#39 Vermont

Governor: Peter Shumlin (D)

Population: 626,431

GDP (per capita): $36,665

Number of S&P companies: 0

Top corporate tax rate: 8.50 percent

Top individual tax rate: 8.95 percent

Gasoline taxes/fees: 25.5 cents

Bond Rating/Outlook: Aaa/Stable

SAT scores (average): 1538/2400

Degree Granting Institutions (colleges/universities): 24

Sources: Census Bureau (2011), Standard & Poor's (2012), Tax Foundation (2012), American Petroleum Institute (2012), Bureau Labor Statistics (2011), National Center For Education Statistics (2011), Moody's (2012), CNBC