Published May 7, 2024
Utah ranked the No. 1 overall state by U.S. News and World Report
Utah is renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, from its expansive mountain ranges to its five national parks and iconic locations like the Great Salt Lake.
Beyond its natural beauty, Utah's appeal also lies in its community. According to Ben Blau, head of the Department of Economics and Finance at Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, the people in Utah are exceptionally welcoming, often to a remarkable degree. "The combination of the landscape and the community makes it a truly beautiful place," he notes. As one of the fastest-growing states, Utah continues to successfully support its growing population.
Recent rankings by U.S. News and World Report highlight Utah's consistent performance, remaining at the forefront based on an analysis of over 70 metrics across thousands of data points, assessing the state’s ability to meet the needs of its residents.
These are the 2024 top ten best states overall in the ranking:
- Utah.
- New Hampshire.
- Nebraska.
- Minnesota.
- Idaho.
- Iowa
- Vermont
- Washington
- Florida
- Massachusetts
“Utah has a vibrant, diverse economy and unsurpassed natural beauty, but what truly sets our state apart is our people,” said Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, per the press release. “We lead the nation in volunteering and charitable giving every year and this spirit of community leads to a collaborative approach to problem solving, an ecosystem that supports innovation, and a culture that strengthens families and individuals. I’m proud of the Beehive State and appreciate the validation that Utah really is the best state in the nation.”
Utah ranked in the top 20 of seven of the eight categories and top three in three of them:
- Second in Education
- Third in Economy
- Third in Infrastructure
Other categories involved in the ranking of the states included crime, health care, natural environment, fiscal stability, infrastructure and opportunity. See where Utah scored in all of them below!
Utah’s Top Rankings
In economic assessments, Utah has slipped from first to third place. Phil Dean, the chief economist at the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, commented to the Deseret News that being ranked third is still commendable.
Dean observed a slowdown in job growth rates, attributing some of this to the tech and financial services sectors, which are more prominent in Utah compared to the rest of the U.S. economy. These sectors, he explained, are particularly vulnerable to interest rate fluctuations. However, this trend doesn't extend to the entire economy; while some areas have seen stagnation or minor declines, other parts continue to experience robust growth.
Dean also noted the economic advantage of Utah's youthful demographic. The state is less affected by the retirement of baby boomers thanks to its diverse economy, which helps cushion the impact.
He also highlighted a unique trait in Utah’s approach to governance, emphasizing the common good over political divisions. Reflecting on an NHL event in downtown, Dean pointed out the diverse groups from across the state coming together, demonstrating Utah's capacity for collaboration despite differences, aiming for mutually beneficial outcomes.
Despite Utah having the second-highest number of national parks in the U.S., just behind California, its lowest performance was in the natural environment category, ranking 46th. This indicates a lack of priority in state policies towards environmental health initiatives, as per U.S. News.
Dean referenced a report from the Deseret News which stated that over 131.2 million Americans live in areas with poor air quality due to excessive ozone or particle pollution, with Utah being among those affected.
