16. North Dakota
> Median household income: $60,557
> Population: 756,927 (4th lowest)
> 2015 Unemployment rate: 2.7% (the lowest)
> Poverty rate: 11.0% (9th lowest)
For the second year in a row, North Dakota’s 2.7% annual unemployment rate was the lowest in the country. The strong job market across the state contributes to higher incomes. The typical household in the state earns $60,557 a year, nearly $5,000 more than the typical American household. While incomes across the state are relatively high, they have not increased significantly from the previous year, likely at least in part due to persistent low oil prices.
With higher than average incomes and low unemployment, a small share of North Dakota residents depend on government assistance. Only 6.9% of households in the state receive food stamps, roughly half the comparable nationwide share.