Are Millennials Happy in Illinois?
Now, if you're feeling snarky, you probably asked yourself "Are they happy anywhere?"
Personal finance site, WalletHub took a look at the nation's millennials to see which states were better or worse for a much-talked about generation of Americans:
Loved by marketers yet vilified by media, millennials are at once the most popular and unpopular generation alive. They’re soon to be the largest, too, giving them a huge influence on American culture and consumption. Today, these early-20-to-early-30-somethings who are often depicted through negative stereotypes — entitled, parentally dependent, emotionally fragile — are responsible for 21 percent of all consumer discretionary spending in the U.S.
That's a pretty good description, especially the stereotypes part. I'll admit to being somewhat surprised by the amount of discretionary spending.
Here's what WalletHub looked at to determine the best and worst spots for millennials:
WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia to determine where this generational has thrived and struggled. We examined each state and the District across 30 key metrics, ranging from share of millennials to millennial unemployment rate to millennial voter-turnout rate.
As is our custom, let's take a look at WalletHub's top 5 best places for millennials:
1) District of Columbia
2) North Dakota
3) Minnesota
4) Massachussetts
5) Iowa
Next, we move on to the 5 worst spots:
47) Alabama
48) Nevada
49) Mississippi
50) West Virginia
51) New Mexico
As for our state of Illinois, we come in at #18, sandwiched between Texas and New York.
Living & Working as a Millennial in Illinois (1=Best; 25=Avg.):
- 40th – % of Millennials Living with Parents
- 20th – Housing Cost for Millennials
- 20th – % of Millennials
- 10th – Average Monthly Earnings for Millennials
- 23rd – Millennial Homeownership Rate
- 38th – Millennial Unemployment Rate
- 19th – % of Insured Millennials
- 26th – % of Millennials with Depression