Best & Worst
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
1. Texas — Best
Points: 282
2008 Ranking: 1
»Texas Snapshot»America's Top States for Business
»Complete 2009 Rankings
2. Wyoming
Points: 194
2008 Ranking: 6
»Wyoming Snapshot
»America's Top States for Business
»Complete 2009 Rankings
3. Oklahoma
Points: 184
2008 Ranking: 3
»Oklahoma Snapshot
»America's Top States for Business
»Complete 2009 Rankings
4. Iowa
Points: 182
2008 Ranking: 29
»Iowa Snapshot
»America's Top States for Business
»Complete 2009 Rankings
5. Colorado
Points: 178
2008 Ranking: 11
»Colorado Snapshot
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»Complete 2009 Rankings
50. Rhode Island — Worst
Points: 11
2008 Ranking: 49
»Rhode Island Snapshot
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»Complete 2009 Rankings
49. Nevada
Points: 32
2008 Ranking: 34
»Nevada Snapshot
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»Complete 2009 Rankings
47. Alaska (Tie)
Points: 48
2008 Ranking: 50
»Alaska Snapshot
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»Complete 2009 Rankings
47. South Carolina (Tie)
Points: 48
2008 Ranking: 39
»South Carolina Snapshot
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»Complete 2009 Rankings
46. Indiana
Points: 50
2008 Ranking: 37
»Indiana Snapshot
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»Complete 2009 Rankings