As the end of the year approaches and Americans with surplus income consider how they might allocate it, how and what to contribute is a much discussed topic. As it turns out, not all states are created equal where generosity--not just of "treasure" but also of time--is concerned. The ones most focused on giving back, in either capacity, may surprise you.
To determine the most generous states in the U.S., personal finance site WalletHub considered eight metrics, including volunteer rate, percentage of taxpayers in each state who donated to charity, the number of public charities per 10,000 residents, and the growth in charitable giving.
The ranking also takes into consideration the percentage of the population of each state who claimed to have donated time as well as those who claimed to have donated money, and the percentage of adjusted gross income donated.
At the top of the list once again is Utah. The Beehive State has the highest volunteer rate, the highest percentage of donated income, and the highest percentages of people who claim to have donated time and money. The state maintains its top slot despite also having one of the lowest numbers of charities per capita.
Maryland comes in second, with one of the highest percentages of residents that claim to have donated money. Idaho, with one of the highest volunteer rates, comes in third, with Oregon and South Dakota rounding out the top five.
At the other end of the spectrum, Rhode Island comes in dead last, with one of the lowest percentages of donated income, though it also has one of the highest percentages of residents who claim to have given money.
Louisiana, with one of the lowest volunteer rates, is next to last, with California following close behind. Arizona, with one of the lowest percentages of residents who claim to have donated time, and Kentucky, with among the lowest percentages of people who claim to have donated time and money round out the bottom five.
To view the full ranking of the Most and Least Charitable States in the U.S., click here.
In pictures: The 10 Most And Least Charitable States In The U.S.
