Dumbest States 2024

The United States is a large country with hundreds of millions of people.

Factors that Affect Educational Attainment

It’s important to know that income has an enormous impact on educational data. States with high numbers of lower-income families generally have lower-quality education systems and fewer people who can attend college. Here are other factors that may affect students’ academic achievement that could vary by state and within states: overall socioeconomic status of the state or city/area within the state, percentage of students who are learning English as a second language, class and curriculum structure, which is usually mandated by the state, norms and regulations that determine the school environment, and standard testing requirements. On an individual level, the following can also affect student performance: parental habits and involvement, family issues and instability, peer relationships, teacher behavior and personality, focusing on the holistic needs of students, and teaching methods.

Determining the Intelligence of Each State

The intelligence of each state can be ranked using the following measures: IQ scores, SAT scores, ACT scores, and the percentage of college graduates in each state. An intelligence score is created for each state by determining the percentage-point difference between a state’s score and the national median score. Positive scores mean that the state’s score was above the national median and negative scores indicate that the state’s score was below. IQ’s value was doubled when the scores were added up for each state.

Dumbest States in the United States

State	Penn Stakes
West Virginia	12.60
Mississippi	13.30
Louisiana	15.20
Arkansas	19.10
Nevada	20.00
New Mexico	20.40
Alabama	22.40
Oklahoma	22.40
Texas	23.90
South Carolina	28.00

While the data does show that some states are “dumber” than other states, no one should demonize the people of another state based on these findings. Some states get a worse rap than others and can generate some stereotypes. It is encouraged that you be kind. Every state has its intelligence, natural beauty, and other great qualities.

The ten dumbest states in the United States are Hawaii, Nevada, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, West Virginia, Louisiana, North Carolina, and Arizona. Of the ten dumbest states, seven are located in the South. Hawaii might come as a surprise to some, while Florida may be expected because of the notorious “Florida man” stories. Read information about the best and worst states for education and the most and least educated states.