‘Opportunity State’: NH ranked No. 2 among ‘Best U.S. States’

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MANCHESTER, NH — Once again, New Hampshire is in the spotlight, ranked as one of the best places to live. This time, it’s a ranking by U.S. News and World Report, which places New Hampshire at No. 2 overall, behind Washington State, which was No. 1.

The story focuses on our First in the Nation status, and our ranking is based on NH’s boundless opportunity.


 

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Top 10 state rankings

See the full ranking list here.


Of course, they had to point out that “since 2000, most of the New Hampshire primary winners have failed to win the White House.” But hey, we do our best to guide the rest of the national voting masses. If they don’t want to listen, that’s not our fault.

The poll looked at eight categories and ranked each state, then did the math, which is how we landed at No. 2 overall. You can read more about the methodology of the ranking system here.

NH ranked as “the top state for crime and corrections,” [No. 2 for corrections and No. 3 for public safety] followed by Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and Hawaii as the top five.

The poll also recognized New Hampshire as the “Opportunity State,” noting our “high-tech” economy, which extends from Manchester and the Seacoast, to the Upper Valley, but also extending that moniker to include the opportunity New Hampshire has provided to many immigrants and refugees, who arrive here from war-torn countries or other difficult conditions, seeking a fresh start.

The ability to make a new life here is part of what puts New Hampshire atop U.S. News’ opportunity rankings, which measure factors related to affordabilityequality and economic opportunity.

The state ranks second in overall equality and in economic opportunity, and has the lowest poverty index in the nation. When it comes to race, despite its relative lack of diversity, New Hampshire comes in first place for the narrowest income gap, and second nationwide for the narrowest education gap. The state also ranks well when it comes to household income, low food insecurity and the Gini index, a statistical measure of wealth and inequality.

Gov. Chris Sununu is quoted: “Government’s foremost guarantee to its people must be that of equal opportunity. Our job is to open up as many doors of equal opportunity as possible, creating an atmosphere where families, kids, businesses, and individuals can grow and thrive.”

Read the full article here.

About this Author

Carol Robidoux

PublisherManchester Ink Link

Longtime NH journalist and publisher of ManchesterInkLink.com. Loves R&B, German beer, and the Queen City!