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The Best and Worst States for Women

The Best: Minnesota

The Best: Minnesota

Minnesota ranks number one as the very best state for women in Wallet Hub's study. It is ranked first in women's economic and social well-being and second in women's health and safety.

Moreover, Minnesota is the state with the second-highest medium earnings for female workers – adjusted for inflation. It also has the fourth-lowest poverty rate for women in the country. Education for women is also strong with the fourth-highest high school graduation rate for women.

The Best: Maine

The Best: Maine

Maine is ranked second on Wallet Hub's list thanks to its second-place position for women’s economic and social well-being. It is also number five in women's health and safety.

The area where Maine fares best, however, is when it comes to the percentage of women who voted in the 2016 election. Maine is placed as the second-highest, just below the District of Columbia. However, one area that main does need to work on is when it comes to female workers earnings. Maine has among the lowest median earnings.

The Best: Vermont

The Best: Vermont

North Dakota ranks number 5 for women's economic and social well-being. As for women's health and safety, it is number four. Overall, North Dakota is doing well in both these areas.

North Dakota has the third-highest high school graduation rate, below Nebraska and Wisconsin. Better yet, it has the lowest unemployment rate for women.

The Best: District of Columbia

The Best: District of Columbia

Our nation's capital does best when it comes to economic and social well-being, ranking number three. However, for health and safety, it's actually ranked number 20. While it is ranked lower than the other top four states, it's important to remember that there are several factors to consider in both categories – some which weigh more than others.

The District of Columbia has the highest median earnings for women workers, adjusted for the cost of living. This means that women in the district are earning more than anywhere else in the country. In terms of government employment, 24% of the Senate and 27.1% of the House of Representatives are women.

The Best: North Dakota

The Best: North Dakota

North Dakota ranks number 5 for women's economic and social well-being. As for women's health and safety, it is number four. Overall, North Dakota is doing well in both these areas.

North Dakota has the third-highest high school graduation rate, below Nebraska and Wisconsin. Better yet, it has the lowest unemployment rate for women.

The Worst: Oklahoma

The Worst: Oklahoma

Oklahoma is at the bottom of Wallet Hub's list at number 47. It is ranked 46 for social and economic well-being. It is 49 for health and safety.

Oklahoma has the biggest problems when it comes to uninsured rates and homicide. It has one of the worst homicide rates for female victims, tied with four other states. The rate of uninsured women in the state makes it second-to-worst.

The Worst: Louisiana

The Worst: Louisiana

Louisiana ranks number 48 out of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It is 50th for social and economic well-being. For health and safety, it is marginally better, placing 36th.

Louisiana has a poverty and homicide problem. The state is tied for having highest female homicide rate per every 100,000 women. For having the second-to-highest poverty rate, it is ranked 50th.

The Worst: Arkansas

The Worst: Arkansas

Arkansas is third-to-last for women in the state. It has a ranking of number 47 for economic and social well-being and is last in health and safety.

Among the major factors of consideration, Arkansas is in the bottom five for having the highest female homicide rate. The rate was measured by homicide victims for every 100,000 women.

The Worst: Alabama

The Worst: Alabama

Alabama is second-to-last when it comes to the worst states for women. It is 49th in terms of economic and social well-being. Its health and safety ranking is number is 47.

Alabama has the fourth-lowest life expectancy at birth of the state. It also has the fifth-lowest graduation rate among female high school students. Combined these rates take a huge toll on the state's female population.

The Worst: Mississippi

The Worst: Mississippi

Mississippi is ranked number 51, putting it in dead last on the list. It is in 51st place for economic and social well-being and number 46 for health and safety.

Mississippi has not done well for its female population in a few different ways. For one, it's placed last for having the highest percentage of women in poverty. On top of this, Mississippi has the lowest high school graduation rate in the country. Additionally, Mississippi has the lowest women's life expectancy at birth, which means more women are dying during childbirth.