highest in terms of suicide rates.
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