The 10 Nerdiest States (And Where Nerds Prefer to Stay Away)

Nerdiest States Research Summary

The nerdiest state in the U.S. is Utah, leading in searches for nerd-related hobbies and interests.

The least nerdy state in the U.S. is Mississippi, where residents are more likely to enjoy sweet tea and sports than tabletop games.

There are approximately 12-15 million active Dungeons & Dragons players in the U.S.

Star Trek boasts a fan base of at least 15 million Americans, while 18% of the population has read all of the Harry Potter books.

What defines a nerd? Is it the consumption of Mountain Dew, the number of glasses worn, or perhaps the collective passion for niche interests? And where do the most passionate enthusiasts reside in the U.S.?

We undertook this serious inquiry to determine the nerdiest states by analyzing internet search data, defining a nerd as someone with a deep enthusiasm for specific subjects or hobbies. Our findings reveal just how nerdy each state (and you) might be.

Other Important Findings

Overall, states in the West and Pacific Northwest exhibit a higher tendency towards nerdy interests.
Surprisingly, Alaska ranks second, showcasing a robust nerd culture.
The love for Star Trek is a significant contributor to Alaska’s high ranking. Who knows how many Klingon speakers live there?
Oregon is a hotspot for costume enthusiasts and live-action role-players.
On the whole, Southern states tend to rank as the least nerdy regions in the country.

The Nerdiest States

The Least Nerdy States

Scroll to the bottom to see the complete list of all 50 states, ranked from nerdiest to least nerdy.

How We Determined This

We focused on the most obsession-driven, nerd-friendly hobbies:

Star Wars
Star Trek
Dungeons & Dragons
Live Action Role-Playing (LARPing)
Harry Potter

To identify the states with the most passionate fans, we analyzed Google Trends data for state-level search volumes related to these interests. Searches included queries like “Dungeons and Dragons games near me,” inquiries regarding the Star Wars universe, and fanfiction related to Harry Potter.

By averaging the search interest across these categories, we could rank the states based on their nerdiness — with the higher average indicating a more enthusiastic fandom.

Embracing Your Inner Nerd

There’s absolutely no shame in being passionate about your hobbies and interests. In fact, it’s quite cool to embrace your inner nerd! So whether you’re waving your nerd flag, wielding a LARP sword, or practicing your best Wookiee impression, wear your interests with pride.

Moreover, you don’t have to keep your nerdiness confined to your personal time. There are careers out there that celebrate your passions, from exciting tech roles to creative positions in fandom-related industries. Whatever your interest, there’s likely a job that allows you to channel your inner nerd during working hours.

The Nerdiest States, Ranked From Most Nerdy To Least

Rank	State
1	Utah
2	Alaska
3	Oregon
4	Idaho
5	Washington
6	New Hampshire
7	Vermont
8	Colorado
9	Maine
10	Arizona
11	Indiana
12	Montana
13	Virginia
14	Wyoming
14	Wisconsin
16	Missouri
17	Iowa
18	Minnesota
19	Kansas
20	Michigan
21	Kentucky
22	Massachusetts
23	West Virginia
24	Connecticut
25	Ohio
26	Hawaii
27	North Dakota
27	Oklahoma
29	Nebraska
30	Pennsylvania
31	California
32	Nevada
32	Arkansas
34	New Mexico
35	Tennessee
36	Delaware
37	Maryland
38	Illinois
39	South Dakota
40	Rhode Island
41	Florida
42	Texas
43	Alabama
44	North Carolina
45	New Jersey
46	New York
46	Georgia
48	South Carolina
49	Louisiana
50	Mississippi

Author

Kathy Morris

Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.

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The 10 Nerdiest States (And Where The Nerds Want To Avoid)

The 10 Nerdiest States (And Where Nerds Prefer to Stay Away)

Other Important Findings

How We Determined This

Embracing Your Inner Nerd