Community Corner

RI Ranks In Middle Among 50 States

A story published Friday on Politico ranked the Ocean State #29.

Rhode Island isn't the greatest place to live, but isn't that bad, either, at least according to Politico.

The political website examined the state of the states this week, ranking all 50 states based on 14 rankings from sources like the Census Bureau, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the FBI. Of the 51 states plus Washington D.C., the website ranked Rhode Island pretty much in the middle — 29. Factors (with Rhode Island's rank) included:

  • Per capita income (13)
  • Unemployment (tied at 50 with Nevada)
  • Poverty rate (21)
  • Home ownership rate (45)
  • Graduation rate (37)
  • Life expectancy (13)
  • Infant mortality rate (tied at 21)
  • Obesity rate (8)
  • Resident reported wellbeing (37)
  • Math scores (36)
  • Reading scores (39)
  • Income inequality (32)
  • Crime rate (13)
  • Percent of workers employed in science fields (32)
New Hampshire came out on top, followed by Minnesota, Vermont, Utah and Massachusetts. Mississippi was ranked last.

What do you think? Do you agree with the rank? Should Rhode Island be ranked higher or lower? Let us know in the comments section below.


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