This massive survey was based on more than 350,000 interviews, each lasting about 15 minutes each.

The survey tried to measure a person's well-being. It looked at physical health and eating habits, but it was more than physical. It also examined one's ability to contribute at work, being more productive and wanting to improve the community, Gallup spokesman Eric Nielsen said.

In all fairness, there really isn't a lot of difference in the average numbers of the 50 states. It's only an eight-point difference between No. 1 Utah and No. 50 West Virginia.

So, with a score of only 69 of 100, even top-ranked Utah has a lot more happiness to seek for.

The Gallup poll results can be broken down by ZIP code or even congressional districts. Researchers hope their findings can assist employees in bolstering more productive, happy workers.

For more information on the poll, go to: www.ahiphiwire.org.

Top five states for happiness:

1. Utah, 69.2
2. Hawaii, 68.2
3. Wyoming, 68.0
4. (tie ) Colorado and Minnesota, 67.3.

Bottom 5 states:

50. West Virginia, 61.2.
49. Kentucky, 61.4.
48. Mississippi, 61.9
47. Ohio, 62.8
46. Arkansas, 62.9 Source: Gallup research.

Contributing: Joseph M. Dougherty; Associated Press.

E-mail: lynn@desnews.com