↯ 10 Most Miserable States in U.S. (1 Viewer)

[BigSteelThrill]

10. Louisiana

• Well-being index score: 64.9

Life expectancy: 75.7 years (4th lowest)

9. Oklahoma

• Well-being index score: 64.7

• Life expectancy: 75.7 years (4th lowest)

8. Missouri

• Well-being index score: 64.5
• Life expectancy: 77.5 years (11th lowest)

7. Tennessee

• Well-being index score: 64.3
• Life expectancy: 76.3 years (8th lowest)

6. Arkansas

• Well-being index score: 64.3
• Life expectancy: 76.0 years (tied-6th lowest)

5. Ohio

• Well-being index score: 64.2
• Life expectancy: 77.8 years (13th lowest)

4. Alabama

• Well-being index score: 64.1
• Life expectancy: 75.4 years (tied-2nd lowest)

3. Mississippi

• Well-being index score: 63.7
• Life expectancy: 75.0 years (the lowest)

2. Kentucky

• Well-being index score: 63.0
• Life expectancy: 76.0 years (tied-6th lowest)

1. West Virginia (has been in the worst spot for five consecutive years now.)

• Well-being index score: 61.4
• Life expectancy: 75.4 years (tied-2nd lowest)

http://homes.yahoo.com/photos/the-nation-s-most-miserable-states-1394413543-slideshow/

The Gallup-Healthways survey asked 176,000 respondents a large range of questions.

 

[Todd Andrews]

KooK States.

 

[Tom Servo]

• 5. Ohio
  
  • Well-being index score: 64.2
  
  • Life expectancy: 77.8 years (13th lowest)
  

Well, that's what have duhOSU in your state will do to you...

 

[dgreen]

Such a shame about WV. Should be a much better state than it is. It should be an outdoor vacation destination state with all the mountains and rivers and its proximity to large population centers surrounding the state. Also, tons of old historic cities that could be good vacation towns if they weren't totally run down and vacant.

 

[drunken slob]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

 

[NutterButter]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

Agreed. West Viriginia is one of the biggest leeches of federal dollars. Its time they start paying their own way.

 

[drunken slob]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

Agreed. West Viriginia is one of the biggest leeches of federal dollars. Its time they start paying their own way.

To late pal

 

[Apple Jack]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

Fortunately, you have the deep south states to validate that position.

 

[igbomb]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I find it amusing that you actually put enough credence in this silly list to call out West Virginia for ending up at the worst spot yet conveniently ignore the preponderance of red states on the rest of the list. So if West Virginia is an example of liberal policies run amok then the rest of those states, by your logic, MUST be examples of conservative policies run amok. Agree?

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I find it amusing that you actually put enough credence in this silly list to call out West Virginia for ending up at the worst spot yet conveniently ignore the preponderance of red states on the rest of the list. So if West Virginia is an example of liberal policies run amok then the rest of those states, by your logic, MUST be examples of conservative policies run amok. Agree?

Most of the problems with West Virginia stem from the state being raped of resources by outside companies and political cronyism.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I dont think the Dem Presidential candidate carried a single one of the 55 counties in WV last time round.

Hell, a Texas inmate took away 41% from the President in the primary.

 

[drunken slob]

Uh, no.

I don't live in those places. I just know what I've seen my whole life, considering I live in WV.

As for the, "silly," characterization of the list, don't disagree. Say what you want though, West Virginia still comes in at the top of these misery type lists all the time.

 

[drunken slob]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I dont think the Dem Presidential candidate carried a single one of the 55 counties in WV last time round.

Hell, a Texas inmate took away 41% from the President in the primary.

That doesn't mean anything, the city of Philadelphia cancels out our whole state in presidential elections. IIRC, Romney didn't get a single vote in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas in 2012.

Not only that, but the last three dem presidential candidates weren't coal friendly. Say what you want, take food off people's table, they react. Whether or not you agree, don't make a hill of beans.

Most important, as you well know, governors and control of the legislature make the difference. The legislature here has been controlled by unions and their democrat puppets for over a half century.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

WV is run like a colonial holding. People from outside the state have raped it for generations -- with the help of fully purchased state and local government (both parties). And the profits follow the natural resources across the borders.

 

[Yankee23Fan]

Without letting politics get in the way, it's interesting how all the states in the bottom 10 border each other. It's kinda a mix of the rust belt and bible belt with some exceptions. But the survey looks into lifestyle and Americans’ perceptions on topics such as physical and emotional health, healthy behaviors, work environment, social and community factors, financial security, and access to necessities such as food, shelter and healthcare.

