Experian, a leading global services information company, revealed the “State of Credit,” its list of cities with the highest and lowest credit scores.
According to the list, Minneapolis, Minn., Madison, Wis. and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, topped the list. At the bottom of the spectrum were Harlingen, Texas, Jackson, Miss., and Corpus Christi, Texas.

"As our nation emerges from the most severe economic recession since the Great Depression, Experian is working to help American consumers become smarter, more aware and more confident about their credit than ever before," said Experian executive vice president Peg Smith in the press release. "Certainly, the troubled economy has impacted us all in different ways, and we're now seeing how it is affecting credit scores – which are a critical factor in determining a person's ability to access affordable credit."

"Late payments and delinquencies such as foreclosures drive lower credit scores, and the State of Credit data shows that unemployment has been a major factor in contributing to higher delinquencies," said Smith. "Certainly anyone who has lost a job understands how such a life event could affect their ability to pay their bills on time."

"While it is important to know where your credit scores fall in the range of risk for lenders, the most important thing to understand are the factors in your credit report that determine that risk," said Experian vice president of consumer education Maxine Sweet. "Armed with this knowledge and a recent copy of their credit report, consumers can make informed decisions about their finances and devise a plan to live credit smart."

For the complete list, visit www.livecreditsmart.com.