North Dakota workers were most likely to report their employers were hiring workers rather than letting workers go in 2011. All states showed positive scores on Gallup's Job Creation Index, with Rhode Island's +4 the lowest.
Seven in 10 owners say they would hire temporary, contract, or part-time workers
February 7, 2012
More U.S. small-business owners intend to increase (22%) than decrease (8%) the number of jobs at their company in the next year, the biggest margin in four years, according to the new Wells Fargo/Gallup Small Business Index survey.
Americans' optimism about future direction of economy pushes index higher
February 7, 2012
Americans' confidence in the economy improved for the fifth month in a row in January, with Gallup's Economic Confidence Index reaching -27, its highest point since May of last year. Confidence is improving across all income groups.
For disengaged workers, long commutes linked to higher stress levels
February 7, 2012
Long commute times are linked to more stress and worry for American workers who are unhappy in their jobs. For those who are engaged at work, this is not the case.
A review of key indicators that could help determine the outcome
February 6, 2012
Gallup editors review the key indicators that are likely to determine the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, putting the current data into historical context.
Residents of the District of Columbia and North Dakota expressed the most confidence in the U.S. economy last year, while those in West Virginia and Maine expressed the least. Economic confidence declined in all states last year.
State patterns in ideology largely stable compared with previous years
February 3, 2012
Mississippi, Utah, Wyoming, and Alabama are the four most conservative states in the U.S., each with 50% or more of its population identifying as conservative. The District of Columbia and Massachusetts are the most liberal states.
Average $63 in daily spending in January is down from $76 in December
February 3, 2012
Americans' self-reported retail spending dropped by a predictable amount in January compared with December, as consumers pulled back from their elevated spending levels over the holiday season.
Seventeen states solidly or leaning Republican, up from 10 in 2010
February 2, 2012
Seventeen states showed a Republican advantage in party affiliation of at least five points in 2011, up from 10 in 2010 and 5 in 2008. Meanwhile, 19 states including D.C. showed a similar Democratic advantage, with 15 competitive.