In that it kinda makes sense that more rural states would be towards the bottom generally speaking - although Montana is in the top 5 for best so it's a rough generalization. States with large city centers of culture are usually higher and states with higher median incomes are higher as well for the most part.

If you add the next lowest 10 to the list for perception purposes you basically have the entire rust belt, entire bible belt and the deep south all in the bottom 20 with only New Mexico and Wyoming as outliers in that group. Interesting results.

 

[BigSteelThrill]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I dont think the Dem Presidential candidate carried a single one of the 55 counties in WV last time round.

Hell, a Texas inmate took away 41% from the President in the primary.

That doesn't mean anything, the city of Philadelphia cancels out our whole state in presidential elections. IIRC, Romney didn't get a single vote in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas in 2012.

Not only that, but the last three dem presidential candidates weren't coal friendly. Say what you want, take food off people's table, they react. Whether or not you agree, don't make a hill of beans.

Most important, as you well know, governors and control of the legislature make the difference. The legislature here has been controlled by unions and their democrat puppets for over a half century.

Your recollection is a bit off. Listening to breitbart maybe?

Philadelphia County 98.6% Reporting

B. Obama (i) Dem 85.2% 557,024

M. Romney GOP 14.1% 91,840

G. Johnson Lib 0.4% 2,721

J. Stein Grn 0.3% 2,013

I dont think Romney got shut out in a single Pennsylvania county.

http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/pennsylvania/

 

[BigJohn]

• 5. Ohio
  
  • Well-being index score: 64.2
  
  • Life expectancy: 77.8 years (13th lowest)
  

Well, that's what have duhOSU in your state will do to you...

eh?

 

[drunken slob]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I dont think the Dem Presidential candidate carried a single one of the 55 counties in WV last time round.

Hell, a Texas inmate took away 41% from the President in the primary.

That doesn't mean anything, the city of Philadelphia cancels out our whole state in presidential elections. IIRC, Romney didn't get a single vote in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas in 2012.

Not only that, but the last three dem presidential candidates weren't coal friendly. Say what you want, take food off people's table, they react. Whether or not you agree, don't make a hill of beans.

Most important, as you well know, governors and control of the legislature make the difference. The legislature here has been controlled by unions and their democrat puppets for over a half century.

Your recollection is a bit off. Listening to breitbart maybe?

Philadelphia County 98.6% Reporting

B. Obama (i) Dem 85.2% 557,024

M. Romney GOP 14.1% 91,840

G. Johnson Lib 0.4% 2,721

J. Stein Grn 0.3% 2,013

I dont think Romney got shut out in a single Pennsylvania county.

http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/pennsylvania/

Okay. So Philadelphia county cancelled out just 1/3 of the whole state.

My point is still the same, our five electoral votes don't amount to squat in presidential elections.

And by the way, that wasn't a republican that let a felon on the ballot. It was a former news anchor and college mascot.

 

[Rayderr]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

 

[drunken slob]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

Not really. I just always find it humorous that this list gets put up, then slurs start. First it's the conservative states are Kooks, then you'll have the comments about the deep south, and finally, the funny comments on how people from WV only have sex with family members.

Just want to get out in front of the usual suspects that like to mock the very poor people that they stand up for in other treads.

 

[Don Quixote]

Such a shame about WV. Should be a much better state than it is. It should be an outdoor vacation destination state with all the mountains and rivers and its proximity to large population centers surrounding the state. Also, tons of old historic cities that could be good vacation towns if they weren't totally run down and vacant.

Yep. They do have a few nice resorts, but there could be a lot more.

 

[The Z Machine]

This list is really an indicator of poverty (rural or rust) more than anything else.

 

[Brony]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

Not really. I just always find it humorous that this list gets put up, then slurs start. First it's the conservative states are Kooks, then you'll have the comments about the deep south, and finally, the funny comments on how people from WV only have sex with family members.

Just want to get out in front of the usual suspects that like to mock the very poor people that they stand up for in other treads.

says the first jack hole to post a political comment in the thread.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

 

[Rayderr]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

Not really. I just always find it humorous that this list gets put up, then slurs start. First it's the conservative states are Kooks, then you'll have the comments about the deep south, and finally, the funny comments on how people from WV only have sex with family members.

Just want to get out in front of the usual suspects that like to mock the very poor people that they stand up for in other treads.

says the first jack hole to post a political comment in the thread.

