What's the emptiest U.S. state?

The emptiest U.S. state by population is Wyoming, consistently having the fewest residents, while Alaska is the emptiest by population density (fewest people per square mile) due to its vast size, though Wyoming is a close second for density and often takes the overall "emptiest" title because of its overall low numbers.

Which is the emptiest state in the US?

Wyoming (584,000)

Wyoming takes the crown as the least populated state, with just over 584,000 residents. It also has the lowest population density, with about 6 people per square mile. Its population is a mix of ranching communities, outdoor enthusiasts and Indigenous people.

What is the most empty U.S. state?

The most "empty" U.S. state, meaning the least densely populated, is Alaska, with only about 1.3 people per square mile, followed by Wyoming (6.0), Montana (7.1), and North Dakota (11.0). This is due to Alaska's massive size, harsh climate, and challenging terrain, making it sparsely inhabited despite its vast wilderness, with population concentrated in cities like Anchorage.
 

What is the least popular state?

Several states have less than 1,000,000 people, and Wyoming holds the title of the least-populated state, with fewer than 600,000. How do the other states rank?

What states are losing the most population?

New York, California, and Illinois consistently lose the most residents in absolute numbers, with other significant losses in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and West Virginia, primarily driven by people moving out (domestic migration), though high costs, regulations, and differing opportunities play big roles, according to recent Census Bureau data and analyses from sources like Pew and World Population Review https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/population-trends-return-to-pre-pandemic-norms.html, https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/a-third-of-states-lost-population-in-2021,.

Why NOBODY Lives in these 9 EMPTY States

What is the slowest growing state?

Population grew the slowest in Alaska (0.02%), Mississippi (0.03%), Michigan and New Mexico (both 0.04%), and Vermont (0.05%). Growth accelerated in 35 states, including nine of the 10 slowest-growing states.

Which state is being left the most?

California and New York consistently see the most people leaving in sheer numbers, driven by high costs and taxes, though New Jersey often tops lists for the highest percentage of outbound moves, also citing expenses and retirement. Other states like Illinois and Massachusetts also experience significant population loss, with residents often moving to more affordable areas, particularly in the South. 

What is the most difficult state to live in?

There's no single "hardest" state, as it's subjective, but recent studies often point to Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, and Tennessee for poor quality of life, high stress, low economic opportunity, or significant public safety/health issues, while Alaska presents challenges with extreme cost of living and remoteness, and Florida faces criticism for raising families despite other strengths. States consistently ranked poorly often struggle with poverty, education, healthcare access, and violent crime. 

What is the most forgotten state in the USA?

Missouri is frequently cited as the most forgotten U.S. state, often appearing last in "name all 50 states" quizzes on sites like Sporcle, followed by states like Connecticut, Minnesota, and Massachusetts, due to its central location and overshadowed profile compared to coastal or larger states, despite being home to major cities and attractions like the Gateway Arch.
 

What is the least welcoming state?

The most welcoming states are Vermont, Maine, and Hawaii. The least welcoming states are Missouri, Massachusetts, and Illinois. Most Americans greet strangers with a handshake (60%), smile (47%), or by making eye contact (25%). Over 1 in 5 Americans say they aren't comfortable with physical contact when greeting.

What is the #1 best state to live in?

There's no single "#1 best state" as it depends on priorities, but recent studies by WalletHub (late 2025) rank Massachusetts highest overall for livability, citing strong education and healthcare, while U.S. News & World Report (May 2025) often names Utah as #1, highlighting its strong economy and infrastructure. Other top contenders frequently appearing are Idaho, New Jersey, Wisconsin, and New Hampshire, each excelling in different areas like environment, economy, or quality of life. 

What is the most overpopulated state in the United States?

The most overpopulated state in the U.S. by sheer total population is California, followed by Texas and Florida, though "overpopulation" can also refer to population density, where states like New Jersey or Maryland rank higher. California consistently holds the top spot with nearly 40 million residents, while Texas and Florida have over 30 million and 23 million, respectively, making them the most populous overall.
 

