Study highlights the best, worst states for women

We’re at the start of March and we all know that this month is all about women.

It’s Women’s History Month and women are outnumbering men in all but nine states.

Financial website Wallethub conducted an in-depth analysis of 2016’s Best and Worst States for Women.

Deborah Clubb is with the Memphis Area Women’s Council and stopped by to talk about the most women friendly states.

Comparing the Best & Worst

• The District of Columbia has the highest median earnings for female workers (adjusted for cost of living), $34,241, which is two times greater than in Hawaii, the state with the lowest, $18,434.
• The District of Columbia has the highest unemployment rate for women, 8.4 percent, which is three times greater than in North Dakota, the state with the lowest, 2.8 percent.
• Mississippi has the highest percentage of women living in poverty, 24.8 percent, which is three times greater than in New Hampshire, the state with the lowest, 9.7 percent.
• Alaska has the highest share of women-owned businesses, 22.87 percent, which is two times greater than in South Dakota, the state with the lowest, 14.04 percent.
• Arizona has the highest high school dropout rate for women, 7.20 percent, which is eight times greater than in New Hampshire, the state with the lowest, 0.90 percent.
• The District of Columbia has the highest percentage of women who voted in the 2012 presidential election, 78.60 percent, which is two times greater than in West Virginia, the state with the lowest, 48.20 percent.
• Texas has the highest female uninsured rate, 21 percent, which is seven times greater than in Massachusetts, the state with the lowest, 2.90 percent.
• South Carolina has the highest female homicide rate per 100,000 females, 2.32, which is five times greater than in South Dakota, the state with the lowest, 0.48.