Sorry, that was Todd Andrews according to our transcripts.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

KooKism is apolitical.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

KooKism is apolitical.

You are the worst poster on these boards. And we all know what an accomplishment that is.

 

[Todd Andrews]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

KooKism is apolitical.

You are the worst poster on these boards. And we all know what an accomplishment that is.

For all of my beautiful vigorous efforts, I didnt come very close to winning that honor. Thank you for your input though.

 

[Andy Dufresne]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

KooKism is apolitical.

You are the worst poster on these boards. And we all know what an accomplishment that is.

For all of my beautiful vigorous efforts, I didnt come very close to winning that honor. Thank you for your input though.

Yeah, well...sanity is not statistical.

 

[Ned Ryerson]

This list is really an indicator of poverty (rural or rust) more than anything else.

Bottom 10 in poverty rate (Tennessee and Kentucky are 11 and 12)

10. South Carolina

9. Arizona

8. West Virginia

7. Oklahoma

6. Arkansas

5. Texas

4. Alabama

3. New Mexico

2. Louisiana

1. Mississippi

6 of 10 states in common

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_poverty_rate

Only outliers are Missouri which is 26, and Ohio which is 21

 

[Todd Andrews]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

KooKism is apolitical.

You are the worst poster on these boards. And we all know what an accomplishment that is.

For all of my beautiful vigorous efforts, I didnt come very close to winning that honor. Thank you for your input though.

Yeah, well...sanity is not statistical.

Your defensiveness is a sign of latent KooKism.

 

[Rayderr]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

This board has become like the comments section on your typical CNN article. Took until post 2 in this thread.

My comment wasnt about politics.

Uh, okay.

KooKism is apolitical.

Link to you using the term "KooK" for a democrat on this board?

 

[RCon]

My comment wasnt about politics.

 

[The Z Machine]

This list is really an indicator of poverty (rural or rust) more than anything else.

Bottom 10 in poverty rate (Tennessee and Kentucky are 11 and 12)

10. South Carolina

9. Arizona

8. West Virginia

7. Oklahoma

6. Arkansas

5. Texas

4. Alabama

3. New Mexico

2. Louisiana

1. Mississippi

6 of 10 states in common

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_poverty_rate

Only outliers are Missouri which is 26, and Ohio which is 21

Not far off. Don't get me wrong, I think poverty is probably the #1 driver in terms of making a place terrible, so this isn't surprising.

 

[dickey moe]

Hey, is this where we take a "list" that has nothing to do with politics and turn it into a GOP vs. Dem debate?

What do you expect given the source?

 

[Joe Summer]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I think the real irony is that West Virginia is one of the only Democrat-led states on that list.

 

[cstu]

Ironic that West Virginia is yet again the leader in a survey of this nature.

This state has been controlled by the democrats and unions for nearly a century. Hell, the money wasted by Robert Byrd alone should make this dump a powerhouse.

West Virginia is a real-life embodiment of the welfare state, and it's a failure.

I think the real irony is that West Virginia is one of the only Democrat-led states on that list.

Real democats:

Mr. Obama lost all 55 of West Virginia’s counties in 2012

 

[Rayderr]

9 out of 10 states are in the top half of when it comes to African American population by percentage. Clearly, they're the problem. (see what fun you can have when you pretend correlation is causation?)

 

[Niles Standish]

I'm always surprised when Tennessee makes these lists. It's a beautiful state (at least parts of it I haven't seen it all by any measure). If I had to move back to the south it would almost certainly be TN.

 

[Scoresman]

I think these states overlap with the states that refer to soda as "pop". There's your explanation.

 

[Rayderr]

All 10 states end in a vowel or sometimes vowel. Clearly that's the problem. You don't see Texas, New York or Oregon on that list do you?

 

[datonn]

A bit off-topic, but I can't figure out West Virginia's problem either. Stunningly beautiful State that offers just about any outdoor recreational activity one could ever want (that doesn't involve an ocean). I could see myself living there and being happy in a nano-second...if the people didn't come off as actors and extras on the set for the movie "Deliverance."

Rural Tennessee, Kentucky, and several other States on the list are a similar story. Just amazing how beautiful those places are! But then you spoil it by turning on the radio, or hearing people talk about things such as "all them queer-o-sexuals" [copyright: Family Guy]. Stupid, isms, et al knows no boundaries, and has no exclusive political affiliations! That said, what seems to make Appalachia a magnet for that sort of thing? Serious question.

