A new study ranks Iowa as the nation’s eighth strongest state. Iowa fell from seventh a year ago in the review by Politico Magazine. The survey uses federal data showing Iowa boasts the nation’s sixth lowest unemployment rate, the seventh-highest percentage of high school graduates, and the 16th lowest violent crime rate. On the negative side, Iowa is among 11 states with obesity rates above 30-percent. New Hampshire is ranked as the “strongest” state by Politico. Louisiana is as the bottom of the list.

(Radio Iowa)