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[2000 Rankings] [43 Factors] [State Rankings for 43 Factors]
[Most Livable State Rankings 1991 to 2000]
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LAWRENCE, KS. The Most Livable State Award seems to have taken up permanent residence in Minnesota. For the fourth year in a row, Minnesota tops the nation as 2000’s Most Livable State. This tenth annual award was announced today Morgan Quitno Press, a Lawrence, Kansas-based publishing and research company. Also making a repeat appearance — but at the opposite end of the scale — is Mississippi, which ranks #50 for the second consecutive year.
"Minnesota has a huge advantage over other states," said Scott Morgan, President of Morgan Quitno Press. "The state has a very well educated, healthy and involved population. It has one of the nation’s highest school graduation rates, a very low percentage of persons not covered by health insurance and high voter participation. This record of excellence across-the-board gives Minnesota an edge that is simply hard to beat."
For the last ten years, Morgan Quitno Press has issued its Livable State Award. Based on 43 factors selected from updated editions of its annual reference book, State Rankings, the Most Livable State Award recognizes a state for its high quality of life. The 2000 edition of
State Rankings, which compares states in more than 550 categories, was published this week."We issue the award every year because it tells an interesting story about life and government in the 50 United States," said Morgan. Our award is not a measurement of which state is most fun or the best place for everyone to live. It is based on statistical indicators that reflect the kind of lifestyle that most Americans agree is positive — affordable housing, safe streets, good employment opportunities, a strong education system and a healthy state economy."
Rounding out the top five spots with Minnesota are (in descending order) Iowa, Colorado, Utah and New Hampshire. At the opposite end of the scale with Mississippi are West Virginia in 49th, Louisiana in 48th, New Mexico in 47th and Tennessee in 46th place. North Dakota experienced the greatest improvement over last year’s rankings, jumping up 14 spots. Wyoming had the biggest drop, falling 10 places from #10 in 1999 to #20 in this year’s rankings.
The Most Livable State Award is one of four designations announced annually by Morgan Quitno Press in conjunction with the publication of its annual reference books. These other annual announcements designate the nation’s Safest City and Metro Area, the Healthiest State and the Most Dangerous/Safest State. A listing of the Most Livable State Award’s previous years' rankings, 43 factors, rankings of all 50 states for each factor and an explanation of the methodology are available from Morgan Quitno Press via the Internet at www.statestats.com or by calling 785-841-3534.
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