These 2 States Have the Most Pride

In a new Gallup poll asked Americans to rate their state as a place to live, Montanans and Alaskans had more state pride than the rest of the U.S. Three of four Montanans and Alaskans (77 percent) said their state was the best or one of the best places to reside.

Rhode Island and Illinois residents weren’t as optimistic about their home states: eighteen precent of Rhode Islanders and 19 percent of Illinoisans lauded their states.

Those living in Western and Midwestern states were generally more positive about their states. Many of the top states also had relatively low populations (with Texas as a major exception). States on the east were less well-loved by their residents.

The most prideful states were:

1. Montana (77 percent) and Alaska (77 percent)

3. Utah (70 percent)

4. Wyoming (69 percent)

5. Texas (68 percent) and Hawaii (68 percent)

7. New Hampshire (67 percent)

8. North Dakota (66 percent)

9. Colorado (65 percent)

10. Vermont (61 percent), Oregon (61 percent) and Minnesota (61 percent)

The least prideful states were:

1. Rhode Island (18 percent)

2. Illinois (19 percent)

3. Mississippi (26 percent)

4. Louisiana (27 percent)

5. Michigan (28 percent), New Mexico (28 percent), New Jersey (28 percent)

8. Maryland (29 percent) and Missouri (29 percent)

10. Connecticut (31 percent)