No two states are the same, and even crossing the border to the next one can hit you with a bit of culture shock. That’s what makes the US so interesting.
It is so diverse that one state’s strength could be the weakest link of another. So come and see what each state is really bad at.
Alabama: Most child smokers
Alabama raised its smoking age to 19, but this measure on seemingly improving health is about as helpful as fast food restaurants listing how many calories are in their huge burgers.
Alaska: Highest chlamydia rate
So much oil money went around and that led to pretty bad choices.
But it is the state with the lowest population density, and the coldest average temperature, so lonely Alaskans will really want another warm body.
Arizona: Worst at going to the dentist
About 60% of people in Arizona admitted to not getting regular dental exams. Makes sense if you’re retired and have dentures, but really… gross.
Arkansas: Fewest advanced degrees per capita
Only 6.1% of Arkansas’ residents have an advanced degree or higher.
So professors looking for a job should think long and hard before moving here.
California: Most polluted cities
People everywhere know the air in Los Angeles feels similar to the one in a Mad Max movie.
But hit up Bakersfield, Modesto, Sacramento, and Fresno. Not much difference there.
As if people needed another reason to not visit Fresno.
Colorado: Greatest cocaine use
If you find yourself in Colorado attending somebody’s party and people are talking about fresh-cut powder, don’t assume the discussion is anything about the skiing conditions.
Connecticut: Most unequal incomes
Connecticut has the highest rate of school enrollment and the highest per capita income in the nation, but the top 1% in the state earn 41 times what everyone else makes.
The rich just get richer, and everybody else just settles for New Haven pizza.
Delaware: Least regular exercise
A Gallup poll says less than half of people from Delaware exercise regularly, and that’s for 30 minutes a day, three times a week.
But it only takes about an hour to drive from the north of Delaware to the south , so surely very few of them know how long it takes to walk that distance.
Florida: Most recreational boat accidents
Florida boasts of the highest number with regards to boat accidents and fatalities.
Studies do show that Floridians operate their boats at least as well as highly caffeinated primates so there’s that.
Georgia: Least integrity
Politicians in Georgia are the least ethical, with about 658 state workers accepting gratuities during a two-year period.
State legislators were not available for a word without an offer of sporting event tickets or honey baked hams.
Hawaii: Highest homelessness rate
Homelessness has actually been decreasing in the United States in recent years so that’s great, but the bad news is that Hawaii has about five times more homeless people than Mississippi, Indiana, and Kansas.
They do get to sleep on a beautiful beach though.
Idaho: Worst drivers
Fortunately, they don’t really cause the most road accidents, since few people live there, or even have the need to drive through the state on their way someplace else.
The next-worst place were the District of Columbia and New York, but that’s not surprising given their reputations.
Idaho’s drivers are just really bad behind the wheel.
Illinois: Most rail accidents
Yes, people in Illinois get hurt by things other than guns and deep-dish pizza.
All those rail yards at the heart of America ends up bringing a lot of derailments, so they just barely edged out Texas in terms of total train accidents.
Indiana: Most meth incidents
Now there’s a huge upset. Everyone thought it would be Florida.
Hope you didn’t put any money there. Literally.
Iowa: Highest racial disparity in marijuana arrests
Both black and white Iowans use marijuana, and at the same rate too, but black Iowans are eight times more likely to be arrested for possession.
That’s a lot more than you think.
Kansas: Ugliest scenery
Have you seen The Wizard of Oz and wondered why it starts in black and white?
Turns out that Kansas does look like that. In the eyes of most Americans at least.
Kentucky: Worst to be an animal
The Kentucky Wildcats have won eight NCAA championships, but being an actual wild cat is no fun in the state.
They are on an unprecedented seven-year run being the worst state for animal protection.
Louisiana: Highest murder rate
Louisiana has the highest murder rate and the highest rate of death by firearm. Think twice about partying around after a Mardi Gras night out with your friends.
You don’t want to end up on one of those unsolved mysteries TV shows.
Maine: Fewest heliports
You probably have to drive over to nearby New Hampshire just to land that helicopter.
Tough, but at least you have the money for a helicopter.
Maryland: Worst at incarcerating the elderly
So apparently, in Maryland, the elderly can literally get away with murder. Well, somewhat.
Just 7.5% of the state’s inmates are over the age of 50, and that’s about half the rate nationwide.
Massachusetts: Worst at happy hour
Massachusetts became the first state to ban happy hour way back in 1984.
So for 30 years, the state’s residents have complained and chatted nonstop about work over FULL-PRICED drinks. Ouch.
Michigan: Worst roads
The movie 8 Mile put Detroit back on the Hollywood map, but every other mile in the state is just horrible.
Compared to others, Michigan spends the least per capita on its roads and bridges, at just $174 per person annually.
Get that SUV.
Minnesota: Most tornadoes
In 2010 alone, Minnesota had 145 tornadoes, statewide. That’s a lot.
Better check the weather before you visit. And ask if the hotel is tough enough to withstand one.
: Shortest life expectancy
Locals of Mississippi live for around 75 years, on average.
There are 11 states in the Union where residents are expected to reach at least 80 years old. That’s five years more than Mississippians get.
And those are five extra years away from Mississippi.
Missouri: Worst puppy mills
There’s nothing pleasant about this, and even if they had the best ones, it would still be a horrible practice.
Report if you see one, and remember to adopt if you can.
