Alcohol Consumption By State

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)
Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)
1.New HampshireNew Hampshire4.83
2.DelawareDelaware4.01
3.District of ColumbiaDistrict of Columbia3.79
4.NevadaNevada3.43
5.MontanaMontana3.32
6.North DakotaNorth Dakota3.26
7.VermontVermont3.22
8.WisconsinWisconsin3.11
9.MaineMaine2.99
10.ColoradoColorado2.97
11.WyomingWyoming2.94
12.MinnesotaMinnesota2.85
13.AlaskaAlaska2.83
14.FloridaFlorida2.74
15.HawaiiHawaii2.71
16.OregonOregon2.71
17.Rhode IslandRhode Island2.71
18.MissouriMissouri2.68
19.CaliforniaCalifornia2.63
20.New JerseyNew Jersey2.63
21.MassachusettsMassachusetts2.62
22.LouisianaLouisiana2.59
23.MichiganMichigan2.53
24.ConnecticutConnecticut2.5
25.IllinoisIllinois2.42
26.TexasTexas2.41
27.MississippiMississippi2.39
28.IndianaIndiana2.34
29.IowaIowa2.34
30.South DakotaSouth Dakota2.34
31.PennsylvaniaPennsylvania2.32
32.North CarolinaNorth Carolina2.31
33.New MexicoNew Mexico2.3
34.TennesseeTennessee2.3
35.VirginiaVirginia2.27
36.WashingtonWashington2.26
37.ArizonaArizona2.24
38.New YorkNew York2.22
39.NebraskaNebraska2.17
40.MarylandMaryland2.15
41.KansasKansas2.12
42.KentuckyKentucky2.12
43.OhioOhio2.12
44.South CarolinaSouth Carolina2.12
45.IdahoIdaho2.1
46.AlabamaAlabama2.08
47.ArkansasArkansas1.92
48.GeorgiaGeorgia1.91
49.OklahomaOklahoma1.85
50.West VirginiaWest Virginia1.82
51.UtahUtah1.36

Alcohol Consumption Trends Across the United States

Alcohol consumption is a measure of societal habits across the United States, reflecting not only personal choices but also regional characteristics, economic factors, and cultural influences. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Americans consumed a remarkable 7.9 billion gallons of alcohol in 2020, highlighting the country's increasing appetite for alcohol since 1995. Within this context, this article examines ethanol per capita by state, offering an in-depth understanding of drinking trends across the United States. Several key findings have emerged from the data:

  • The northern New England state, New Hampshire, tops the list as the state with the highest per capita alcohol consumption at 4.83 gallons. This figure is closely followed by Delaware (4.01 gallons) and the District of Columbia (3.79 gallons).
  • The states with the lowest per capita alcohol consumption are predominantly located in the South, with West Virginia (1.82 gallons), Oklahoma (1.85 gallons), and Georgia (1.91 gallons) among the states recording the least consumption.
  • Western states such as Nevada (3.43 gallons) and Montana (3.32 gallons) show substantial alcohol consumption aligning with regional trends, which denotes the West Coast as the region with highest per capita consumption rate, averaging 2.56 gallons.
  • Utah, with a unique demographic heavily influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, who counsels its members against consuming alcohol, has the lowest consumption rate in the country at 1.36 gallons per capita.
  • The data showcases regional variations, with states in the North East and North Central having a generally higher ethanol per capita compared to the South. However, this doesn't translate into total volume. The South consumes the most alcohol in volume, but when broken down per capita, it pales compared to other regions.

States that Consume the Most Alcohol

The states that top the list for the highest per capita alcohol consumption span across different regions in the USA. Notably, the northern New England state, New Hampshire, takes the cake for being the state with the highest per capita alcohol consumption, with 4.83 gallons per head per year. Delaware, a Mid-Atlantic state is not far behind with a per capita consumption level of 4.01 gallons, followed by the District of Columbia with a per capita alcohol consumption of 3.79 gallons. Western states also record substantial per capita consumption figures. Nevada, known for its lax liquor laws, ranks 4th with 3.43 gallons per head, while Montana follows closely with an average alcohol consumption of 3.32 gallons per person. North Dakota, despite its relatively small population, accounts for a significant ethanol per capita at 3.26 gallons. Nestled in New England, Vermont ranks 7th with a per capita consumption of 3.22 gallons. Going further north, Wisconsin - a state known for its cheese and beer, stands at 8th position with a rate of 3.11 gallons, followed by its neighbor, Maine with a consumption of 2.99 gallons per head. States that Consume the Most Alcohol (gallons per capita):

  1. New Hampshire - 4.83 gallons per capita
  2. Delaware - 4.01 gallons per capita
  3. District of Columbia - 3.79 gallons per capita
  4. Nevada - 3.43 gallons per capita
  5. Montana - 3.32 gallons per capita
  6. North Dakota - 3.26 gallons per capita
  7. Vermont - 3.22 gallons per capita
  8. Wisconsin - 3.11 gallons per capita
  9. Maine - 2.99 gallons per capita
  10. Colorado - 2.97 gallons per capita

