Research company Gallup gave Minnesota the nation’s top slot in its job creation index for 2015. Minnesota dethroned North Dakota, which has taken top honors in the annual study each of the last six years.
 
“This is the first time Minnesota has ranked number one in this reputable study,” said Governor Dayton in a statement. “I congratulate the hard-working people and businesses of Minnesota for achieving this national distinction.”
 
The Gallup Job Creation Index is determined by worker reports of hiring or downsizing at their company. The percentage that say their company is downsizing is subtracted from those who report hiring activity. Minnesota received a score of 38. An average of 46 percent of working Minnesotans said their place of employment was hiring throughout 2015 compared to 8 percent of Minnesotans who said their employer was letting workers go.
 
Georgia and Utah tied for second place at 36, while Delaware, Nebraska, Nevada and Oregon each scored 35. The average score was a 30 (42 percent hiring, 12 percent letting go) with Alaska placing last in the nation at 12.
 
Gallup noted the state’s low rate of unemployment, last reported at 3.5 percent, was in part due to such strong job growth. Over the course of 2015, Minnesota added more than 42,000 jobs, with the largest job gains in education and health, leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services.
 
“Minnesota’s strong and growing economy is a credit to our hard-working people, and the many innovative businesses across our great state,” said Lt. Governor Tina Smith in a statement. “Still, we have more work to do to build an economy that works for all Minnesotans, in every region of our state. We are committed to continuing that important work.”
 
This isn’t the only honor Minnesota received in 2015. Last June, CNBC crowned Minnesota as the Top State for Business in the U.S.