A profile of Virginia is presented, which assesses trends in the state's economy, population, and educational system. The state is characterized by a diverse economy, a well-educated suburban middle-class majority, a high level of individual and state wealth, and a high level of work force participation. Problems include rural poverty, lack of…

A profile of Washington is presented, which examines trends in the state's economy, environment, population, and educational system. A contradiction exists between the state's beautiful scenery and well-educated population and its high crime and suicide rates. The state is characterized by a highly educated work force, a less diversified economy,…

Wyoming is a state of great natural beauty with only five people per square mile and a unique way of life that deserves to be preserved. The economy, though, is almost totally dependent on energy extraction, an area that has not done well of late. The state's small population makes "boutique" products and services not very profitable,…

New York State is a good example of a diversified economy for a diversified population. Minority middle classes can be found in many places in the state, which has relied heavily on education as a policy tool to increase its human potential resources. Just as the middle of the income scale has been declining nationally, so New York's education…

A profile of Colorado is provided, which examines trends in the state's economy, environment, population, crime, and education. The state is characterized by a lack of economic diversity, ecological vulnerability, and concentrated population. Although the work force is generally well educated, Hispanic Americans tend to be less successful in…

Connecticut is small, densely populated, and very urban; its residents are typically well educated and wealthy. The state's diverse economy allows it to ride through recessions with ease. Housing costs are so high, though, that some of the benefits of the high income levels are negated. The state's population is the fourth oldest in the nation…

It is easy to perceive Pennsylvania as a state in decline, but that would be a big mistake. While its population total has dropped from fourth largest in 1980 to fifth largest in 1987, Pennsylvania is still one of the 10 states in the nation that contain half of the country's residents. The state's two major metropolitan areas, Pittsburgh and…

In Minnesota, democracy really works. A higher percentage of voters go to the polls, the business leaders genuinely care about the community, and the legislature works harder than most to provide for the people's welfare. Behind all of this is an energetic, well-educated citizenry who pay fairly high taxes and receive excellent services in return.…

Delaware is a good example of the falsity of the old notion that small is simple. Although a small state in terms of population, its social systems and bureaucracies can be complex indeed. Delaware has been unusually popular with American businesses, leading to more Fortune 500 companies being incorporated there than in any other state. The…

The more diversified the economy, the greater Texas's possibilities for security and stability. The state cannot diversify the job and business structure unless there is an educational system prepared to develop Texas's human resources to their fullest. The state's population will be over 40 percent minority by the end of the century, and student…

Ohio is both very large and very urban. Like other midwestern states, it has been undergoing a number of major changes simultaneously, including: (1) a white population decline and an increase in minorities; (2) severe economic disruption and increased unemployment due to the downturn in manufacturing; (3) a lack of "high end" service…

Michigan's "rust bowl" days are over. Although the work force is still too dependent on auto manufacturing, the economy is diversifying into trade, distribution, and financial and business services. The new jobs created are mostly in small businesses with fewer than 50 employees. The state's population is very stable with few migrations…

Arkansas has a small, rural, undereducated population; few people move either in or out. Youth poverty is a major state problem, affecting the white and black and the rural and urban residents alike. The state's economy needs more diversification as there is little activity in the well-paying end of the service sector at the present; however,…

Kentucky is a state of extreme contrasts in virtually every area of human endeavor. Although it is a southern state, its black population is small and growing very slowly. The rich and the poor people are unequally distributed throughout the state. Because only half of the adults possess a high school diploma, one can assume that many Kentuckians…