Connecticut: 10th Happiest State in the Nation. Really.

Happy is not often a word associated with residents of Connecticut.  So it may come as a surprise to many that Connecticut is the 10th happiest state in the nation, according to a new analysis considering a range of variables.  Categories from public safety to suicide rate, divorce rate to adequate sleep, volunteerism to hours worked were included.

 In order to determine the happiest states in America, the financial website WalletHub compared the 50 states across three key dimensions: 1) Emotional & Physical Well-Being, 2) Work Environment and 3) Community & Environment. They evaluated those dimensions using 31 relevant metrics.

The top 10 “happiest” states were Hawaii, Utah, Minnesota, California, New Jersey, Idaho, Massachusetts, Maryland, Nebraska and Connecticut.  Among the other New England states, Vermont was ranked number 20, New Hampshire at 22, and Rhode Island at 33. 

Connecticut had the fifth lowest suicide rate in the nation, and was ranked as the fifth safest state.  Connecticut also was characterized by the 8th highest number of work hours while ranking 28th in the volunteer rate.

In addition, the state ranked 16th in the separation and divorce rate and 13th in the percentage of depressed adults.  Connecticut was in the middle of the pack in regards to the adequate-sleep rate, ranking 23rd.

"Connecticut's physical health index is among the highest in the country, as more than 86% of its residents report being in good health, which has a positive effect on their personal happiness,” said WalletHub analyst, Jill Gonzalez.  “In addition, the state has a low share of children who have had adverse experiences, a small illness and disability index, high life expectancy, and a low suicide rate.”

Connecticut’s average life expectancy, 80.8, ranked third in the nation, the state ranked 38th in economic confidence, 45th in income-growth rate, 46th in underemployment rate, and 49th in job satisfaction score. In average leisure time spent per day, Connecticut ranked 43rd.

“In terms of its work environment, Connecticut's residents have short work weeks, and almost half of its households earn more than $75,000 annually. The state is also one of the safest in the country, which contributed to its high ranking," Gonzalez added.

The data used to create the WalletHub ranking were collected from the U.S. Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Feeding America, Corporation for National and Community Service, Gallup, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, United Health Foundation, Brandwatch, TransUnion, Minnesota Population Center - University of Minnesota, The Annie E. Casey Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and WalletHub research.