What states are operating at a surplus?

Many states are currently operating with budget surpluses, driven by strong revenue, with notable examples recently including Texas (record $24B), California (massive, though fluctuating), Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Tennessee, and Wisconsin, though figures vary by fiscal year (FY), and some, like Montana, consistently have surpluses, while others face deficits.

Which states are running a surplus?

Alaska accumulated the largest 15-year surplus (126.9%), followed by North Dakota (124.6%), Wyoming (120.4%), Utah (113.3%), and New Mexico (110.3%). Montana was the only state to end each of the 15 years examined with a surplus.

Which states are struggling financially?

As of mid-2025, recent studies by WalletHub https://finance.yahoo.com/news/florida-now-2nd-most-financially-190300951.html, WalletHub https://www.fox13news.com/news/states-have-most-people-financial-distress-study-finds, WFSB identify Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Nevada, and South Carolina as the most financially distressed states, based on metrics like credit scores, debt searches, and bankruptcy filings, with the South generally showing more struggles, while states like Hawaii, Vermont, and Alaska fare best.
 

When was the last time the US operated on a surplus?

The last time the U.S. had a federal budget surplus was in Fiscal Year (FY) 2001, during the Clinton administration, marking the final of four consecutive surpluses (1998-2001) driven by a strong economy and increased tax revenues. Since then, the U.S. has consistently run budget deficits, with significant deficits occurring in recent years.
 

Which US states are financially stable?

• Utah. #1 in Fiscal Stability. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• Delaware. #2 in Fiscal Stability. #18 in Best States Overall. ...
• New York. #3 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Iowa. #4 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Georgia. #5 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Nebraska. #6 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Tennessee. #7 in Fiscal Stability. ...
• Idaho. #8 in Fiscal Stability.

What Causes A State Budget Surplus? - State Policy Experts

Which states are not running a deficit?

The top “sinkhole states” — states lacking the funds to cover their costs — were New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, and California. Conversely, 25 states touted a surplus of funds relative to their total costs and debts. The top surplus states were North Dakota, Alaska, Wyoming, Utah and Tennessee.

Which US state has the strongest economy?

There isn't one single "best" state, as it depends on metrics, but California leads in overall economic size (highest GDP), while Texas, Florida, and North Carolina often rank high for growth, business climate, and momentum due to factors like lower taxes, population booms, and strong tech/energy sectors. States like New York, Massachusetts, and Washington excel in GDP per capita, indicating high output per person. 

Who owns over 70% of the US debt?

No single entity owns over 70% of U.S. debt, but roughly 70-80% is held domestically by U.S. investors and institutions like the Federal Reserve, Social Security, mutual funds, and banks, with the rest held by foreign investors, mainly Japan, China, and the U.K. It's a mix of internal (government-to-government) and public (investors) holdings, with domestic investors holding the largest share of the public debt.
 

Did Trump have a surplus in June?

The U.S. Treasury has reported a budget surplus of $27 billion for the month of June—the first time since 2017. This is excellent news for our economy and a signal that President Trump's pro-growth policies are on the right track!

Who was the last president to balance the US budget?

The last President to oversee balanced federal budgets (with surpluses) was Bill Clinton, from fiscal years 1998 through 2001, a rare achievement in recent history marked by higher revenues and spending cuts. Before Clinton, the last balanced budget was under Lyndon B. Johnson in 1969, with Richard Nixon also seeing a balanced budget in 1969, though Clinton's four consecutive surpluses are notable. 

What state is #1 in poverty?

Mississippi consistently ranks as the state with the highest poverty rate in the U.S., often followed by states like Louisiana, New Mexico, and West Virginia, according to World Population Review data from late 2024/early 2025 and U.S. Census data cited by FCNL and Visual Capitalist. Factors contributing to Mississippi's high poverty include low median household income, lower educational attainment, and higher rates of child poverty, though rates have seen some improvement over the years.
 

How many Americans have $50,000 in their savings account?

Personal Savings in the U.S.

18 percent said their saving were at least $1000 but under $10,000, while 11 percent each had $10,000 to $49,999 and $50,000 or more saved up.

Is $40,000 a year considered poverty?

$40,000 a year isn't technically "poverty" for a single person in most areas (as it's above the federal poverty level), but it's a tight budget in high-cost cities, qualifying as lower-middle class in many places, and struggles to support families, especially in expensive areas, though it can be comfortable in low-cost regions or for individuals with no dependents. 

Which US state is in the most debt?

California has the most total state and local government debt, exceeding $1 trillion when including local entities, but states like Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York rank highest in debt per capita (per person) due to large unfunded pension and retiree healthcare liabilities. Different metrics (total debt vs. per capita debt) highlight different leaders, but California consistently leads in total dollar amount, while smaller states often have higher per-person burdens.
 

Can I legally refuse to pay federal taxes?

Yes, it is illegal to intentionally not pay federal taxes; it's considered tax evasion, a criminal offense with penalties including fines and prison time, despite the system being called "voluntary" because citizens are required by law (the Internal Revenue Code) to file and pay, with the IRS enforcing compliance through severe civil and criminal actions. 

Is the US in trouble financially?

Yes, the U.S. faces significant financial challenges, primarily driven by a massive national debt (over 120% of GDP) and rising interest costs, leading to concerns about long-term fiscal stability, although the economy shows mixed signals with recent growth and low unemployment alongside high inflation and shaky consumer confidence. While some economists warn of potential crises if spending isn't controlled, others point to the economy's resilience, creating uncertainty about the future path. 

Is the economy better under Republican presidents?

Since World War II, according to many economic metrics including job creation, GDP growth, stock market returns, personal income growth, and corporate profits, the United States economy has performed significantly better on average under the administrations of Democratic presidents than Republican presidents.

How much money has been made from Trump's tariffs?

Thanks To President Trump, CBP announces record-breaking $200 billion in tariff revenue. WASHINGTON—Between Jan. 20 and Dec. 15, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection collected more than $200 billion in tariffs thanks to more than 40 executive orders put in place by President Donald Trump's Administration.

Who was the last president to have a surplus?

Below are the budgetary results for President Clinton's two terms in office: He had budget surpluses for fiscal years 1998–2001, the only such years from 1970 to 2023. Clinton's final four budgets were balanced budgets with surpluses, beginning with the 1997 budget.

What percent of Americans are 100% debt free?

Roughly 23% of Americans are completely debt-free, according to recent Federal Reserve data, though figures vary slightly by source and definition, with some showing nearly half (around 43%) having no unsecured debt (like credit cards/loans) and younger generations (Gen Z) being more likely to be debt-free than older ones. While a mortgage isn't always counted, this 23% figure generally includes all debt types (mortgage, student, auto, credit card). 

Who does Canada owe money to?

Who are the creditors of this debt? The debt is made up of government bonds held by individuals and financial institutions, mostly Canadian (around two-thirds of Canadian government securities are held by Canadian investors, such as insurance companies, pension funds, and financial institutions).

Is Texas GDP bigger than Canada?

If Texas were a country, it would be the eighth-largest economy in the world, ahead of Canada and even Russia. In 2022, Texas' gross domestic product (GDP) — the total market value of all finished goods and services — totaled $2.4 trillion.

Who has the best economy in the world?

1. United States. The United States' GDP is the world's largest, being worth over a quarter of global output in nominal GDP terms. Moreover, it has among the world's highest GDP per capita.