Which states have happiest people — and what creates happiness?

If you remember the old childhood verse, “If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands,” then you know that some states have more to clap about than others. And more people clapping.

WalletHub just released its 2025 “Happiest States in America” report, a ranking based on 30 metrics from depression to getting enough sleep, safety to volunteer rates. The report looked at income growth, unemployment, feeling productive, sense of belonging and activity levels, among others.

Turns out the loudest clapping is in Hawaii, which ranks No. 1, and that folks in West Virginia just might be sitting on their hands, as they’re at the bottom of the list at No. 50. Washington, D.C. was not included in the rankings because it’s not a state.

Rounding out the top 10 happy states behind Hawaii are Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey, Connecticut, Utah, California, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Idaho.

“The intent of this study was to highlight how much where you live can influence overall happiness, especially during a time when many Americans are struggling with economic and social pressures. By examining key factors like mental and physical health, work conditions and community support, we’re able to point out which states create the strongest environments for well-being,” Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst and writer, told Deseret News. “Our goal is to give people and policymakers insights that can help improve their quality of life and make happiness more accessible, no matter which state you call home.”

WalletHub pointed to a Gallup poll that found that just 44% of Americans call themselves “very satisfied” with their life. Per Gallup, that’s a record low. Another 37% say they’re “somewhat” satisfied, so more than 8 in 10 are satisfied to some degree. Unrelated to WalletHub’s happiness report, the Gallup survey found that frequent churchgoers and wealthier adults are “most likely to be very satisfied.”

The new report notes that New Jersey has the lowest share of adult depression, while Vermonters are the most apt to get enough sleep. Meanwhile, New Mexico has the highest separation and divorce rate, while Rhode Island has the lowest volunteer rate. And the highest suicide rate per 100,000 residents is in Alaska, per the report.

Utah, while cracking the top 10 at No. 6 overall, takes top honors in a number of categories, including sports participation rate, fewest work hours, highest volunteer rate and lowest divorce rate. It’s also No. 5 for safest states, No. 6 for income growth, No. 9 for unemployed 15 weeks or longer, No. 15 for adults who feel active and productive and No. 18 on getting enough sleep.

West Virginia’s worst happiness ranking was not far ahead of Louisiana, Arkansas, Alabama, Alaska, Tennessee, New Mexico, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Colorado, which rounded out the bottom 10.

How states were evaluated

Utah’s top work environment and community and environment composite rankings are dragged down by the fact that the Beehive State ranks No. 25 in emotional and physical well-being. That is comprised of factors like how many adults are depressed, the suicide rate, physical health, adequate sleep and adverse childhood experiences, among others, using Gallup’s “State of the States” poll.

Physical and emotional well-being is worth 50 of the 100 total points a state can earn and like each of the 30 factors, it’s weighted. For instance, the career well-being factor has twice the weight of physical health and the share of adults with depression is worth four times the weight of physical health.

Meanwhile, under community and environment, the volunteer rate is worth half that of separation and divorce, while ideal weather is given three times the weight.

Experts chime in on happiness

The report also quoted experts on what it means to be happy or what contributes to happiness. They agree it’s largely how one views the world.

One’s perception is the most important thing, according to Jeanette M. Bennett, associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. “Each person creates their own sense of happiness based on past experiences and current circumstances, making it deeply individualistic,” she said. She added that when one’s idea of what life should be is aligned with what their life is really like, “people are generally happy.”

Poor physical or mental health, however, can make a negative difference, she said. And “social connection is a cornerstone of happiness,” though scale varies. Some people are happy with a small close circle of friends and others crave larger networks.

Samuel Kim, associate professor and director of clinical training in social work at Texas Woman’s University, believes happiness comes from a sense of meaning. “Once all of the essential needs are met — food, clothing, shelter — having a strong sense of meaning both in work as well as relationships is important."

While money matters for happiness, its value is finite, Alicia M. Walker, associate professor at Missouri State University, told WalletHub. “Studies show that having enough money to cover the basics we need like rent, groceries, health care and then having a small cushion for emergencies makes a huge difference in day-to-day well-being.”

But Walker notes that the happiness effect from money starts to taper off. Old research says happiness related to money levels off at about $75,000 a year, she said. Newer studies say money can still boost happiness, but by smaller amounts.

And “money alone doesn’t make us happy. Once our basic needs are covered, it’s our relationships and feeling like our work is meaningful and that our life is moving toward something that matters that brings us happiness,” Walker told WalletHub.