States

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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Which Cities and States are the Happiest?

Which US Cities and States are the Happiest?

by David Klemt

Yellow smiley face ball

As an entrepreneur and operator evaluating a market for a first location or expansion, it can help to know where people are happiest.

Equally as helpful: Knowing the cities and states that are the least happy. Not, necessarily, so an operator can avoid these markets.

Rather, one’s concept may be a ray of stress-free sunshine for a given community. Providing a great workplace with a positive culture can work wonders for both the happiest and least-happy places. And as the cornerstones of the communities they serve, restaurants and bars can improve their guests’ quality of life.

We’ve looked at the US cities with the greatest inflow and outflow (which can reveal happiness levels), as identified by Redfin. And we’ve checked out the best US retirement cities, researched by Clever.

Now, we’re taking a look at which US cities and states are the happiest and least happy, according to WalletHub. In case you’re unaware, personal finance site WalletHub researches a vast array of topics. You can browse them here.

Happiest Cities

While determining which are happiest, WalletHub identified the happiest 182 cities. Obviously, that’s a far cry from how many cities are in the US.

According to one source, there 19,495 cities, towns, and villages across the country (per data from 2018). Of those, 4,727 cities have populations of 5,000 or more. A total of 310 cities have populations of at least 100,000, and only ten are home to one million people or more.

So, living in any of the 182 cities WalletHub suggests one is pretty happy. However, these are the ten happiest cities, in descending order:

  1. Fremont, California
  2. Columbia, Maryland
  3. San Francisco, California
  4. San Jose, California
  5. Irvine, California
  6. Madison, Wisconsin
  7. Seattle, Washington
  8. Overland Park, Kansas
  9. Huntington Beach, California
  10. San Diego, California

As you can see, six of the 10 cities are in California. In fact, 29 of the 182 cities on this list are located in the Golden State.

To create their list, WalletHub analyzed several metrics that make up three main categories: emotional and physical well-being; work environment; and community and environment.

Fremont, CA, is number one for emotional and physical well-being. The top spot for work environment goes to San Francisco, CA. And the number-one city for community and environment is Casper, Wyoming, which is number 79 on the list overall.

Least-happy Cities

Again, understanding that there are more than 19,400 cities, towns, and villages in the US alters the context of this list a bit.

Living and operating in one of these 182 cities indicates a person is living in a happy city. Basically, it isn’t the worst place to live if it’s on this list.

At any rate, let’s look at the 10 cities that make up the bottom of WalletHub’s list. Or, the “least-happy” cities, at least as far as these rankings are concerned.

  1. Detroit, Michigan
  2. Gulfport, Mississippi
  3. Memphis, Tennessee
  4. Huntington, West Virginia
  5. Montgomery, Alabama
  6. Cleveland, Ohio
  7. Augusta, Georgia
  8. Fort Smith, Arizona
  9. Mobile, Alabama
  10. Shreveport, Louisiana

Happiest States

WalletHub also ranked 50 states to determine the happiest and least happy. I checked, and, yep, that’s all of ’em! I will say it’s a bit disappointing they didn’t include Puerto Rico, but it isn’t the 51st state (yet).

WalletHub focused on 30 metrics to rank the states, which make up three main categories: emotional and physical well-being; work environment; and community and environment.

In descending order, the happiest states in America are:

  1. Hawaii
  2. Maryland
  3. Minnesota
  4. Utah
  5. New Jersey
  6. Idaho
  7. California
  8. Illinois
  9. Nebraska
  10. Connecticut

Hawaii doesn’t just take the top spot overall, it also claims number one for emotional and physical well-being. Utah takes first for work environment, and community and environment.

Rounding out the “happiest half” of the US are:

  1. Virginia
  2. South Dakota
  3. North Dakota
  4. Massachusetts
  5. New Hampshire
  6. Iowa
  7. Delaware
  8. Florida
  9. Georgia
  10. North Carolina
  11. Wisconsin
  12. Washington
  13. New York
  14. Maine
  15. Wyoming

Least-happy States

Conversely, the following are the least-happy states, starting with the unhappiest:

  1. West Virginia
  2. Louisiana
  3. Arkansas
  4. Kentucky
  5. Alabama
  6. Mississippi
  7. Oklahoma
  8. Tennessee
  9. New Mexico
  10. Missouri

Filling out the least-happy half of the country are:

  1. Alaska
  2. Michigan
  3. Ohio
  4. Indiana
  5. Texas
  6. Nevada
  7. Vermont
  8. South Carolina
  9. Kansas
  10. Arizona
  11. Colorado
  12. Montana
  13. Rhode Island
  14. Pennsylvania
  15. Oregon

In terms of the three metrics WalletHub analyzed, West Virginia is ranked last for emotional and physical well-being. Unfortunately, Mississippi is last for work environment. And Texas comes in last for community and environment.

Image: chaitanya pillala on Unsplash

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by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

These States are Ending Federal Benefits

Which States are Ending Federal Benefits?

by David Klemt

One hundred dollar bills

So far, 22 states across America are planning to end the weekly $300-per-week federal boost to unemployment.

Some reports suggest a few states will opt out of federal unemployment benefits as early as June 12.

