Doobie Doo
Veteran
I CALL BULLshyt ON NORTH DAKOTA. I doubt it's true considering the lack of black and Latino population.
Click on the image for a larger view. Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
By Kate Peregrina
Each of the 50 states is special in its own way. But much like a class of pampered elementary school students, everyone gets an award for something. Here’s what’s written on the certificate sure to be hanging from each state’s fridge.
More: What Every US State is the Worst At
Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
Alabama: Most concealed carry licenses
If everyone in Alabama lived by the motto, “Sun’s out, guns out,” you’d be led to believe the sun practically never shines in the Heart of Dixie.
Alaska: Most pilots per capita
You know how little kids dream of running off to some faraway land to escape Mom and Dad taking away Nintendo? Well, for Alaskans, warm weather is their Nintendo, and that faraway land is anywhere you can reach by plane.
Arizona: Sunniest state
Arizona, as a state, doesn’t observe Daylight Savings. But with enough sunlight to turn any seat belt buckle into a weapon of mass conduction, can you really blame them?
Arkansas: Most dog owners
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 47.9% of households in Arkansas owned a dog in 2011. That’s right, Bill Clinton is not the only dog from Arkansas.
Related: A State-by-State Guide to the 50 Coolest Things in America
California: Most breastfed babies
More babies are breastfed in California than any other state, at rates that would make your grandmother from the Old Country proud.
Colorado: Least obese
With all that amazing hiking, skiing, and just general outdoor goodness, Coloradans have plenty of reasons to get out there and do stuff. But just give it a few more years of having legalized pot, and the 2018 version of this list will be “Greatest Funyuns consumption.”
Connecticut: Most twin births
Nearly 5% of births in Connecticut are twins, which almost explains how the Winklevoss twins were involved in the creation of Facebook. But not quite.
Delaware: Most moderate
Remember that scene in Wayne’s World when Wayne and Garth seem pretty indifferent about being whisked away to Delaware by the magic of chroma key? Well, that’s how most people who live there feel, every day.
Florida: Most 4-year-olds in preschools
A state famous for its old people, Florida still makes early childhood education a priority, with 78.5% of the state’s 4-year-olds enrolled in preschool.
Georgia: Top peanut producer
Georgia is the biggest producer of peanuts in the country. Just ask the sole president who hails from Georgia, Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer himself.
Hawaii: Least likely to collide with a deer
Hawaii actually has two species of deer, but the odds of running into any are relatively low. The odds of running into a fire juggler? Significantly higher.
Related: A Slice of America: The Best Pizzeria in Every State
Idaho: Cheapest groceries
Idahoans pay nearly half the price for their groceries as bordering states Montana and Washington. And you thought all anybody ate there was potatoes.
Illinois: Most units of local government
Somehow, the Land of Lincoln has more recently been Bad as Blagojevich, at one point seeing four of its previous seven governors land in jail. But that may be explained by its having so many units of local government, since nobody can remember who does what anymore.
Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
Indiana: Most licensed drivers
If you’re gonna be stuck on the side of the road hitchhiking, well, Indiana’s a pretty good spot for you to end up.
Iowa: Lowest divorce rate
Iowa is like the Ireland of the United States: Iowans are most likely to stay married, for better or worse. Not surprisingly, the state with the highest divorce rate (and marriage rate) was Nevada, due in no small part to the number of Elvis-officiated nuptials.
Kansas: Most teenage volunteers
Maybe the youth of Kansas truly want to change the world. Or maybe court orders say they have to pick up litter on the side of the freeway. Only Kansas’ teenagers know for sure.
Kentucky: Highest graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students
Impoverished youth have the greatest chance of success in Kentucky. Granted, Kentucky does have the second-highest percentage of people living below the poverty level in the nation. But they’re making the most of it.
Louisiana: Most residents born in state
In 2012, 79% of Louisiana residents were born in the state. Compare that to Nevada, where only 25% of the residents were born in state. The lesson: nobody ever walks away from crawdads, gumbo, or beignets, if they know what’s good for them.
