A happiness map of the U.S.

What color is your parachute state? If you live in the Dakotas, your answer is most likely green, which means you’re pretty happy. If you live in Alabama or Arkansas, in contrast, answer is probably red, which means you’re fairly unhappy.

These findings are the among the results of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index (h/t MailOnline), which are in for 2013. The survey assigns a numerical value to each state based on several factors. Collectively, these translate into the state’s “well-being score.” Last year North Dakota scored highest, with 70.4 points. West Virginia scored lowest, with 61.4 points.

Perhaps not coincidentally, the states with lower income levels and poorer physical health tend to have lower scores than states with higher income levels and better physical health. Below is a map color-coded by quintile. Following that is a chart of the top and bottom ten states.

happiness map

Chart of states

Howard Portnoy

Howard Portnoy

Howard Portnoy has written for The Blaze, HotAir, NewsBusters, Weasel Zippers, Conservative Firing Line, RedCounty, and New York’s Daily News. He has one published novel, Hot Rain, (G. P. Putnam’s Sons), and has been a guest on Radio Vice Online with Jim Vicevich, The Alana Burke Show, Smart Life with Dr. Gina, and The George Espenlaub Show.

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