Test Your IQ On The States

1. True or False: There are more payday lenders in Louisiana than McDonald's restaurants.

True

False

True. About 57,000 Louisiana households take out a payday loan each year. The state has 936 payday lenders and 230 McDonald’s. Nationwide, 12 million borrowers take out high-cost payday loans each year. (Source: Louisiana Budget Project)

Explanation

True. About 57,000 Louisiana households take out a payday loan each year. The state has 936 payday lenders and 230 McDonald’s. Nationwide, 12 million borrowers take out high-cost payday loans each year. (Source: Louisiana Budget Project)

2. True or False: One in 10 children has asthma.

True

False

True. Nationwide, 7 million children suffer from asthma, with a price tag for treatment of almost $12 billion each year. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Explanation

True. Nationwide, 7 million children suffer from asthma, with a price tag for treatment of almost $12 billion each year. (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

3. True or False: In Florida, more than six in 10 houses were paid for with cash.

True

False

True. A stunning 64 percent of all home sales in early 2014 in Florida were cash-only purchases. New York (59 percent) and Alabama (56 percent) rounded out the top three states. (Source: RealtyTrac)

Explanation

True. A stunning 64 percent of all home sales in early 2014 in Florida were cash-only purchases. New York (59 percent) and Alabama (56 percent) rounded out the top three states. (Source: RealtyTrac)

4. Which state attracted the most people who moved from state-to-state in the last three years?

Florida

Arizona

Texas

California

Answer: Texas. Between 2010 and 2013, Texas was the strongest people magnet, drawing more than 400,000 movers. Florida was second, followed by the Carolinas and Colorado. Texas is also home to half of the top 10 cities with significant growth: Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas. (Source: Census Bureau)

Explanation

Answer: Texas. Between 2010 and 2013, Texas was the strongest people magnet, drawing more than 400,000 movers. Florida was second, followed by the Carolinas and Colorado. Texas is also home to half of the top 10 cities with significant growth: Austin, San Antonio, Houston, Fort Worth and Dallas. (Source: Census Bureau)

5. True or False: The nation's labor participation rate (the number employed or actively looking) is higher than it has ever been.

True

False

False. Over the last five years, the national job participation rate has dropped to 63.2 percent—the lowest level since 1978. In 2008, as the recession kicked in, it was 66 percent. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Explanation

False. Over the last five years, the national job participation rate has dropped to 63.2 percent—the lowest level since 1978. In 2008, as the recession kicked in, it was 66 percent. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

6. Which state pays its legislators the most?

California

Maryland

New York

Florida

Answer: California. State legislators in the Golden State earn nearly $91,000 in salary each year, higher than in any other state in 2014. On the low end, New Hampshire’s part-time lawmakers make just $200 per two-year term. Find out how much your state’s legislators are paid and compare with other states in this Stateline data visualization. (Source: National Conference of State Legislatures)

Explanation

Answer: California. State legislators in the Golden State earn nearly $91,000 in salary each year, higher than in any other state in 2014. On the low end, New Hampshire’s part-time lawmakers make just $200 per two-year term. Find out how much your state’s legislators are paid and compare with other states in this Stateline data visualization. (Source: National Conference of State Legislatures)

7. Which state has raised college tuition more than 80 percent since the recession?

Arizona

Georgia

Alaska

West Virginia

Answer: Arizona has increased tuition at state colleges and universities by 80.6 percent since the 2007-2008 school year. In Florida and Georgia, tuition rose 66 percent. (Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

Explanation

Answer: Arizona has increased tuition at state colleges and universities by 80.6 percent since the 2007-2008 school year. In Florida and Georgia, tuition rose 66 percent. (Source: Center on Budget and Policy Priorities)

8. Where do property taxes make up the highest percentage of state and local taxes?

New Jersey

New York

Oregon

New Hampshire

Answer: New Hampshire. Property taxes in New Hampshire make up 63 percent of state and local tax collections, highest in the nation. Lowest? Delaware and North Dakota at about 16 percent. (Source: Tax Foundation)

Explanation

Answer: New Hampshire. Property taxes in New Hampshire make up 63 percent of state and local tax collections, highest in the nation. Lowest? Delaware and North Dakota at about 16 percent. (Source: Tax Foundation)

9. Which state has the highest percentage of manufacturing jobs?

Alabama

Indiana

Michigan

North Carolina

Answer: Indiana has the highest percentage of jobs in manufacturing, at 16.4 percent. Wisconsin is second at 16.1 percent. (Source: National Association of Manufacturers)

Explanation

Answer: Indiana has the highest percentage of jobs in manufacturing, at 16.4 percent. Wisconsin is second at 16.1 percent. (Source: National Association of Manufacturers)

10. Which state has the most highway miles with tolls?

Pennsylvania

New Jersey

Oklahoma

California

Answer: Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has jurisdiction over 606 miles of tolled roadway. New York is second with 570 miles and Pennsylvania third at 545 miles. (Source: International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association)

Explanation

Answer: Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has jurisdiction over 606 miles of tolled roadway. New York is second with 570 miles and Pennsylvania third at 545 miles. (Source: International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association)