All U.S. states except for Delaware have escaped the possibility of falling back into recession, as they reap the rewards of strong private-sector employment and a burgeoning energy sector, according to an analysis released on Tuesday.
Moody's Analytics, which tracks state and metropolitan economies, added Illinois, Wisconsin and Alabama to its list of states in recovery. That left Delaware alone in its "at risk of recession" category.
(Read more: America's Top States for Business 2013)
Moody's Analytics, a unit of Moody's evaluates economics and financial risk around the world. A separate unit, the credit ratings agency Moody's Investors Service, recently said the outlook for states is now stable, after five years of being negative.
"The labor market recoveries in those three states were lagging behind," said Moody's Analytics Associate Economist Brent Campbell.
(Read more: The 5% recovery: Why most are still in recession)
But over the last six months, private-sector jobs have grown in Alabama. Chicago, where the financial services sector is strong, is leading the Illinois economy into stable territory.
In Wisconsin, health care is driving the recovery, Campbell said. That sector is also helping other states, especially those with older populations.