New Jersey
New Jersey, Delaware among top 10 happiest states in America, according to new study
WILMINGTON, DE – OCTOBER 29: Delaware turnpike sign in Wilmington, Delaware on October 29, 1981. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA – While residents of the Garden State were just recently ranked as some of the rudest in the country, a new study says New Jersey and Delaware are two of the happiest states in America,
A new study, published by WalletHub, examined all 50 states across 30 key metrics, ranging from the depression rate to income growth to the unemployment rate.
The research team used the data to determine the happiest states in America in 2024.
“The happiest states are those that provide above-average quality of life in a wide variety of areas, from strong state economies and high quality physical and mental health care to adequate amounts of leisure time and good weather,” Chip Lupo, a WalletHub analyst, said in a statement.
Here is the list of the top ten happiest states in America according to the study:
- Hawaii
- Maryland
- New Jersey
- Utah
- Delaware
- Minnesota
- Connecticut
- Idaho
- Nebraska
- Massachusetts
New Jersey ranked as the third-happiest state, with the lowest share of people reporting traumatic events during their childhood and the second-highest life satisfaction rate.
According to Wallet Hub, the Garden State has the third-lowest separation and divorce rate in the country, at around 17%.
New Jersey also has the third-highest share of households earning over $75,000 per year and the sixth-lowest food insecurity rate, the website says.
See a full list of the happiest states in America in 2024 here.
Some of the biggest matches of the 2026 World Cup, from group stage showdowns to the blockbuster final, will unfold at MetLife Stadium, bringing the biggest stars in soccer to New York and New Jersey this summer.
Home to the NFL’s New York Giants and New York Jets, MetLife Stadium plays host to eight World Cup games, the second-most of any venue across the 16 host cities throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Five group stage matches, featuring the likes of Brazil, France, England and Germany, take center stage before the knockout stage brings a round of 32 and then a round of 16 clash to East Rutherford. The final on July 19 headlines the stadium’s fixtures, where over 82,000 people will be in attendance to watch the 2026 world champion crowned.
So many must-see matches promises blinding star power coming through New York and New Jersey, with five of the sport’s best players all guaranteed to feature in at least one game at MetLife Stadium.
1. Kylian Mbappé (France)
Match in NY/NJ: France vs. Senegal, June 16
It feels only right to start with the reigning World Cup Golden Boot winner Kylian Mbappé. The forward picked up the individual honor, as well as a runners-up medal, back in 2022 when France fell short against Argentina in Qatar.
Four years after the disappointing finish and eight years after Les Bleus won their second World Cup title, Didier Deschamps’s men are back on the world stage with one of the most ferocious attacks in soccer, led by Mbappé. Despite the 27-year-old’s turbulent time at Real Madrid, he comes into the tournament off the back of a 42-goal season, looking fully free of the knee injury that hindered his 2025–26.
Mbappé was held quiet in France’s two tune-up friendlies, but it’s only a matter of time before he gets back on the scoresheet, and he has his first opportunity to do so at MetLife Stadium against Senegal. Should he bag a brace, Mbappé will become France’s all-time leading goalscorer.
2. Harry Kane (England)
Match in NY/NJ: Panama vs. England, June 27
Speaking of prolific goalscorers, Harry Kane is also set to play at MetLife Stadium in the group stage when England face off with Panama. The No. 9 scored a staggering 61 goals for Bayern Munich in 2025–26, a career-best haul ahead of the biggest tournament of his life.
The Three Lions are one of the pre-tournament favorites, desperate to claim their first major honor since 1966. They have come close to an ever-elusive piece of silverware, most recently finishing as the runners-up at the last two European championships, but nothing would be sweeter than lifting the golden World Cup trophy this summer.
So much of England’s hopes rest on Kane’s shoulders, but there is likely no player in the world Thomas Tuchel would rather leading his line than the captain, who is in the form of his life at age 32.
3. Vinicius Junior (Brazil)
Match in NY/NJ: Brazil vs. Morocco, June 13
Brazil vs. Morocco is one of the rare group stage matches that has stars on both teams. Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Díaz lead the way for the visitors while Vinicius Junior and Neymar Jr headline Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.
Brazil’s all-time leading scorer is undoubtedly the biggest draw, having earned a call-up for the World Cup that sent the country into pandemonium. Yet another injury setback likely rules Neymar out of the team’s opener at MetLife, leaving Vinicius Jr to take the spotlight, something he’s more than used to after eight seasons at Real Madrid.
The electrifying winger has struggled to produce in a yellow shirt, but he is not lacking in confidence after tallying 32 goal contributions for Los Blancos last season. Vinicius Jr also hit the ground running with the Seleção, bagging a sensational goal and assist in the team’s 6–2 rout over Panama, a performance he will hope to replicate under the lights as Brazil pursue a record-extending sixth World Cup title.
4. Erling Haaland (Norway)
Match in NY/NJ: Norway vs. Senegal, June 22
Along with the biggest names in La Liga and the Bundesliga, MetLife Stadium is also hosting one of the faces of the Premier League in Erling Haaland. The striker will lead Norway when it takes on Senegal in a clash that could decide the final standings in Group I.
Haaland is coming off a particularly draining last 12 months at Manchester City, where he made 56 appearances stemming back to last summer’s Club World Cup. Still, he found the back of the net 41 times and added another Premier League Golden Boot to his trophy cabinet.
