New Hampshire: 14th Best Run State In Nation

New Hampshire came in 14th in a list of “best run states in the nation,” compiled by the website 24/7 Wall St. The ranking was based on the following: each state’s debt; revenue; expenditure and deficit; taxes; exports; GDP growth; poverty; income; unemployment; high school graduation; violent crime; and foreclosure rates.

Here’s what they say about New Hampshire:

By many measures, New Hampshire is very well run. In 2011, the state had one of the highest median incomes in the nation and one of the country’s lowest unemployment and poverty rates, at 5.4% and 8.8% respectively. The state had one of the nation’s lowest tax burdens in 2010, with residents paying just 8.1% of income in taxes. New Hampshire’s tax structure is rated by the Tax Foundation as one of the nation’s most business friendly. However, the state still has difficulty managing its budget. New Hampshire had over $6,300 in debt per person in fiscal 2010, one of the highest rates in the country. The state’s pension liabilities were just 59% funded that year, also one of the lowest rates in the nation.

Debt per capita: $6,341 (7th highest)

Budget deficit: 27.2% (10th largest)

Unemployment: 5.4% (4th lowest)

Median household income: $62,647 (6th highest)

Pct. below poverty line: 8.8% (the lowest)

North Dakota was ranked as the best run state, and California as the worst. Nearby, Massachusetts came in 19th, and Maine 35th.