States that Drink the Least Alcohol

Leading the list with the least per capita alcohol consumption is the state of Utah, registering a significantly low figure of 1.36 gallons. This owes to Utah's unique demographic makeup, largely influenced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which advises its members against alcohol consumption.
West Virginia follows with a similarly low per capita consumption of 1.82 gallons. Oklahoma, located in the South, mirrors this trend, categorizing a per capita consumption of 1.85 gallons. Next, we have Georgia with an ethanol consumption of 1.91 gallons per capita and Arkansas with 1.92 gallons. Alabama is slightly above with 2.08 gallons. Idaho, though geographically distant from these states, shares a similar trait with a per capita alcohol consumption of 2.1 gallons. Finally, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Ohio each have corresponding per capita ethanol consumption of 2.12 gallons. These measurements reveal a counterintuitive facet of alcohol consumption in America, given the South's overall volume of alcohol consumption. States with the least per capita alcohol consumption are:

  1. Utah - 1.36 Gallons
  2. West Virginia - 1.82 Gallons
  3. Oklahoma - 1.85 Gallons
  4. Georgia - 1.91 Gallons
  5. Arkansas - 1.92 Gallons
  6. Alabama - 2.08 Gallons
  7. Idaho - 2.1 Gallons
  8. Kentucky - 2.12 Gallons
  9. South Carolina - 2.12 Gallons
  10. Ohio - 2.12 Gallons

By Region

Alabama

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Alabama

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.08

#46

Alaska

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Alaska

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.83

#13

Arizona

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Arizona

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.24

#37

Arkansas

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Arkansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

1.92

#47

California

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California

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.63

#19

Colorado

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Colorado

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.97

#10

Connecticut

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Connecticut

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.5

#24

Delaware

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Delaware

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

4.01

#2

District of Columbia

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District of Columbia

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

3.79

#3

Florida

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Florida

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.74

#14

Georgia

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Georgia

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

1.91

#48

Hawaii

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Hawaii

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.71

#15

Idaho

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Idaho

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.1

#45

Illinois

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Illinois

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.42

#25

Indiana

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Indiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.34

#28

Iowa

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Iowa

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.34

#29

Kansas

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Kansas

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.12

#41

Kentucky

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Kentucky

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.12

#42

Louisiana

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Louisiana

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.59

#22

Maine

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Maine

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.99

#9

Maryland

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Maryland

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.15

#40

Massachusetts

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Massachusetts

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.62

#21

Michigan

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Michigan

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.53

#23

Minnesota

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Minnesota

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.85

#12

Mississippi

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Mississippi

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.39

#27

Missouri

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Missouri

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.68

#18

Montana

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Montana

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

3.32

#5

Nebraska

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Nebraska

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.17

#39

Nevada

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Nevada

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

3.43

#4

New Hampshire

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New Hampshire

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

4.83

#1

New Jersey

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New Jersey

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.63

#20

New Mexico

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New Mexico

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.3

#33

New York

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New York

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.22

#38

North Carolina

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North Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.31

#32

North Dakota

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North Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

3.26

#6

Ohio

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Ohio

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.12

#43

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

1.85

#49

Oregon

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Oregon

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.71

#16

Pennsylvania

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Pennsylvania

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.32

#31

Rhode Island

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Rhode Island

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.71

#17

South Carolina

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South Carolina

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.12

#44

South Dakota

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South Dakota

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.34

#30

Tennessee

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Tennessee

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.3

#34

Texas

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Texas

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.41

#26

Utah

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Utah

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

1.36

#51

Vermont

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Vermont

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

3.22

#7

Virginia

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Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.27

#35

Washington

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Washington

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.26

#36

West Virginia

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West Virginia

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

1.82

#50

Wisconsin

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Wisconsin

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

3.11

#8

Wyoming

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Wyoming

Metric

Value

Rank

Ethanol per Capita (Gallons)

2.94

#11

Table

Region ↕Ethanol per Capita (Gallons) ↕
Alabama iconAlabama2.08
Alaska iconAlaska2.83
Arizona iconArizona2.24
Arkansas iconArkansas1.92
California iconCalifornia2.63
Colorado iconColorado2.97
Connecticut iconConnecticut2.5
Delaware iconDelaware4.01
District of Columbia iconDistrict of Columbia3.79
Florida iconFlorida2.74
Georgia iconGeorgia1.91
Hawaii iconHawaii2.71
Idaho iconIdaho2.1
Illinois iconIllinois2.42
Indiana iconIndiana2.34
Iowa iconIowa2.34
Kansas iconKansas2.12
Kentucky iconKentucky2.12
Louisiana iconLouisiana2.59
Maine iconMaine2.99
Maryland iconMaryland2.15
Massachusetts iconMassachusetts2.62
Michigan iconMichigan2.53
Minnesota iconMinnesota2.85
Mississippi iconMississippi2.39
Missouri iconMissouri2.68
Montana iconMontana3.32
Nebraska iconNebraska2.17
Nevada iconNevada3.43
New Hampshire iconNew Hampshire4.83
New Jersey iconNew Jersey2.63
New Mexico iconNew Mexico2.3
New York iconNew York2.22
North Carolina iconNorth Carolina2.31
North Dakota iconNorth Dakota3.26
Ohio iconOhio2.12
Oklahoma iconOklahoma1.85
Oregon iconOregon2.71
Pennsylvania iconPennsylvania2.32
Rhode Island iconRhode Island2.71
South Carolina iconSouth Carolina2.12
South Dakota iconSouth Dakota2.34
Tennessee iconTennessee2.3
Texas iconTexas2.41
Utah iconUtah1.36
Vermont iconVermont3.22
Virginia iconVirginia2.27
Washington iconWashington2.26
West Virginia iconWest Virginia1.82
Wisconsin iconWisconsin3.11
Wyoming iconWyoming2.94
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