NORTH CAROLINA -- Bad news for those living in the Tar Heel State. A recent study has named North Carolina as one of the top 15 worst states in which to live in the United States.
Financial news and opinion website 24/7 Wall St. ranks North Carolina 37th on their list of best and worst states to live.
The study looked at three main socioecominic factors: poverty rate, educational attainment and life expectancy at birth.
Although North Carolina has had tremendous population growth over the last 10 years, at 19.4 percent, the sixth highest in the nation, and it boasts relatively low costs for goods and services compared to the rest of the nation, the state falls short when it comes to individual financial prosperity.
According to the study, the state's median household income is $47,830 a year, which is $8,000 lower than the national median income. Also, North Carolina's poverty rate is the 12th highest in the nation at 16.4 percent.
Additionally, North Carolina's average life expectancy rate is 13th lowest in the nation at 77.4 years.
Southern states Mississippi, West Virginia and Louisiana were named worst in the nation, while northern states Massachusetts, Connecticut and New Hampshire took the top spots.
To see the full list, visit 24/7 Wall St.'s America's Best States to Live In list.