WASHINGTON - A new poll finds Americans are hopeful that 2012 will be a positive year for their families and the country after a mostly forgettable 2011.

The Associated Press-GfK poll shows 62 percent are optimistic about what 2012 will bring for the nation. More, 78 percent, are hopeful about the year their family will have in 2012. As the nation's economic fortunes overall appear to be tilting slightly positive, the public's expectations for the economy in the coming year are at their highest point since spring.

Just over a third think their household's financial situation will improve over the next 12 months, while 11 percent think it will worsen.

Overall, 68 percent described 2011 as a bad year, more than twice as many as said it was good.