Thought I could add this though I am sure it's been gone over before. CT is #4, NJ is #2 and MD is #1.
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/america-richest-poorest-states-042117509.html
3 of the top 5 poorest states are SEC turf. Mississippi, Alabama and Arkansas. Explains Walmart's quick rise and some Walmart shoppers. Alabama displays their damn national championship trophies at Walmart after winning. Wonderful Kentucky is the fifth poorest state in the US. Almost 20% of KY is below the poverty line.
As for demographic shifts/population sizes, that should not be a concern, at all. The NYC metropolitan area (which supposedly extends to Waterbury and New Haven in CT) is about 3.5 times larger than the largest metropolitan area in the south (Dallas). Excluding LA.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_combined_statistical_areas
Dallas, Raleigh, Charlotte, Houston, Atlanta, etc, etc, etc, etc, are not going to be more populated than the NYC metropolitan area anytime soon.