PROGRAM SUCCESS – SEPTEMBER 2010
PAGE 9
6. Hawaii: A tourism magnet with a large population of affluent
Americans
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 3.2%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: Tourism dominates
this tax-heavy state while food and apparel exports play more minor
roles (given the distance of the islands from all other land source).
Also, rich folks apparently love to camp out in Hawaii as much as
they might like Florida (the state had the highest percentage of
millionaires in the general population).
Education: 29.2% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or
higher. (Higher than average)
7. Kansas: Powered by agriculture, energy, and aerospace
Unemployment Rate: 6.5%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 3.0%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: Kansas isn’t the land
of Dorothy anymore, although it is still a major grain producer and
retains its agricultural roots. These days, the state is also a major oil
and natural gas producer and is also a hub of the aerospace industry.
% of adult population with a Bachelor’s degree or more: 28.8%
(Higher than average)
8. Wyoming: Riding commodities, tourism, and perhaps its tax
policies. Doing well despite low levels of education.
Unemployment Rate: 6.7%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 2.8%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: Mineral extraction,
agriculture, and tourism drive Wyoming’s largely rural economy. The
tourism industry alone accounts for over $2 billion of the state’s
annual revenue. The state is also known for its unusual tax policies —
no individual or corporate income tax and only a 4% sales tax on
select items.
Education: 23.4% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or
higher. (Lower than average)
9. Minnesota: A state with manufacturing, raw materials, and high
education
Unemployment Rate: 6.8%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: Again, the theme
here is diversity. Minnesota’s economy is home to a variety of firms
in the finished products, services, and raw materials sectors and 33 of
the nation’s top 1000 publicly-traded firms have headquarters in the
state.
Education: 31.0% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or
higher. (Higher than average)
10. Iowa: Outperforming with a diverse economy plus agriculture
Unemployment Rate: 6.8%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: While commonly
perceived as an agricultural hub, Iowa actually boasts a surprisingly
diverse economy with jobs in the manufacturing, biotech, finance,
insurance, and government services — all of which contribute to a
strong hiring market. The S&P gave the state a Triple-A rating in
2009 (only one of nine to hold the position then).
Education: 24.3% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or
higher. (Lower than average)