Related: Stay in a Lighthouse or Helicopter: The Coolest Hotel in Every State
Maine: Least violent crime
Forget the plot of every Stephen King novel you’ve ever read. Maine is actually just full of upstanding citizens — not killer clowns, zombie pets, or entire towns turning into vampires.
Maryland: Fewest accidental deaths
Safety goggles and hardhats might as well be on the state flag.
Massachusetts: Fewest traffic fatalities
That lore of the M*sshole driver? Well, it’s overstated — at least in terms of statistics that actually matter. But official stats don’t track middle fingers extended or number of guys screaming, “UP YAWZ!”
Michigan: Most lighthouses
Conversely, Michigan ranks highest in number of lonely lighthouse keepers. Watch someone invent the most niche dating app ever — Lighthouse Keepers Only.
Minnesota: Most food cooperatives per capita
Midwesterners have a reputation for being friendly. Synonym for friendly? Cooperative. Coincidence? Not in the least.
Mississippi: Most sleep per night
Southerners have a reputation for talking slow. But, well, maybe everybody from Mississippi is just still groggy — on average, they get 40 more minutes of sleep per day than the state that gets the least sleep, Wisconsin.
Missouri: Best trails
Although Missouri’s been recognized of late **SPOILER ALERT** for the trail Amy Dunne intentionally left in Gone Girl, it’s the state’s nonfiction trails meant for biking, hiking, and even boating that make Missouri No. 1 in the nation for trails.
Montana: Longest cat lifespans
You know that saying about cats having nine lives? Yeah, well, in Montana, they’ve got a baker’s dozen.
Nebraska: Most homes with indoor plumbing
Only 0.36% of homes in Nebraska are without indoor plumbing. Consequently, Nebraska has the cleanest dishes and most-showered residents, but the lowest opportunity for hillbilly slapstick based on using an outhouse.
Nevada: Most hot springs
Most people associate Nevada with Las Vegas and its man-made wonders. But its hot springs are the perfect way to relax after you’ve spent an hour at the Spearmint Rhino or watching the Thunder from Down Under.
Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
Click on the image for a larger view. Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
By Kate Peregrina
Each of the 50 states is special in its own way. But much like a class of pampered elementary school students, everyone gets an award for something. Here’s what’s written on the certificate sure to be hanging from each state’s fridge.
More: What Every US State is the Worst At
Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
Alabama: Most concealed carry licenses
If everyone in Alabama lived by the motto, “Sun’s out, guns out,” you’d be led to believe the sun practically never shines in the Heart of Dixie.
Alaska: Most pilots per capita
You know how little kids dream of running off to some faraway land to escape Mom and Dad taking away Nintendo? Well, for Alaskans, warm weather is their Nintendo, and that faraway land is anywhere you can reach by plane.
Arizona: Sunniest state
Arizona, as a state, doesn’t observe Daylight Savings. But with enough sunlight to turn any seat belt buckle into a weapon of mass conduction, can you really blame them?
Arkansas: Most dog owners
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, 47.9% of households in Arkansas owned a dog in 2011. That’s right, Bill Clinton is not the only dog from Arkansas.
Related: A State-by-State Guide to the 50 Coolest Things in America
California: Most breastfed babies
More babies are breastfed in California than any other state, at rates that would make your grandmother from the Old Country proud.
Colorado: Least obese
With all that amazing hiking, skiing, and just general outdoor goodness, Coloradans have plenty of reasons to get out there and do stuff. But just give it a few more years of having legalized pot, and the 2018 version of this list will be “Greatest Funyuns consumption.”
Connecticut: Most twin births
Nearly 5% of births in Connecticut are twins, which almost explains how the Winklevoss twins were involved in the creation of Facebook. But not quite.
Delaware: Most moderate
Remember that scene in Wayne’s World when Wayne and Garth seem pretty indifferent about being whisked away to Delaware by the magic of chroma key? Well, that’s how most people who live there feel, every day.
Florida: Most 4-year-olds in preschools
A state famous for its old people, Florida still makes early childhood education a priority, with 78.5% of the state’s 4-year-olds enrolled in preschool.