Unlike at the club level, Haaland does not have the supporting cast on Norway to pick him up if he has a quiet night. The 25-year-old must be at his best in every match if he wants to lead his country to the round of 16, its best-ever World Cup finish, and perhaps even beyond.
5. Jamal Musiala
Match in NY/NJ: Ecuador vs. Germany, June 25
Germany’s last two World Cup campaigns ended in disastrous group-stage exits, nowhere near the standard of a country with four stars above its crest. Jamal Musiala was just a teenager when he made his World Cup debut in Qatar, but now he is back with more experience and trophies under his belt to help Die Mannschaft eradicate its recent failures.
The Bayern Munich star is fully recovered from the horror fractured fibula and dislocated ankle he suffered last summer, ready to have a tournament to remember. So much of Germany’s prowess relies on the dribbling and quick feet of the attacking midfielder, who is known to curl in a strike from distance if the moment calls.
In fact, Musiala just recently made his first appearance for the national team in nearly two years and scored on his return, helping Germany claim a 4–0 win over Finland in its first tune-up friendly. The real pressure comes on the world stage, but the 23-year-old is never one to shy away from the moment.
READ THE LATEST WORLD CUP NEWS, ANALYSIS AND INSIGHT FROM SI FC
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Jersey Shore rip currents account for more than 80% of ocean rescues
On average, about 100 people die every year from getting stuck in rip currents. Here’s what you need to know.
A New Jersey beach in Gloucester County is under a swim advisory due to high levels of bacteria, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection.
Pet and wildlife waste, stormwater outflow pipes, as well as leaky sewer and septic systems are all common causes of water pollution. The state environmental agency monitors bacteria levels at more than 400 beaches and swimming sites around New Jersey each summer.
The department issued the swim advisory on June 10 at Monroe’s Timber Lakes Beach in Gloucester County, where levels of E. coli were double New Jersey’s safe swimming standard.
That same day, the environmental department lifted an earlier advisory on swimming at North Wildwood’s beach near 2nd Avenue and John F. Kennedy Beach Drive. Bacterial levels of enterococcus that exceeded safe swim standards on June 8 had returned to low levels by June 9, according to a second round of water tests shared by the department. Test results were not available until June 10.
Both enterococcus and E. coli are types of bacteria found in the intestines and feces of humans and animals. The microbes are used as indicator species to help health experts determine if other illness-cause viruses, parasites and other pathogens are likely present in water.
People with weakened immune systems, elderly adults and young children are most likely to become ill from swimming in contaminated water. The most common symptoms of swimming-related illnesses are diarrhea, skin rashes, flu-like symptoms, eye or lung irritation and ear infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Amanda Oglesby covers education and the environment. Reach her at aoglesby@app.com or 732-557-5701.
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The basics:
Ahead of Linda Doherty‘s planned January 2027 retirement as the leader of the New Jersey Food Council, the business trade association is looking for her replacement.
The Trenton-based group announced the launch of a nationwide search for its next president and CEO in a June 8 press release.
The kickoff comes four months after Doherty announced she would step down following more than two decades at the helm of the NJFC.
Altogether, New Jersey’s food distribution industry represents more than $157 billion in value. As part of its mission, the NJFC serves as the industry’s primary advocate before state legislators, regulators, coalition partners, media and the public.
Under her leadership, the group has grown to represent almost 400 entities. Members collectively employ more than 200,000 workers across retail food stores, wholesalers, manufacturing and service companies in the state.
Recent accomplishments include leadership on:
Getting things done
As the face of NJFC, Doherty is well known among national food retailers, Trenton’s political circles and communities across the state.
During her time with the organization, Doherty has notched many legislative victories. Watermarks include winning gift card litigation that went before the U.S. Supreme Court, overcoming the Superstorm Sandy crisis and preventing a New Jersey “bottle bill”.
NJBIZ has also recognized Doherty many times, including on the 2026 Power List.
The NJFC believes its next president and CEO “will inherit a financially stable, politically connected and highly respected organization.” The group also noted its “engaged board and a sophisticated membership base that includes many of the region’s most recognized food industry companies.”
ISO: Relationship builder
According to the NJFC, the new leader will oversee areas including operations, membership, sponsorships, communications, staff leadership, events, financial management and organizational strategy. They’ll report to the board of directors.
NJFC Chair Jason Read said, “We are looking for a leader who understands the complexity of our operating environment, who can build and sustain relationships at the highest levels, and who will carry this organization forward with the same credibility and effectiveness that has been our hallmark for decades. This is a defining moment for NJFC, and we are committed to finding the right person to lead us into our next chapter.”
The organization has engaged Stanton Chase International on the executive search. The timeline announced earlier this year initially called to have a successor in place by this fall to begin the transition. A spokesperson for the NJFC told NJBIZ that schedule remains on track.
Think you’re a fit?
Interested candidates should contact Stanton Chase National Search Director Rosemary Gantz via:
Stanton Chase National Search Director Rosemary Gantz said, “This is a meaningful leadership opportunity for an executive who wants to operate at the intersection of business, advocacy, and public policy in one of New Jersey’s most complex and essential industries.”
She went on, “NJFC enters this search from a position of real strength, and the right candidate will have an extraordinary platform from which to make a lasting impact in New Jersey.”
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