States With The Best & Worst Economies

Part of being a top state for business means having a strong economy, which is why each state’s economy played a factor on our overall rankings. Here’s a closer look at the states with the best and worst economies, selected using basic economic indicators and by the number of major corporations located within the state. With that information, each state was given a score out of a possible 314 points, and ranked using those numbers. Click on to see which state economies made the bottom five and which made the top, along with last years rankings and their total points. Published July 23, 2009»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Dallas, Texas|Photo: David Herrera Points: 282 2008 Ranking: 1 »Texas Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Cheyenne, Wyo. | Photo: Cliff Points: 194 2008 Ranking: 6 »Wyoming Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Oklahoma City, Okla. | CPacke Points: 184 2008 Ranking: 3 »Oklahoma Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Des Moines, Iowa | Photo: Tim Kiser Points: 182 2008 Ranking: 29 »Iowa Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Denver, Colo. | Photo: Matt Wright Points: 178 2008 Ranking: 11 »Colorado Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Photo: Loodog Points: 11 2008 Ranking: 49 »Rhode Island Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Reno, Nev. | Photo: Ken Lund Points: 32 2008 Ranking: 34 »Nevada Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Anchorage, Alaska | Photo: Andrei_Taranchenko Points: 48 2008 Ranking: 50 »Alaska Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Columbia, S.C. | Photo: Akhenaton06 Points: 48 2008 Ranking: 39 »South Carolina Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings

Indianapolis, Ind. | Photo: Jason Points: 50 2008 Ranking: 37 »Indiana Snapshot»America's Top States for Business»Complete 2009 Rankings