From poor political integrity to bad drivers, every U.S. state has something it just can’t seem to get right. Let’s take a look at what each state is worst at—because no place is perfect!
1. Alabama: Most Child Smokers
Despite raising the smoking age to 19, Alabama leads the country in child smoking rates. Health initiatives aren’t making a dent as many teens continue to light up.
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2. Alaska: Highest Chlamydia Rate
In Alaska, the cold isn’t the only thing spreading quickly. The state has the highest rate of chlamydia in the U.S., possibly due to its sparse population and limited healthcare access.
3. Arizona: Worst at Going to the Dentist
Almost 60% of Arizonans skip regular dental exams. While retirees with dentures might get a pass, this stat still points to poor dental health.
4. Arkansas: Fewest Advanced Degrees
Only 6.1% of Arkansas residents have an advanced degree, making it the least educated state in terms of higher learning.
5. California: Most Polluted Cities
California’s cities, especially Los Angeles, Bakersfield, and Fresno, rank among the most polluted in the nation.
6. Colorado: Greatest Cocaine Use
Colorado may be known for legal marijuana, but it’s also leading the country in cocaine use, proving that some residents are reaching for harder substances
7. Connecticut: Most Unequal Incomes
Connecticut’s income gap is staggering, with the top 1% earning 41 times more than the rest of the population.
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8. Delaware: Least Regular Exercise
Delaware residents are the least likely to exercise, with fewer than half reporting regular physical activity.
9. Florida: Most Recreational Boat Accidents
With the highest number of boating accidents in the U.S., Florida boaters might want to consider taking a safety course.
10. Georgia: Least Integrity in Politics
Georgia politicians have been found to be the least ethical, with hundreds of state workers accepting bribes and gratuities.
11. Hawaii: Highest Homelessness Rate
Despite its paradise status, Hawaii has the highest rate of homelessness in the country, largely due to its high cost of living.
12. Idaho: Worst Drivers
Idaho drivers may not cause the most accidents, but their road rage and aggressive driving habits are among the worst in the U.S..
13. Illinois: Most Rail Accidents
Illinois’ busy rail yards lead to the most train derailments and rail accidents in the country.
14. Indiana: Most Meth Incidents
Indiana takes the unfortunate top spot for meth-related incidents, outpacing many other states with severe meth problems.
15. Iowa: Highest Racial Disparity in Marijuana Arrests
Black Iowans are eight times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession than their white counterparts, despite similar usage rates.
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16. Kansas: Ugliest Scenery
Kansas often gets the reputation for having some of the least exciting landscapes in the U.S., a far cry from the iconic vistas of other states.
17. Kentucky: Worst for Animal Protection
Kentucky consistently ranks as the worst state for animal welfare, with lax laws protecting animals from abuse.
18. Louisiana: Highest Murder Rate
Louisiana holds the highest murder rate in the country, with violent crime being a persistent issue.
19. Maine: Fewest Heliports
If you’re trying to land a helicopter in Maine, good luck. The state has the fewest heliports per capita.
20. Maryland: Worst at Incarcerating the Elderly
Maryland has one of the lowest rates of elderly inmates, meaning older individuals face fewer repercussions for crimes.
21. Massachusetts: Worst at Happy Hour
Massachusetts was the first state to ban happy hour, making it the worst state for after-work drink deals.
22. Michigan: Worst Roads
Michigan’s roads are notoriously bad, as the state spends the least per capita on infrastructure maintenance.
23. Minnesota: Most Tornadoes
In 2010, Minnesota saw 145 tornadoes, giving it the title of most tornadoes in a single year.
24. Mississippi: Shortest Life Expectancy
Mississippi residents have the shortest life expectancy in the U.S., averaging just 75 years.
25. Missouri: Worst Puppy Mills
Missouri is infamous for its puppy mills, consistently ranking as the worst state for the illegal breeding of dogs.
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26. Montana: Most Traffic Fatalities Per Capita
Montana has the highest rate of traffic fatalities per capita, largely due to its rural roads and previously lax speed limits.
27. Nebraska: Least Furniture Manufacturing
If you’re looking for “Made in Nebraska” furniture, you’ll struggle—this state has the lowest production in the country.
28. Nevada: Highest Divorce Rate
No surprise here, with all the quickie Las Vegas weddings. Nevada leads the nation in divorces.
29. New Hampshire: Fewest Inland Waterways
New Hampshire lacks navigable inland waterways, making it tough for boat lovers in the state.
30. New Jersey: Worst for Speeding Tickets
With a speed trap every 30 miles, New Jersey is the worst state for getting nailed with hefty speeding fines.
31. New Mexico: Most Accidental Deaths
New Mexico leads the nation in accidental deaths, often attributed to its high rates of drug overdoses and traffic accidents.
32. New York: Worst to Be a Taxpayer
New Yorkers pay the highest average state and local taxes, at nearly $10,000 a year per person.
33. North Carolina: Worst State for Education
North Carolina ranks at the bottom of the list for education due to low spending and poor student outcomes.
34. North Dakota: Least Visited
North Dakota is the least visited state in the country, thanks to its remote location and lack of major tourist attractions.
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35. Ohio: Worst Water
Ohio has the dirtiest water in the country, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council, with pollution levels that are consistently high.
36. Oklahoma: Lowest Produce Consumption
Oklahoma residents are the least likely to eat fruits and vegetables, instead opting for fast food and processed meals.
37. Oregon: Most Prescription Painkiller Abuse
Oregon has the highest rate of prescription painkiller abuse, contributing to its ongoing opioid crisis.
38. Pennsylvania: Worst Bridges
With 23% of Pennsylvania’s bridges deemed “structurally deficient,” crossing a bridge in this state is always a gamble.
39. Rhode Island: Highest Teacher Absenteeism
Over half of Rhode Island’s teachers miss more than 10 days of school per year, making it the worst state for teacher absenteeism.
40. South Carolina: Most Violent Crime
South Carolina leads the country in violent crime, with 766 incidents per 100,000 residents.
41. South Dakota: Lowest-Paid Teachers
Teachers in South Dakota earn less than anywhere else in the U.S., despite the growing demands placed on them.
42. Tennessee: Most Dangerous
Tennessee ranks as the most dangerous state overall, with high rates of violent crime, property crime, and other hazards.
43. Texas: Fewest High School Graduates
Texas has the lowest percentage of high school graduates, with less than 80% of adults holding a diploma.
44. Utah: Nerdiest State
Based on Facebook activity, Utah tops the list for the nerdiest state, with its residents showing the most interest in geek culture.
45. Vermont: Most Illicit Drug Use
Vermont has the highest rate of illicit drug use, possibly fueled by its lack of a youthful population and high rates of depression.
46. Virginia: Lowest Oil Production Per Capita
While Virginia may have many accolades, oil production isn’t one of them. The state ranks dead last in this category.
47. Washington: Worst at Loving Justin Bieber
https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/new-yorksep-10-singer-justin-bieber-316124420
Washington may have embraced legal marijuana, but it’s also one of the worst states for Justin Bieber fandom. Priorities, people.
48. West Virginia: Fewest College Graduates
West Virginia holds the unfortunate distinction of having the fewest college graduates per capita in the U.S..
49. Wisconsin: Highest Incarceration Rate of African Americans
A shocking 12.8% of African American men in Wisconsin are incarcerated, nearly double the national average.
50. Wyoming: Highest Suicide Rate
Wyoming has the highest suicide rate in the country, with 23.2
H/t Thrillest