Some states shine in health care. Some soar in education. Some excel in both – or in much more. The Best States rankings by U.S. News draw on thousands of data points to measure how well states are performing for their citizens.
In addition to
health care and
education, the rankings take into account a state’s
economy; its
roads, bridges, internet and other infrastructure; its
public safety; its
natural environment; the
fiscal stability of state government; and the
opportunity it affords its residents.
More weight was accorded to some categories than others, based on a survey of what matters most to people. Health care and education were weighted most heavily. Then came state economies, infrastructure, and the opportunity states offer their citizens.
Fiscal stability followed closely in weighting, followed by measures of crime and corrections and a state's natural environment.
Virginia came in at #13 and I'd say that was fair given the number of transplants and two year span of total dem "leadership" a few years back and the FUBAR laws that were passed during that time.
That said I have an inkling that US News doesn’t weigh the same values that I find important in a state.
Anyway the list is ethnically challenged as there are only 1.9% black people in UT.