Georgia: Top peanut producer
Georgia is the biggest producer of peanuts in the country. Just ask the sole president who hails from Georgia, Jimmy Carter, a peanut farmer himself.
Hawaii: Least likely to collide with a deer
Hawaii actually has two species of deer, but the odds of running into any are relatively low. The odds of running into a fire juggler? Significantly higher.
Related: A Slice of America: The Best Pizzeria in Every State
Idaho: Cheapest groceries
Idahoans pay nearly half the price for their groceries as bordering states Montana and Washington. And you thought all anybody ate there was potatoes.
Illinois: Most units of local government
Somehow, the Land of Lincoln has more recently been Bad as Blagojevich, at one point seeing four of its previous seven governors land in jail. But that may be explained by its having so many units of local government, since nobody can remember who does what anymore.
Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
Indiana: Most licensed drivers
If you’re gonna be stuck on the side of the road hitchhiking, well, Indiana’s a pretty good spot for you to end up.
Iowa: Lowest divorce rate
Iowa is like the Ireland of the United States: Iowans are most likely to stay married, for better or worse. Not surprisingly, the state with the highest divorce rate (and marriage rate) was Nevada, due in no small part to the number of Elvis-officiated nuptials.
Kansas: Most teenage volunteers
Maybe the youth of Kansas truly want to change the world. Or maybe court orders say they have to pick up litter on the side of the freeway. Only Kansas’ teenagers know for sure.
Kentucky: Highest graduation rate for economically disadvantaged students
Impoverished youth have the greatest chance of success in Kentucky. Granted, Kentucky does have the second-highest percentage of people living below the poverty level in the nation. But they’re making the most of it.
Louisiana: Most residents born in state
In 2012, 79% of Louisiana residents were born in the state. Compare that to Nevada, where only 25% of the residents were born in state. The lesson: nobody ever walks away from crawdads, gumbo, or beignets, if they know what’s good for them.
Related: Stay in a Lighthouse or Helicopter: The Coolest Hotel in Every State
Maine: Least violent crime
Forget the plot of every Stephen King novel you’ve ever read. Maine is actually just full of upstanding citizens — not killer clowns, zombie pets, or entire towns turning into vampires.
Maryland: Fewest accidental deaths
Safety goggles and hardhats might as well be on the state flag.
Massachusetts: Fewest traffic fatalities
That lore of the M*sshole driver? Well, it’s overstated — at least in terms of statistics that actually matter. But official stats don’t track middle fingers extended or number of guys screaming, “UP YAWZ!”
Michigan: Most lighthouses
Conversely, Michigan ranks highest in number of lonely lighthouse keepers. Watch someone invent the most niche dating app ever — Lighthouse Keepers Only.
Minnesota: Most food cooperatives per capita
Midwesterners have a reputation for being friendly. Synonym for friendly? Cooperative. Coincidence? Not in the least.
Mississippi: Most sleep per night
Southerners have a reputation for talking slow. But, well, maybe everybody from Mississippi is just still groggy — on average, they get 40 more minutes of sleep per day than the state that gets the least sleep, Wisconsin.
Missouri: Best trails
Although Missouri’s been recognized of late **SPOILER ALERT** for the trail Amy Dunne intentionally left in Gone Girl, it’s the state’s nonfiction trails meant for biking, hiking, and even boating that make Missouri No. 1 in the nation for trails.
Montana: Longest cat lifespans
You know that saying about cats having nine lives? Yeah, well, in Montana, they’ve got a baker’s dozen.
Nebraska: Most homes with indoor plumbing
Only 0.36% of homes in Nebraska are without indoor plumbing. Consequently, Nebraska has the cleanest dishes and most-showered residents, but the lowest opportunity for hillbilly slapstick based on using an outhouse.
Nevada: Most hot springs
Most people associate Nevada with Las Vegas and its man-made wonders. But its hot springs are the perfect way to relax after you’ve spent an hour at the Spearmint Rhino or watching the Thunder from Down Under.
Credit: Jennifer Bui/Thrillist
