11. Colorado
> Median household income: $63,909
> Population: 5,456,574 (22nd highest)
> 2015 Unemployment rate: 3.9% (10th lowest)
> Poverty rate: 11.5% (14th lowest)
Incomes in Colorado have increased meaningfully in 2015, while the food stamp recipiency rate fell. The typical household in the state earns $63,909 a year, up from $61,351 in 2014. Meanwhile, only 8.4% of state residents rely on food stamps, down half a percentage point from 2014. Both of these measures demonstrate that Colorado is better off economically than much of the country.
The state’s improved economic outcomes are likely the result of an improving job market. The 3.9% unemployment rate in 2015 was one of the lowest in the country and a marked improvement over the 5.0% unemployment rate in 2014.