Which state has a very low population?

Wyoming is the least populated state in the United States, with under 600,000 residents according to the 2020 Census, making it the state with the smallest population and lowest population density, noted for its vast open spaces, ranching, and national parks like Yellowstone. Vermont and Alaska typically rank as the second and third least populated, respectively, though their populations are significantly higher than Wyoming's. 

What is the most non-white state?

As of 2024, nine states are majority-minority: Hawaii (20.7%), California (32.6%), New Mexico (35.1%), Texas (37.8%), Nevada (42.8%), Maryland (45.3%), Georgia (48.0%), Florida (49.1%), and New Jersey (49.5%).

What is the unhappiest state in the US?

According to recent WalletHub studies (late 2024/early 2025), West Virginia and Louisiana consistently rank as the least happy states, with West Virginia often cited as the single unhappiest due to high rates of depression, poor sleep, and challenging work environments, while Louisiana struggles with work-life balance, divorce rates, and sleep quality. Other states frequently appearing at the bottom of happiness rankings include Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, and Alaska. 

What is the weakest state in the USA?

Louisiana came in last at number 50 as the worst state on U.S. News & World Report's ranking of the best states overall for 2025. In breaking down Louisiana's overall rank, the state also ranked poorly in a number of categories, which include: Crime & Corrections: 50. Economy: 50.

What are the 10 oldest states?

The "oldest" U.S. states, based on median age of population, are predominantly in the Northeast: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia, and Florida lead the list, with states like Delaware, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Montana, and Oregon rounding out the top 10, reflecting slower growth and aging demographics.
 

What's the most unhappiest state?

Hawaii is the happiest state in America for the second year in a row. Hawaii landed the top spot on WalletHub's list with an overall score of 65.50. It ranked third for emotional and physical well-being, 16th for work environment and 13th for community and environment.

What is the roughest state in America?

The "roughest" or most dangerous states in the U.S. consistently include Louisiana, New Mexico, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Missouri, Alaska, and Texas, based on high violent crime rates (homicides, assaults), property crime, and sometimes poor road safety or economic factors. Louisiana often leads in homicide rates, while New Mexico and Alaska have high violent crime rates per capita, with other Southern and Southwestern states frequently appearing in top rankings for overall danger.
 

Which state has the lowest life expectancy?

Mississippi consistently has the lowest life expectancy among U.S. states, with recent data (around 2021) showing it at approximately 70.9 years, significantly below the national average, followed closely by West Virginia and Alabama, with Southern states generally having lower life expectancies due to factors like poverty, smoking, and healthcare access.
 

What state is everyone moving to in 2025?

Where Americans Moved in 2025. In 2025, the data revealed inbound migration patterns to states across Southern regions, with a few exceptions. Inbound moves were led by Oregon (65%), West Virgina (62%) and South Carolina (61%).

Which states are losing the most people?

New York, California, and Illinois consistently lose the most residents in absolute numbers, with other significant losses in Louisiana, Pennsylvania, Hawaii, and West Virginia, primarily driven by people moving out (domestic migration), though high costs, regulations, and differing opportunities play big roles, according to recent Census Bureau data and analyses from sources like Pew and World Population Review https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023/population-trends-return-to-pre-pandemic-norms.html, https://www.pew.org/en/research-and-analysis/articles/a-third-of-states-lost-population-in-2021,.

What state is offering $10,000 to move there?

Several locations in the U.S. offer cash incentives, including $10,000 or more, to attract remote workers and new residents, with Oklahoma (Tulsa Remote), Alabama (The Shoals), Kansas (Topeka), and parts of Maryland and Indiana being prominent examples, requiring you to work remotely from outside the area and meet specific income/residency criteria. Programs like Tulsa Remote, Remote Shoals (AL), and Choose Topeka provide grants for relocating, often for full-time remote workers, while other cities like Baltimore (MD) offer housing incentives for blight removal, and some Indiana towns offer general relocation perks.