The Best States for Raising Kids -- Do You Live in One of Them?

Check out the latest STATE Child Well-Being Index (CWI) report and find out where your state ranks.

Erika Rasmusson Janes ON Jan 26, 2012 at 12:21PM

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Think your state is -- or isn't -- a great place to raise your kids? Now you can find out for sure. The Foundation for Child Development recently released its annual STATE Child Well-Being Index (CWI) report, which measures kids' quality-of-life on a state-by-state basis by looking at indicators such categories as Family Economic Well-Being, Health, Safe/Risky Behavior, Educational Attainment, Community Engagement, Social Relationships and Emotional/Spiritual Well-Being.

Topping the list: The home of the Boss, Bon Jovi and Jersey Shore: New Jersey. Bottoming out: New Mexico.

One big finding: The study revealed that states with higher taxes ranked higher when it comes to kids' well-being. (Keep that in mind, Moms and Dads, the next time you grouse about your state's taxes!)

Here are the top states to live in from best to worst:
1. New Jersey
2. Massachussetts
3. New Hampshire
4. Utah
5. Connecticut
6. Minnesota
7. Iowa
8. North Dakota
9. Maryland
10. New York
11. Pennsylvania
12. Virginia
13. Vermont
14. Wisconsin
15. Nebraska
16. Illinois
17. Maine
18. Rhode Island
19. Hawaii
20. Kansas
21. Delaware
22. Washington
23. Michigan
24. Idaho
25. Ohio
26. Colorado
27. South Dakota
28. Indiana
29. Missouri
30. California
31. Oregon
32. North Carolina
33. Montana
34. Florida
35. Georgia
36. South Carolina
37. Wyoming
38. West Virginia
39. Texas
40.Tennessee
41. Kentucky
42. Alaska
43. Oklahoma
44. Alabama
45. Arizona
46. Nevada
47. Arkansas
48. Louisiana
49. Mississippi
50. New Mexico

How does your state rate for raising kids? Click to comment.

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