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New Hampshire named 'Most Livable State'
By TOM FAHEY
State House Bureau Chief
Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2008
Concord – One week after being named the safest state in the country, New Hampshire was named yesterday as the "Most Livable State." In its annual ranking, CQ Press put the state at the top of its annual rankings for the fifth straight year.
The rankings are based on a list of 44 factors, including median household income, crime rates, business tax climate, employment, health, environment and education.
Gov. John Lynch said the ranking "reaffirms what the citizens of our state already know - New Hampshire is a great place to live and work."
Other states at the top of the rankings were Utah, Wyoming, Minnesota and Iowa. At the bottom of the list, for the ninth of the last 10 years, was Mississippi, preceded by South Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and Arkansas.
CQ said New Hampshire ranked highly in "a number of important quality-of-life measures, boasting low crime, low poverty, and high income levels as well as a well-educated population."
Lynch said the rankings should serve as an inspiration.
"We must keep working together to make sure New Hampshire stays a great place for our families and businesses - improving the quality of education, strengthening our economy, making health care more accessible and affordable, protecting our natural resources and ensuring the safety of all our citizens and visitors," he said in a statement.
George Bald, commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development, said the CQ designation was "an incredible milestone for the state ... It's tremendously gratifying to know that our great state is being acknowledged for our pristine natural environment, our innovative business atmosphere and our scenic beauty."
Formerly published by Morgan Quitno, the "Most Livable State Award" has been issued for the last 18 years.
