Some of us may have shied away from looking at our credit scores once we finished our holiday shopping, but WalletHub took a look anyway and found we’d better do a little work.

In “States With the Largest Credit Score Decreases,” West Virginia ranked 11th in the country. The average credit score in the Mountain State fell by 0.61% between the third quarters of 2023 and 2024. In fact, by the end of Q3 2024, the average credit score in the state was 647.

Ohio is doing a little better, with a rank of 22nd. In the Buckeye State, the average credit score fell by 0.58% in the same period, with the average credit score being 684 by the end of Q3 2024.

To be fair, all 50 states experienced a decrease in the average credit score.

What’s going on here? Credit scores can drop for a variety for reasons: high credit utilization; missed payments; bankruptcies; foreclosures; having your credit limit lowered; opening new accounts, closing old ones, or paying off a loan; identity theft; even an unfavorable mix of credit account types.

“If your credit score is low or has recently dropped, the quickest and best way to improve your score is to use a credit card regularly and pay the balance on time and in full every month,” said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

Sound advice, of course, but easier said than done for millions upon millions of Americans who feel as though they have no choice but to increase their credit card utilization while paying the bare minimum each month. There are resources to help, and local credit counseling services are a great place to start. But if this is a nationwide phenomenon, maybe it’s a sign of larger work to do.

Imagine the difference it would make if there were more good-paying jobs, government remained accountable so that more money stayed in taxpayers’ pockets, and sound economic policies helped tame prices and expenses that are still through the roof.

As individuals do their part, economic development officials, politicians and policymakers must do theirs, too.