This popular annual rankings reference includes comprehensive statistics that make it easy to compare states in factors such as education, health, crime, transportation, taxes, government and finance. State Rankings has become a favorite recourse on reference shelves throughout the United States and around the world. The experienced research team has updated these rankings using a range of sources that are included in each table. A detailed introduction and methodology are included for context.

In more than 500 tables, State Rankings 2012 compares every state and Washington, DC, in the following areas:

-Agriculture

-Population

-Economy

-Environment

-Government finance

-Crime

-Education

-Geography

-Social welfare

-Defence

-Health

-Energy

-Housing