North Dakota Tops State Fiscal Rankings With $21 Billion Surplus as 24 States Fall Short
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 15
North Dakota Tops State Fiscal Rankings With $21 Billion Surplus as 24 States Fall Short
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 15
Summary
North Dakota finished fiscal 2025 with $21 billion more than needed to pay its bills, giving it the top spot in Truth in Accounting's 2026 state financial health rankings.
A $72,300 taxpayer surplus reflected the state's cushion, which the report tied to oil-driven revenue, its Legacy Fund, strong investment earnings and federal grants that offset weaker oil, gas and coal tax collections.
Alaska, Wyoming, Utah and Tennessee followed North Dakota, with taxpayer surpluses ranging from $11,400 in Tennessee to North Dakota's nation-leading level.
Twenty-four states lacked enough available assets to cover obligations; New Jersey ranked last with a $162.3 billion shortfall, equal to a $45,800 taxpayer burden.
The report said stronger balance sheets matter in downturns, even as states still carried $775 billion in unfunded pensions and $490 billion in retiree health liabilities in fiscal 2025.