States with the highest (and lowest) stock market participation. See where CT ranks.

Washington, D.C. leads the nation in stock market participation, with 29% of tax returns reporting dividend or capital gains income in 2022, more than double Mississippi's 11%, according to IRS data analyzed by Motley Fool. Connecticut ranks third nationally at 27% for dividend income and ties for third in capital gains at 23%. The gap reflects disparities in median household income and wealth distribution, with D.C.'s median household income nearly double Mississippi's, though participation grew in 48 of 51 jurisdictions from 2013 to 2022.