Mississippi Named As One of the Unhappiest States -- And COVID Isn't Helping

Generally speaking, Americans are experiencing some of their lowest lows. Unsurprisingly, a recent poll found that only 14% of U.S. residents say they're currently very happy -- the lowest rate of happiness reported since the same survey was taken in 1972. And while the novel coronavirus and the current political climate may take the brunt of the blame, there may be other factors at play. What's more, your level of happiness may well depend on where you live. Around 24% of consumers discover they're a victim of identity fraud by accident -- and such a discovery will never result in pure elation. But interestingly, personal finances aren't being cited as a reason for unhappiness. On a larger scale, Americans are now less optimistic about their standard of living and report higher levels of stress and loneliness. Of course, COVID has also taken a toll on personal relationships. This is something that many experts anticipated, but we're now starting to see some of the effects. Although every state has its own rules for divorce decrees (in Pennsylvania, for example, one spouse needs to live in-state for at least six months before filing for divorce), certain states have also seen their divorce rates increase thanks to the pandemic. Although the spousal right of election entitles a spouse to claim one-third of their spouse's estate, that hasn't stopped Mississippi couples from filing for divorce. In fact, LegalTemplates found that Mississippi led the way in divorce among the Southern states this year -- which is no small feat, considering that the rate of divorce in the south was two to three times higher than that in other regions in the United States. The Magnolia State also comes out on top for some other not-so-great reasons. At the end of September, WalletHub ranked Mississippi toward the very bottom of the list of happiest states, coming in 44 out of 50. Mississippi was also noted for its low sports participation and volunteer rates, along with its high divorce rates and subpar safety ratings. For those who are proud to call Mississippi home, this news might not be welcome. But as the state's COVID-19 cases surpass 116,000 and many residents resisting health and safety protocols, the reported levels of happiness among residents here may not enjoy a widespread upswing until the virus can be properly controlled.