Obviously, that’s significantly earlier than the September 6 expiration the American Rescue Plan mandates.

Two Sides

Clearly, the impact opting out of the federal unemployment program is largely academic at this point. We won’t know if the move will lead to a boost in hiring across the country or simply plunge struggling Americans further into peril.

One side, those who support the exit, believe the move will jumpstart the economy and hiring.

In their view, the $300-per-week benefit is a disincentive for claimants to seek employment. That, in turn, is what’s fueling the current labor shortage.

“Incentives matter,” says Montana Governor Greg Gianforte. “And the vast expansion of federal unemployment benefits is now doing more harm than good.”

The opt-out by 15 states will impact 1-1.5 million people.

Now, the other side believes opting out is cruel and will make it even more difficult for drowning Americans to get their heads above water. As they see it, most jobless people are using state and federal unemployment programs correctly.

“Let’s not take our eye off the ball,” says President Joe Biden. “Families who are just trying to put food on the table, keep a roof over their head, they aren’t the problem.”

Hospitality Industry Struggles

Obviously, the $300-per-week benefit is often cited by operators as one of the main reasons they can’t fill available positions.

Unfortunately, the reality of the situation isn’t that simple. Scapegoats may be “convenient” but they’re also dangerous—they distract from real issues.

The pandemic, mass unemployment, and current labor shortage isn’t solely the product of unemployment payment enhancements. A significant portion of hospitality workers aren’t working for other reasons. Many are leaving the industry entirely due to an array of issues.

These include workplace culture, inequity, lack of diversity and inclusion, and earning a livable wage, many among others.

Sure, it’s convenient to point to and vilify one contributor to the hiring struggles operators are facing. However, it’s clear that the industry has long-term problems with which it must reckon. Things can’t continue as they were pre-pandemic if the industry is to reset, recover and thrive in a post-pandemic world.

States Ending Federal Benefits

Montana Gov. Gianforte is the first to announce a state would opt out of the federal unemployment program, causing a domino effect.

So far, the list of states exiting the program are:

  1. Alabama (June 19)
  2. Alaska (June 12)
  3. Arizona (July 10)
  4. Arkansas (June 26)
  5. Georgia (June 26)
  6. Idaho (June 19)
  7. Indiana (June 19)
  8. Iowa (June 12)
  9. Mississippi (June 12)
  10. Missouri (June 12)
  11. Montana (June 27)
  12. New Hampshire (June 19)
  13. North Dakota (June 19)
  14. Ohio (June 26)
  15. Oklahoma (June 26)
  16. South Carolina (June 30)
  17. South Dakota (June 26)
  18. Tennessee (July 3)
  19. Texas (June 26)
  20. Utah (June 26)
  21. West Virginia (June 19)
  22. Wyoming (June 19)

It’s likely that more states will join the exodus.

Update: There are 22 states opting out of the federal unemployment program as of May 20, 2021.

Image: Pepi Stojanovski on Unsplash

Grand re-opening sign
by David Klemt David Klemt No Comments

Which States are Reopening this Summer?

Which States are Reopening this Summer?

by David Klemt

Grand re-opening sign

Around one-third of America’s population is vaccinated fully and some states are easing restrictions.

Per the CDC, not exactly America’s favorite agency, more than 40 percent of Americans have received one Covid-19 vaccine shot. Just over 30 percent have completed the vaccine process.

So, which states are planning to reopen fully for Summer 2021? We have a list of some of the states that have made their plans to reopen 100 percent known so far.

California

The Golden State plans to reopen fully on June 15. According to doctors at the University of California San Francisco, the state is nearing herd immunity. However, Governor Gavin Newsom’s target date relies on two criteria:

  • Vaccine supply must be sufficient enough “for Californians 16 years and older who wish to” receive inoculation.
  • Hospitalization rates must remain low and stable.

Illinois

Per Mayor Lori Lightfoot, the plan is for the city of Chicago to be open 100 percent by July 4. Of course, that means reopening fully right in time for one of the biggest celebratory holidays of the year. However, Governor J.B. Pritzker says Illinois could reopen in as early as the start or middle of June.

Nevada

Governor Steve Sisolak plans for Nevada to reopen fully on June 1. That said, casinos in the Silver State have a slightly different timeline. With the exception of nightclubs, dayclubs and live performances, casinos will open 100 percent June 4 if all requirements are met.

New York

According to Mayor Bill de Blasio, the plan is to reopen New York City on July 1. Governor Andrew Cuomo hopes to reopen New York State fully before that date.

Texas

Governor Greg Abbott opened the state 100 percent back in March. However, judges in the state’s 22 counties still have the authority to impose Covid-19 mitigation strategies. Hospitalization rates in a particular county rising above 15-percent hospital bed capacity for seven days would be a triggering event.

As the vaccine rollout continues, it’s likely we’ll see more states announce Summer 2021 reopening plans. Still, operators should proceed with caution and remain in compliance with state, county and local Covid-19 rules. This is, after all, a fluid situation.

There’s light at the end of the tunnel but now’s not the time to be complacent.

Image: Tim Mossholder on Unsplash

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