47. West Virginia (tie)

Problems in the Mountain State range from burdensome regulations to a weak economy. But low costs are attractive.

Top States West Virginia
Source: George Kavallines
Category
Score
2016 Rank
2015 Rank
Workforce 186 40 44 (Tie)
Cost of Doing Business 231 11 7
Infrastructure 146 39 (Tie) 42
Economy 108 47 36 (Tie)
Quality of Life 137 40 40
Technology & Innovation 48 49 50
Education 93 32 34
Business Friendliness 15 49 48 (Tie)
Cost of Living 57 13 24
Access to Capital 3 48 45
Overall 1024 47 (Tie) 49

Economic Profile

Governor: Earl Ray Tomblin, Democrat

Population: 1,844,128

GDP growth: 0.1 percent

Unemployment rate (May 2016): 6.2 percent

Top corporate tax rate: 6.5 percent

Top individual income tax rate: 6.5 percent

Gasoline tax: 51.60 cents/gallon

Bond rating/outlook: Aa1, negative

Major private employers: Wal-Mart, West Virginia United Health System, United Bankshares

Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute, Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence

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