Georgia among nation’s worst states for women, analysis finds
March is Women’s History Month. First, the good news: In WalletHub’s 2020 ranking of best and worst states for women, Georgia ranks No. 5 in percentage of women-owned business.
That’s pretty much the only good news for the Peach State in this analysis.
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To determine the best and worst states for women, WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia across two key dimensions: women’s economic and social well-being, and women’s health and safety.
Within those two dimensions were 24 relevant metrics, ranging from job security to baby friendliness. Each metric was graded on a 100-point scale, with a score of 100 representing the most favorable conditions for women.
Finishing on top was Massachusetts, with a score of 75.66. Rounding out the top five were Minnesota, Iowa, Maine and Colorado, in that order.
Georgia finished in the bottom 10 at No. 42, with a score of 46.68.
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Among the metrics, Georgia finished:
- 33rd: unemployment rate for women
- 42nd: share of women in poverty
- 49th: high school graduation rate for women
- 36th: share of women who voted in 2016 presidential election
- 48th: female uninsured rate
- 41st: women's life expectancy at birth
- 19th: women's preventive health care
Southern states mostly rank at the bottom of WalletHub’s list. Georgia is followed by: Texas, West Virginia, Idaho, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana, in that order.
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About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
