New Jersey residents are happier than they have been in previous years, but still don't crack the top 10 in Gallop's annual well-being survey.

The Garden State ranked 23rd on the Gallup-Healthways well-being survey for 2013, its best ranking since 2008 when Gallup first started tracking well-being on a state level. The state's ranking has hovered in the mid - to high-20s since 2008, falling to a low of 32 in 2012.

In 2013, New Jersey had a well-being index of 66.9. The happiest state was North Dakota with a well-being index of 70.4, while West Virginia earned the worst score with a well-being index of 61.4

The survey looks at six sub-categories to determine its rankings: Life evaluation, physical health, emotional health, healthy behavior, work environment and basic access. Results in New Jersey are based on a survey of 4,582 adults conducted from January-December 2013.

Here's a look at how Jersey did in each category:

• 15th in the lifestyle evaluation category (present life situation and anticipated life situation).

• 34th in emotional health (daily feelings and mental state).

• 34th in work environments (job satisfaction and workplace interactions).

• 9th in physical health (physical ability to have a full life).

• 26th in healthy behaviors (engaging in behaviors that affect physical health).

• 21st in basic access (feeling safe, satisfied and optimistic within a community).