Montana: Most traffic fatalities per capita
Back in the late 90s, Montana abolished speed limits during the day. People were allowed drive fast to get out of Montana.
It was like the Autobahn, except drivers were singing songs like “Barbie Girl” at double the speed limit.
Thankfully, the state re-instituted speed limits, though enforcement is a whole different matter.
Nebraska: Least furniture manufacturing
You’re not going to find anything with a “Made in Nebraska” sticker, that’s for sure.
Good opportunity to start a business?
Nevada: Highest divorce rate
It’s not a surprising statistic in the Union, what with all those Elvis-officiated ceremonies and alcohol-fueled nuptials among strangers.
Good thing legal proceedings that happen in Vegas will stay in Vegas too.
New Hampshire: Fewest inland waterways
There’s really not a lot to complain about in New Hampshire, though navigating the state via boat is going to frustrate you to no end.
New Jersey: Worst for speeding tickets
New Jersey does have a speed trap every 30mi, the most in the country, so they collect $30,000 per mile in road user fees.
And if you’re caught going just 10 mph over the limit, your fine will probably be doubled for “racing.”
Forget your speed fantasies over there.
New Mexico: Most accidental deaths
Accidental could mean anything too, so even just stepping out for air could be fatal.
Maybe death himself found a nice piece of land over there.
New York: Worst to be a taxpayer
New Yorkers do pay the highest average state and local taxes. That’s a whopping $9,718 per year, 39% higher than the national median.
So even if you adjust for cost of living, this state still comes in last.
North Carolina: Worst state for education
North Carolina is found to be the worst state in terms of education. Factors like education spending, student-to-teacher ratio, and percentage of kids too lazy all come into play.
North Dakota: Least visited
Geography has North Dakota mostly isolated from the rest of the country. Doesn’t mean South Dakota is geographically sexier though.
The problem here is that North Dakota doesn’t have a tourist attraction like Mt. Rushmore. There’s the National Buffalo Museum but it’s not exactly a must-see.
Ohio: Worst water
Ohio fell dead last in a study of water cleanliness by the Natural Resources Defense Council.
So if you must visit, do bring extra cash for drinking water. And medicines just in case.
Oklahoma: Lowest produce consumption
Oklahoma’s fast food titan, Sonic, offers customers 398,929 different drink combinations. Plus they sell roughly 3 billion Tater Tots a year,
But that doesn’t mean they have lots of fruits and vegetables in those meals.
Oregon: Most prescription painkiller abuse
Follow these two rules when it comes to painkillers in Oregon: don’t touch their Percocets, and do you have any Percocets?
But really, what’s causing them so much pain anyway?
Pennsylvania: Worst bridges
There are 22,660 bridges in the state, but just 23% of those are considered “structurally deficient.”
Crossing a bridge over there can become a pray or be prayed over kind of situation.
Rhode Island – Highest teacher absenteeism
More than half of the teachers in Rhode Island have missed more than ten days of work during the school year, while one in five missed at least 20 days of school.
If a student did this, they’d be held back.
What’s funny is that Rhode Island’s teachers get paid more than the ones in South Dakota.
South Carolina: Most violent crime
Out of all the 50 states, South Carolina has the highest rate of violent crime, coming in at 766 per 100,000 residents.
That whole concept of Southern hospitality? Nope.
South Dakota: Lowest-paid teachers
It’s not just the teachers in South Dakota though since everyone gets paid less statewide.
South Dakota has the lowest salaries in the nation, so bad news for employees, but good news for employers.
Tennessee: Most dangerous
We’re talking straight up “keep your head on a swivel” dangerous here so keep this in mind.
Or better yet, don’t bother visiting the state if this concerns you.
Texas: Fewest high school graduates per capita
In this state, less than 80% have a high school diploma, resulting in Texas being the only state that dips below 80%.
Everything really is bigger in Texas, dropout rates included.
Utah: Nerdiest state
Here’s a study calculated based on public Facebook likes. Utah is actually the most openly nerdy state.
Hard to argue in a place that sells only three-two beer, with last call being at 1am.
Vermont: Most illicit drug use
Vermont’s love for illegal substances could have something to do with the fact that it is also the state with the fewest children.
Its residents have now reached an age where they realize that life can be painful.
At least they partied hard.
Virginia: Lowest oil production per capita
Alaska ranks highest in oil production, but fortunately for Virginia, they’re still so much better at not having chlamydia.
Dig deep and get pumping.
Washington: Worst at loving Justin Bieber
Washington did legalize pot smoking even though people can’t grow weed at home.
So the next best thing to do, and it’s free, is adore Justin Bieber.
West Virginia: Fewest college graduates per capita
West Virginia is “almost heaven” in John Denver’s famous song, but economically speaking, the state is a bit of a black hole.
Aside from having the fewest college graduates, they have the fewest full time workers, plus the lowest level of optimism regarding the economy.
Wisconsin: Highest incarceration rate of African Americans
12.8% of African American men are incarcerated in Wisconsin. That’s near-double the national average of 6.7%, and 3 percentage points worse than Oklahoma.
An African American man will end up in jail faster than anyone playing Monopoly.
Wyoming: Highest suicide rate
Unfortunately, Wyoming has the highest suicide rate at 23.2 per 100,000. New Jersey is the state with the highest will to live, with a suicide rate nearly three times lower than Wyoming’s.
Wyoming is the least populous state though.
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