CNBC Ranks America’s Top States for Business, Virginia Falls from First to Fourth
Virginia has dropped from first to fourth place in CNBC’s annual “Top States for Business” rankings.
While still outperforming the national average, a slight rise in unemployment, particularly among federal workers, signaled a modest economic softening. That shift was enough for North Carolina to claim the top spot. Maryland slipped one position to 32nd, while Delaware jumped from 34th to 29th.
Now in its 19th year, CNBC’s rankings evaluate all 50 states using 135 metrics across 10 key categories. Each category is weighted based on how often states highlight it in economic development efforts. In 2025, the top priority was the economy.
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