Overall

The Best and Worst States Overall for Women in 2015

Best and Worst States for Women in 2015

Best States

Rank

Worst States

Rank

Minnesota

1

Alabama (tied)

51 (tied)

Connecticut

2 (tied)

Mississippi (tied)

51 (tied)

Massachusetts

2 (tied)

Kentucky (tied)

49 (tied)

Vermont

2 (tied)

Tennessee (tied)

49 (tied)

California

5 (tied)

Florida (tied)

47 (tied)

Hawaii

5 (tied)

Texas (tied)

47 (tied)

Maryland

5 (tied)

Oregon

5 (tied)

Dishonorable Mention

Colorado

9 (tied)

Ohio

Rhode Island

9 (tied)

Maine

11 (tied)

Washington

11 (tied)

Each of the best states for women appears in the top ten on at least one composite index; none appears below the midpoint of all states on any of the composite indices. Twelve states qualified under these criteria. Each of the worst states appears in the bottom ten at least once and is below the midpoint of all states on all of the composite indices. Six states meet these criteria. For more on the methodology for ranking the states and for source information, see Appendices 1–6.

No state received honorable mention (given to states that rank in the top half of all states on all of the composite indices but never rank in the top ten of all states). Ohio received a dishonorable mention because it ranked below the midpoint of all states on each of the composite indices, yet never ranked in the bottom ten of all states for any composite.

Employment and Earnings

Best and Worst States on Women’s Employment and Earnings
 State Rank Grade State Rank Grade
District of Columbia 1 A West Virginia 51 F
Maryland 2 B+ Idaho 50 F
Massachusetts 3 B+ Louisiana 49 F
New Jersey 4 B Mississippi 48 F
Connecticut 5 B Arkansas 47 F

 

Poverty and Opportunity

Best and Worst States on Women’s Poverty and Opportunity
State Rank Grade State Rank Grade
District of Columbia 1 A- Mississippi 51 F
Maryland 2 B+ Arkansas 50 F
Massachusetts 3 B+ West Virginia 49 D-
Connecticut 4 B Kentucky 48 D-
Hawaii 5 B Louisiana 47 D-

 

Health and Well-Being

State Rank Grade State Rank Grade
Minnesota 1 A- Mississippi 51 F
Hawaii 2 B+ Alabama 50 F
North Dakota 3 B+ Louisiana 49 F
Utah 4 B District of Columbia 48 F
Nebraska 5 B Arkansas 47 D-

 

Reproductive Rights

State Rank Grade State Rank Grade
Oregon 1 A- South Dakota 51 F
Vermont 2 A- Nebraska 50 F
Maryland 3 A- Kansas 49 F
New Jersey 4 A- Idaho 48 F
Hawaii 5 A- Tennessee 47 D-

 

Work & Family

Best and Worst States on Work & Family
State Rank Grade State Rank Grade
New York 1 B Indiana 51 F
California 2 B Utah 50 F
District of Columbia 3 B Montana 49 F
New Jersey 4 B- Mississippi 48 D-
Rhode Island 5 B- Wyoming 47 D-

 

Political Participation

Best and Worst States on Women’s Political Participation
State Rank Grade State Rank Grade
New Hampshire 1 B+ Utah 50 F
Minnesota 2 B Texas 49 F
Maine 3 B West Virginia 48 F
Washington 4 B Arkansas 47 F
Massachusetts 5 B- Louisiana 46 D-