While every U.S. state has its unique beauty and pros and cons, some states are considered to be just boring. Choosing the most “boring” states is subjective, and every person will certainly be able to pinpoint their choice on the map. There are states with fewer cities, fewer activities, no parties or events, fewer people, and just an overall slower way of life.
It’s important to note that some people might consider something “boring” while others consider it to be “peaceful.” Just because a state is labeled as boring doesn’t mean that people wouldn’t want to live there.
Ranking the Most Boring States
Zippia analyzed all 50 states to determine which ones are the most boring in the country. Using data from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey from 2012-2016, Zippia looked at the following “boring” criteria:
- Percent of the population over 60
- Percent of the population over 15 that is married
- Percent of household with kids
- Population density
For the percent of the population over 60, percent married, and percent of households with kids, higher is more boring. For population density, lower is more boring.
After collecting the data, each state was ranked from 1 to 50 on each of the four criteria. The result of averaging the rankings for every four criteria. The state with the lowest score is the most boring.
1. Idaho
Idaho takes the number one spot for the most boring state in the country. Idaho has a population of 1.78 million people over 83,569 square miles of land, resulting in a population density of about 21.6 persons per square mile, the seventh-lowest in the country. This is great for people looking for minimum traffic and less human interaction overall. Additionally, 55% of people over 15 are married and 35% of households have children.
2. South Dakota
South Dakota is most likely not the place you think of when you’re planning an exciting vacation unless you want to see Mount Rushmore. Outside of that, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Pierre, there’s not much going on. With a population of 884,569 people, it has the fifth-lowest population density of just 11.44 persons per square mile. About three-quarters of the state’s total population lives in the three aforementioned cities, so outside of that, the population density is even lower.
3. Nebraska
Nebraska is the third-most boring state in the U.S. About 53% of households are married and 32% of households have children. With a population of about 1.93 million, Nebraska has a population density of 24.94 persons per square mile, the 8th lowest in the country.
4. Wyoming
Wyoming is the second-least densely populated state in the country behind Alaska and is the fourth-most boring state. This landlocked state has the smallest population of any state at 578,000, giving it a population density of just 5.97 persons per square mile. Additionally, Wyoming has the third-highest rate of married people. Wyoming is also one of the top ten most beautiful states in the United States, as it is home to Yellowstone and one of the clearest night skies in the country.
5. Kansas
Kansas is a lot of openness and wind farms. About 53% of people are married and 33% of households have kids. Kansas a population density of 34.9 persons per square mile. More than 38% of the state’s population lives in Johnson County and Sedgwick County, making the rest of the state relatively empty. Many counties in Kansas have very few people and low population densities. Greeley County has 1,227 residents and a population density of just 1.58 persons per square mile.
6. Iowa
Iowa is the sixth-most boring state on the list. Of Iowa’s population of 3.1 million, 52% of people over 15 are married and 15% of the population is over 65 years old. Iowa is considered to be one of the best states for jobs, schools, and low crime rates, so it is also a great place for those looking to raise a family with a little quiet.
7. Utah
56% of Utah households are married in Utah and 42% of households have children. No other state has more married households with kids. Utah does, however, have the second-youngest population in the U.S. with only 10% of people over 65. Utah may be the seventh-most boring state in the U.S., but it is one of the most beautiful states as well. The state is home to five national parks, include the Arches National Park, and the Bonneville Salt Flats.
8. Montana
Montana is another beautiful state that boring. The state spans over 147,040 square miles with a population of just over 1 million people. This results in the third-lowest population density in the U.S. of 7.09 persons per square mile. About 16% of Montana’s population is over 65 and 52% of households are married. Montana, however, has the fourth-lowest percentage of households with kids at 28%.
9. Minnesota
Minnesota is the ninth-most boring state in the United States. The state has the largest population so far on the list of 5.45 million people and the highest population density so far of 68.9 persons per square mile. About 53% of people in Minnesota are married and 23% have kids.
10. Maine
Finishing the top ten list of most boring states is Maine. Maine has the second-oldest population in the country with 17% of the population over 65 years old (only Florida is older). About 51% of households are married in Maine. The state is home to about 1.3 million people, resulting in a population density of 43.8 persons per square mile, the 13th lowest in the country.