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[1999 Rankings] [43 Factors] [State Rankings for 43 Factors]
[Most Livable State Rankings 1991 to 1999]
[Corporate Information Sheet] [MQ Home Page]
LAWRENCE, KS. For the third year in a row, Minnesota tops the nation as 1999’s Most Livable State. This ninth annual award was announced today Morgan Quitno Press, a Lawrence, Kansas-based publishing and research company. Bringing up the rear of the 1999 rankings list is Mississippi, which knocked out longtime #50 contender Louisiana.
"Minnesota’s unbeatable performance across-the board gives it the edge over its sister states," said Scott Morgan, President of Morgan Quitno Press. "The state’s high marks in education, health, low unemployment, funding for the arts and other quality of life factors gives Minnesota a three-time lock on our annual award."
For each of the last nine 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 1999 edition of State Rankings, which compares states in more than 550 categories, was published this week.
"Our award is not a measurement of which state is most fun or the best place for everyone to live," said Morgan. "Rather, the award 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. This broad range of factors makes our award unique in that we have no narrow, special agenda to advance."
Rounding out the top five spots with Minnesota are (in descending order) Colorado, Iowa, Kansas and Utah. At the opposite end of the scale with Mississippi are West Virginia in 49th, Louisiana in 48th, New Mexico in 47th and Arkansas in 46th place. Maine and Texas experienced the greatest improvement over last year’s rankings, each jumping 11 spots. North Dakota suffered the biggest drop, falling 19 places from #9 in 1998 to #28 in this year’s rankings.
The Most Livable State Award is one of four designations announced annually by Morgan Quitno in conjunction with 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 State. A listing of the Most Livable State Award’s 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 http://www.morganquitno.com or by calling (785) 841-3534.
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