 

[igbomb]

Honestly, as a Michigan resident I was surprised that we weren't on the list. Not that I don't love the state, but the financial mess that many of our cities are in, along with the high unemployment and population loss made me assume that we'd be right in the mix.

Surprised the breakdown skews as much to the South as it does.

 

[Tom Servo]

A bit off-topic, but I can't figure out West Virginia's problem either. Stunningly beautiful State that offers just about any outdoor recreational activity one could ever want (that doesn't involve an ocean). I could see myself living there and being happy in a nano-second...if the people didn't come off as actors and extras on the set for the movie "Deliverance."

Rural Tennessee, Kentucky, and several other States on the list are a similar story. Just amazing how beautiful those places are! But then you spoil it by turning on the radio, or hearing people talk about things such as "all them queer-o-sexuals" [copyright: Family Guy]. Stupid, isms, et al knows no boundaries, and has no exclusive political affiliations! That said, what seems to make Appalachia a magnet for that sort of thing? Serious question.

There's nothing magnetic about it. Poor, little educated people with beliefs that are outdated.

 

[LinusMarr]

You can actually live pretty well in Oklahoma making a good wage with the cost of living so low. Plus i am a huge fan of the flatlanders, they "cling"...

 

[Cold Dead Hands]

A bit off-topic, but I can't figure out West Virginia's problem either. Stunningly beautiful State that offers just about any outdoor recreational activity one could ever want (that doesn't involve an ocean). I could see myself living there and being happy in a nano-second...if the people didn't come off as actors and extras on the set for the movie "Deliverance."

Rural Tennessee, Kentucky, and several other States on the list are a similar story. Just amazing how beautiful those places are! But then you spoil it by turning on the radio, or hearing people talk about things such as "all them queer-o-sexuals" [copyright: Family Guy]. Stupid, isms, et al knows no boundaries, and has no exclusive political affiliations! That said, what seems to make Appalachia a magnet for that sort of thing? Serious question.

There's nothing magnetic about it. Poor, little educated people with beliefs that are outdated.

That is a vast minority of the population in West Virginia. Generally good, friendly people no matter who you are or what you do.

 

[Apple Jack]

A bit off-topic, but I can't figure out West Virginia's problem either. Stunningly beautiful State that offers just about any outdoor recreational activity one could ever want (that doesn't involve an ocean). I could see myself living there and being happy in a nano-second...if the people didn't come off as actors and extras on the set for the movie "Deliverance."

Rural Tennessee, Kentucky, and several other States on the list are a similar story. Just amazing how beautiful those places are! But then you spoil it by turning on the radio, or hearing people talk about things such as "all them queer-o-sexuals" [copyright: Family Guy]. Stupid, isms, et al knows no boundaries, and has no exclusive political affiliations! That said, what seems to make Appalachia a magnet for that sort of thing? Serious question.

Who are you expecting to want to go there? All of it's neighbors have mountains of their own, much more thriving cities, and to the east, oceanfront. Yes, it's "pretty" but so is the rest of the Appalachian range.

 

[Sand]

That doesn't mean anything, the city of Philadelphia cancels out our whole state in presidential elections. IIRC, Romney didn't get a single vote in Philadelphia and the surrounding areas in 2012.

Not only that, but the last three dem presidential candidates weren't coal friendly. Say what you want, take food off people's table, they react. Whether or not you agree, don't make a hill of beans.

Most important, as you well know, governors and control of the legislature make the difference. The legislature here has been controlled by unions and their democrat puppets for over a half century.

Your recollection is a bit off. Listening to breitbart maybe?

Philadelphia County 98.6% Reporting

B. Obama (i) Dem 85.2% 557,024

M. Romney GOP 14.1% 91,840

G. Johnson Lib 0.4% 2,721

J. Stein Grn 0.3% 2,013

I dont think Romney got shut out in a single Pennsylvania county.

http://www.politico.com/2012-election/results/president/pennsylvania/

In 59 districts of Philly he is correct. Pretty compelling evidence of systemic voter fraud, IMO. No way 20,000 people go to the polls without a single one screwing up. Zero chance. Same thing happened in parts of NYC. That is a digression, though.

This list is really an indicator of poverty (rural or rust) more than anything else.

We have some very poor, rural parts of Alabama. And yet in many areas we have a standard of living substantially better than some of the high ranking states (taxes, weather, medical care, etc.). Nice to see ND at the top of the list, but no way I'd choose to live there, particularly after this winter.