Gallupis out with its latest batch of "well-being" data, and a new city has fallen to the lowest spot in the rankings.
This year, Charleston, W.Va. ranked lowest on the pollster's index of well-being in metropolitan areas. It displaced Huntington-Ashland, W.Va.-Ky.-Ohio, which came in last place the previous two years.
The index ranks well-being by averaging scores in six categories: Life evaluation, emotional health, work environment, physical health, healthy behaviors, and access to basic necessities.
No.11 Utica-Rome, N.Y.
Overall score: 63.4/100
The metro area ranked 176th overall, four spots higher than its place at No.180 in 2011. It scored highest in healthy behavior (at No.65), which measures lifestyle habits like smoking, exercise frequency, diet, and consumption of fruits and vegetables.
Results are based on phone interviews with a random sample of 353,563 adults in the U.S. Metro areas are based on the Metropolitan Statistical Areas defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
Source: Gallup Well-Being Index
No.10 Spartanburg, S.C.
Overall score: 63.4/100
Spartanburg was not ranked in 2011. It ranked No.176 of 189 metro areas in terms of life evaluation, a self-evaluation of one's current personal wellbeing and expected personal well-being in five years.
Results are based on phone interviews with a random sample of 353,563 adults in the U.S. Metro areas are based on the Metropolitan Statistical Areas defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
Source: Gallup Well-Being Index
No.9 Rockford, Ill.
Overall score: 63.1/100
Rockford dropped 26 spots to No.181 this year. It fared best in terms of physical health — which measures sick days, obesity, rest, health problems, energy, flu, colds, and headaches — coming in at No.129.
Results are based on phone interviews with a random sample of 353,563 adults in the U.S. Metro areas are based on the Metropolitan Statistical Areas defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget.
Source: Gallup Well-Being Index
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