In which U.S. states is the economic climate bleakest?

To find out, WalletHub compared the states and Washington, D.C.,in three key areas: economic activity, economic health, andinnovation potential. It identified 23 relevant metrics, rangingfrom GDP growth, exports per capita and business startup activityto the unemployment rate, the number of residents lacking healthinsurance, and the unfunded liability of its pension plans.

Add in such additional factors as the foreclosure rate, themedian annual household income, the immigration of U.S. knowledgeworkers, the number of independent-inventor patents, andentrepreneurial activity, and you get a picture of the state'soverall economic climate.