Add in such additional factors as the foreclosure rate, the median annual household income, the immigration of U.S. knowledge workers, the number of independent-inventor patents, and entrepreneurial activity, and you get a picture of the state's overall economic climate.

States were ranked based on WalletHub's calculation of the overall score for each state using the weighted average across all metrics.

Related: 10 states with the best economies

Here's a look at the 10 states that finished at the bottom of the heap.

Hawaii came in 10^th from the bottom because, among other things, its economic activity rank placed it at 50. (Photo: AP)

10. Hawaii

Often touted as a retiree's paradise—if you can afford its higher-than-average taxes and cost of living—Hawaii came in 10^th from the bottom because, among other things, its economic activity rank placed it at 50—while, surprisingly, its export rate per capita was even lower: the lowest in the nation.For economic health, the state ranked 17^th, but for innovation potential it only made 39^th place.

It also ranked 44^th in venture capital funding per capita and 49^th in the percentage of jobs in high-tech industries—although who goes to Hawaii for tech? Unemployment isn't a problem in the state, though; it tied for fifth place with North Dakota for the lowest unemployment rate in the country.

The horses are beautiful in Oklahoma, but the state's 39^th place finish for economic activity isn't great. (Photo: AP)

9. Oklahoma

The wind may come sweeping down the plain here, but a 39^th place finish for economic activity isn't great. Neither is a 42^nd place ranking for economic health or a 46^th place ranking for innovation potential.

The state also finished 50^th for exports per capita.

Alabama ranked 46th for economic health. (Photo: Getty)

8. Alabama

For Alabama, its 37^th place innovation potential outpaced its economic activity, at 44^th place, and its 46^th place economic health ranking.

Its residents will not be pleased to know that the state ranked 47^th for median annual household income, and 48^th for independent-inventor patents per 1,000 working-age residents.

Known more for horse racing, this state finished 45th for innovation potential. (Photo: AP)

7. Kentucky

The Bluegrass State's 30^th place finish for economic activity makes a better showing than its 50^th place for economic health and 45^th place for innovation potential.

Placing 49^th for independent-inventor patents per 1,000 working-age residents isn't exactly a sterling recommendation, either; nor is its 48^th place for lowest state-government surplus per capita and for lowest median annual household income.

In spite of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, this state's economic health was ranked at 49th. (Photo: AP)

6. Louisiana

The Pelican State's economic activity isn't all that bad, at 29^th place, probably thanks in part to its first-place tie with the state of Washington for most exports per capita, but its economic health—at 49^th—and innovation potential, also at 49^th—helped to drag it down.

It came in at 45^th for venture funding capital per capita, near the bottom at 48^th for nonfarm payrolls change, was 49th for lowest state-government surplus per capita and 50^th in immigration of U.S. knowledge workers.

The hit show "Breaking Bad" set in Albuquerque, and its pre-quel, "Better Call Saul," which this billboard echos, make New Mexico appear more economically bleak than it really is. (Photo:  AP)

5. New Mexico

New Mexico's innovation potential was considerably higher, at 15^th place, than either its economic activity—47^th place—or its economic health, at 51^st place.

But in a study in contrasts, it surprisingly comes in at second place for the high percentage of jobs in high-tech industries—yet finishes in 51^st place for the lowest immigration of U.S. knowledge workers.

Maine, like Mt. Katahdin, is an outlier. (Photo: AP)

4. Maine

Maine was an outlier, a New England state finishing near the bottom. Its economic activity held it down to 48^th place, while economic health was only 45^th and innovation potential dragged in at 47^th place.

Maine also had the fourth lowest GDP growth in the country.

West Virginia has had a tough time recently, with flooding and low economic health. (Photo: AP)

3. West Virginia

West Virginia's economic activity placed 43^rd, while its economic health placed it in 47^th place and its innovation potential was even worse, at 50.

Interestingly, its GDP growth placed it at the other end of the scale, in fourth place, while it finished dead last in business startup activity and the state tied for 48^th place for its unemployment rate. It placed 49^th for nonfarm payrolls change and for median annual household income, 50^th for the percentage of jobs in high-tech industries and 49^th for the number of independent-inventor patents per 1,000 working-age residents.

In this 2005 file photo, a streetcar runs down a Little Rock street; Arkansas ranks 49th for economic activity. (Photo: AP)

2. Arkansas

For economic activity, the Natural State was right down near the bottom, at 49; economic health was a tad better, at 36, but innovation potential was at the very bottom: 51^st place.

The state was 50^th in median annual household income, 48^th when it came to the percentage of jobs in high-tech industries, 50^th for independent-inventor patents per 1,000 working-age residents and 43^rd in venture capital funding per capita.

1. Mississippi

Mississippi was 51^st in economic activity, 48^th in economic health and 44^th in innovation potential.

It also placed 50^th in lowest GDP growth, 47^th in unemployment, 51^st in lowest median annual household income and 51^st for having the fewest independent-inventor patents per 1,000 working-age residents.