Minnesota topped the list of states in a job-creation ranking published this week by the national polling company Gallup, which surveyed workers about whether their employers were adding or laying off employees.
The survey, different from the state's monthly jobs report, found that nearly half of Minnesotans, or 46 percent, said their employers were hiring. Only 8 percent of workers said their employers were laying off workers.
Minnesota has appeared in Gallup's top 10 list of states in past surveys, but this year the state's steady economic growth propelled it to the top spot.
"I congratulate the hardworking people and businesses of Minnesota for achieving this national distinction," Gov. Mark Dayton said in a statement.
Minnesota's unemployment rate is 3.5 percent, and employers have added more than 40,000 jobs over the past year, according to state employment figures.
Joining Minnesota in the top five are Georgia, Utah, Delaware and Nebraska.
