SALT LAKE CITY — When celebrating the Fourth of July holiday this weekend, Utahns can take special pride as they sing the Star-Spangled Banner.
There are 50 states in the U.S., but according to a new study, none are as independent and self-sustaining as the Beehive State.
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The WalletHub study aims to show which states are the most self-reliant and the least dependent on the government and other sources. Five sources of dependency were measured: consumer finances, the government, the job market, international trade and personal vices.
When factoring in all categories, Utah ranked No. 1 in independence and it wasn't that close. Colorado finished second, nearly three points behind, while Nebraska was third.
Here's how Utah finished in each category:
- Financial Dependency: 20th
- Government Dependency: 2nd
- Job-Market Dependency: 2nd
- Int'l Trade Dependency: 25th
- Vice Dependency: 6th
Among individual metrics, Utah made the top 5 in least federally dependent state, lowest unemployment rate, lowest percentage of adult drug users, lowest percentage of adult binge drinkers and lowest percentage of households receiving public assistance.
READ: Salt Lake City best place to start a career
MOST INDEPENDENT U.S. STATES:
- UTAH
- Colorado
- Nebraska
- Virginia
- Kansas
- Idaho
- South Dakota
- Washington
- Minnesota
- Delaware
