How do the states fare when it comes to health, economic well-being, female representation, access to affordable childcare, reproductive rights and education? Read on for the results of iVillage's investigation (7 Photos)
Cynthia Ramnarace on Mar 30, 2012 at 2:10PM
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Our Criteria: How closely does a woman’s economic status affect her overall wellness? Strongly, according to our analysis. We looked at the number of women-owned businesses, poverty level and median earnings for women in each state.
Top 5 States: Maryland was the best state for women economically, followed by Massachusetts, Connecticut, Hawaii and New York. Maryland, the state with the highest earnings for women, also had the second-lowest female poverty rate and highest percentage of female-owned businesses. Virginia also scored in the top 10 on all three categories.
Bottom 5 States: Women fared worst in Mississippi, followed by Idaho, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Montana. Median earnings and poverty show a strong connection in places like Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and West Virginia.
Want to know how your state fared on our overall list? See our complete 50 Best to Worst States for Women ranking!
