The 10 Most Boring States in America (2026 Update)
The most boring state in the U.S. is Idaho, where 55% of people are married and the state boasts the 7th lowest population density in the country.
North Dakota ranks as the most overlooked state for travelers, with a mere travel interest of 3.2%, and only 15% of Americans having visited.
The most boring city in the U.S. is Lubbock, TX, ranking 73rd in arts per capita and 83rd in music venues per capita, along with limited food diversity.
From vibrant nightlife to endless outdoor adventures, certain places are brimming with activities. Unfortunately, the states we’re discussing today are renowned for their tranquility, often deemed the most boring states in America.
These are the states where conversations often revert to nostalgic tales of the past, evoking a sense of simpler times.
Before you take offense, consider this: we’d happily relocate to Idaho—the reigning champion of boring states—to engage in focused data analysis away from the hustle and bustle.
If only our partners would agree.
Now, without further ado, here’s a rundown of the most boring states in America:
Idaho tops the list, characterized by its high marriage rates and a population that thrives on simplicity.
Read on to discover how we determined our rankings and more about the top ten states.
How We Determined the Most Boring States in the U.S.
To gauge what constitutes “boring,” we relied on a robust analysis of recent Labor Statistics data. Drawing insights from a range of sources, we focused on societal norms that often evoke the “boring” label—think quiet, family-oriented lifestyles.
Utilizing data from the Census Bureau’s latest American Community Survey, we evaluated the following criteria:
-
Percentage of the population over 60 (higher indicates more boredom)
-
Percentage of the population over 15 that is married (higher indicates more boredom)
-
Percentage of households with children (higher indicates more boredom)
-
Population density (lower indicates more boredom)
If you’re still reading, we compiled the data and assigned rankings to each state from 1 to 50 based on these criteria, with 1 being the most boring. We then calculated an overall “Boring Score,” with the lowest score indicating the most boring state.
Interestingly, our findings confirmed the intuitive notion that Idaho is indeed the most boring state in the nation.
1. Idaho
Population: 1,635,483
Idaho stereotypes often highlight its residents’ affinity for meat and potatoes, embodying the state’s tranquil lifestyle.
Data indicates Idaho has one of the highest marriage rates, trailing only Utah, alongside notable rankings in population density and households with children.
Clearly, excitement in Idaho is often derived from the agricultural lifestyle. 😉
2. South Dakota
Population: 851,058
Famous for Mount Rushmore, South Dakota often seems overshadowed by its northern counterpart, with its outdoor ruggedness being its primary allure.
Overall, it doesn’t offer much beyond its scenic landscapes.
3. Nebraska
Population: 1,881,259
Consider Nebraska as a slightly livelier version of Idaho, boasting similar rankings but a tad more excitement.
Its culinary highlight? Pairing chili with a sweet cinnamon roll—an epitome of Midwestern charm.
4. Wyoming
Population: 583,029
Wyoming, with its vast landscapes and sparse population, ranks as the second least populated state, leading to a slower-paced lifestyle.
While weddings flourish here, the remoteness means boredom can settle in quickly.
5. Kansas
Population: 2,898,292
In my mental map, rectangular states often correlate with boredom, and Kansas proves this theory.
However, its renowned barbecue scene offers a delightful distraction from its otherwise tranquil reputation.
6. Iowa
Population: 3,106,589
Iowa’s ranking stems not just from families, but from an older demographic, contributing to its overall calmness.
7. Utah
Population: 2,948,427
Utah diverges from typical boring state criteria, boasting the lowest percentage of individuals over 60 yet the highest percentage of married couples and households with children.
This makes for a different kind of calm, predominantly filled with family activities.
8. Montana
Population: 1,023,391
Montana embodies a slower lifestyle, characterized by an aging population and limited activities.
9. Minnesota
Population: 5,450,868
With a reputation for being unremarkable, Minnesota maintains a steady yet calm lifestyle without extreme highs or lows.
10. Maine
Population: 1,329,923
Despite its coastal location, Maine’s demographics reveal a significant older population and a low number of households with children, depicting a serene lifestyle.
In Conclusion
We hope you found this exploration of America’s most boring states both entertaining and enlightening.
It may seem contradictory, but there’s a certain charm in the quieter corners of the nation, where life moves at a slower pace.
Detailed Ranking of the Most Boring States
| State | Rank |
|---|---|
| Idaho | 1 |
| South Dakota | 2 |
| Nebraska | 3 |
| Wyoming | 4 |
| Kansas | 5 |
| Iowa | 6 |
| Utah | 7 |
| Montana | 8 |
| Minnesota | 9 |
| Maine | 10 |
| Colorado | 11 |
| Alaska | 12 |
| Arkansas | 13 |
| New Hampshire | 14 |
| Oklahoma | 15 |
| Oregon | 16 |
| Washington | 17 |
| North Dakota | 18 |
| West Virginia | 19 |
| Wisconsin | 20 |
| Vermont | 21 |
| Arizona | 22 |
| Texas | 23 |
| Missouri | 24 |
| New Mexico | 25 |
| Nevada | 26 |
| Hawaii | 27 |
| Kentucky | 28 |
| Virginia | 29 |
| Tennessee | 30 |
| Indiana | 31 |
| North Carolina | 32 |
| New Jersey | 33 |
| Connecticut | 34 |
| Michigan | 35 |
| Alabama | 36 |
| South Carolina | 37 |
| Mississippi | 38 |
| Ohio | 39 |
| Georgia | 40 |
| Pennsylvania | 41 |
| Delaware | 42 |
| California | 43 |
| Illinois | 44 |
| Florida | 45 |
| Maryland | 46 |
| Louisiana | 47 |
| Massachusetts | 48 |
| Rhode Island | 49 |
| New York | 50 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
.jpg){kind=link}
