America's Top States For Business '09

#16(tie) Washington

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(Photo: iStockphoto)

Category	Score	2009 Rank	2008 Rank
Cost of Doing Business	200	32	35
Workforce	147	35	37
Quality of Life	227	11	9
Economy	130	18	11
Transportation & Infrastructure	92	30	22
Technology & Innovation	208	6	6
Education	96	18	17
Business Friendliness	60	37	34
Access to Capital	46	5	5
Cost of Living	8	34	36
OVERALL	1214	16	18

ECONOMIC PROFILE

Governor: Christine Gregoire (D)

Population: 6,549,224

GDP (2008 per capita): $40,407

Economic Change (2007-2008): 2.0%

Unemployment Rate (June 2009): 9.3%

Foreclosure Rate (June 2009): One per 587 households

Stimulus Funds Distributed (as of July 8, 2009): $6.6 billion

Budget Gap (projected 2010): $3.6 billion

Sources: US Government, RealtyTrac, Center for Budget & Policy Priorities

FEATURED

Virginia Reclaims #1 Spot
Virginia is No. 1 in our 2009 Top States for Business ranking, taking back the top spot from last year's winner, Texas.
State by State (#1-50)
Complete Rankings for 2009
Categories & Criteria
Archive: 2008 Top States For Business Results
Archive: 2007 Top States For Business Results

TOP STATES VIDEOS

- The #1 State for Business
  Revealing the top state for business in the U.S., with Timothy Kaine, governor of the top state, and CNBC's Scott Cohn.
- No. 2 Top State for Biz
  It's CNBC's third annual look at the top states for business and CNBC's Scott Cohn reveals the No. 2 spot.
- No. 3 Top State for Business
  Continuing the countdown, with CNBC's Scott Cohn.
- Which State Is No. 4?
  A look at the No. 4 best state for business in the United States, with CNBC's Scott Cohn.
- Top States for Business: #5
  Discussing the best places do business in the U.S.A., with CNBC's Scott Cohn.

SLIDESHOWS

Best And Worst Economies
These states ranked in the top and bottom five.
States with the Most Millionaires
Fifteen states where the wealthy are living.
Highest Unemployment Rates
Find out which states have the highest jobless rates.
Biggest Budget Gaps
These states are forecasting large gaps in their budget.
Recession-Resistant Cities
Cities that have fought off the recession.
Highest Foreclosure Rates
Ten states that have seen the most foreclosures.

America's Top States For Business '09

STATE BY STATE

ECONOMIC PROFILE

FEATURED

TOP STATES VIDEOS

SLIDESHOWS