Minnesota ranked best state in the country, according to new report

Minnesota's top ranking in a new bipartisan report underscores its strength in citizenship and democracy, education, and social capital, while also highlighting notable gaps. The State of the States analysis aggregates thousands of data points from 1990 through 2024 to rank states on dozens of topics. Minnesota leads in several measures, with high voter turnout and civic engagement, strong educational indicators, and a robust share of young people who are employed or in school. Several Midwest peers—Iowa, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota—also rank highly, while Louisiana sits at the bottom. The methodology emphasizes long‑term trends rather than a single-year snapshot.

Yet the report flags notable gaps, particularly in economic output and environmental performance. Minnesota ranks 38th in net emissions and shows trends that lag behind the national improvement. Air quality is cited as not improving as quickly as in other states. In education, the state posts high test scores and strong youth engagement, but youth depression remains a concern, ranking 43rd nationwide. On civil liberties, the study notes a spike in press attacks in 2020—four times higher than in 2019 and 2022—reflecting broader national tensions.