Not a single southern state is listed among the best 10 states in the nation, Georgia included.
In fact, according to U.S. News & World Report’s first-ever best states ranking, Georgia doesn’t even crack the top 30.
» RELATED: Georgia ranks low — very low — among best states to raise a child
The best state in the country, according to U.S. News, is Massachusetts. The New England state ranked in the top five for health care, education and economy.
Louisiana ranked last overall and last in the crime category.
To come up with the list, analysts studied 68 metrics across seven categories including health care, education, infrastructure, crime, opportunity, economy and government.
Data was pulled from McKinsey & Company’s Leading States Index to create a state-by-state comparison of index scores for each metric, which were ultimately calculated into weighted averages.
» RELATED: New study on STDs finds Georgia among ‘most diseased’ states
Analysts also examined government data from agencies like the U.S. Census Bureau and consulted with experts in each category. The metrics were pulled from 2013 or later.
» RELATED: More about the study and its methodology
Here’s how Georgia (No. 36) fared across the seven categories:
Health care: No. 38
Education: No. 37
Crime & Corrections: No. 35
Infrastructure: No. 27
Opportunity: No. 41
Economy: No. 14
Government: No. 15
» RELATED: Atlanta traffic among worst in the world, study finds
Here are the top 10 best states, according to U.S. News:
1. Massachusetts
2. New Hampshire
3. Minnesota
4. North Dakota
5. Washington
6. Iowa
7. Utah
8. Maryland
9. Colorado
10. Vermont
RECOMMENDED VIDEO: Report ranks Georgia in last place for student proficiency
Support real journalism. Support local journalism. Subscribe to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution today. See offers.
Your subscription to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
Download the new AJC app. More local news, more breaking news and in-depth journalism. AJC.com. Atlanta. News. Now.
With the largest team in the state, the AJC reports what’s really going on with your tax dollars and your elected officials. Subscribe today. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.
Your subscription to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution funds in-depth reporting and investigations that keep you informed. Thank you for supporting real journalism. Visit the AJC's Georgia Navigator for the latest in Georgia politics.