I've come across yet another intriguingly fascinating article.
What is it this time??
The Best and Worst States for a Well-Lived Life
Now, I'll be the first to admit that "well-lived life" is a very subjective phrase. The definition that one person has for this is likely going to be radically different from the next guy.
And the next guy.
And that gal also.
And that dude over there too.
You catch the drift.
Anyway, according to this particular study, here are the top 5 states where a person can have a well-lived life:
#1 Connecticut Life expectancy at birth is 80.8 years, 35.5 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $35,926 in 2010 dollars.
Massachusetts Life expectancy at birth is 80.5 years, 39 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $35,547 in 2010 dollars.
New Jersey Life expectancy at birth is 80.3 years, 35.4 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree, and median earnings are $37,230 in 2010 dollars.
District of Columbia Life expectancy at birth is 76.5 years, 50.1 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree, and median earnings are $42,058 in 2010 dollars.
Maryland Life expectancy at birth is 78.8 years, 36.1 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $38,214 in 2010 dollars.
and the bottom 5:
Alabama Life expectancy at birth is 75.4 years, 21.9 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $25,530 in 2010 dollars.
Kentucky Life expectancy at birth in Kentucky is 76.0 years, 20.5 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $25,169 in 2010 dollars.
West Virginia Life expectancy at birth in West Virginia is 75.4 years, 17.5 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $25,475 in 2010 dollars.
Arkansas Life expectancy at birth in Arkansas is 76.0 years, 19.5 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $23,992 in 2010 dollars.
#51 Mississippi Life expectancy at birth in Mississippi is 75.0 years, 19.5 percent of the population over age 25 has at least a bachelor's degree and median earnings are $24,430 in 2010 dollars.
If you're curious about Illinois.... a somewhat surprising #16.
And if you want to get really deep into statistics from this survey, head here:
You'll read things like this.....
In no state do African Americans or Latinos have well-being levels above those of whites or Asian Americans.
Wow. Think about that.
And think about how that's being used as a major "get out the vote" platform by some in American politics.
Out for now.....
Matt