The Daddest States: Where Dad Jokes Abound

How do we define a “dad”? Is it based on the number of children, the frequency of dad jokes, or perhaps the pristine whiteness of their New Balance sneakers?

We dedicated time to explore this whimsical yet serious inquiry.

Being a dad encompasses more than just fathering a child; it involves the unique parenting quirks and dad-isms that come with the territory.

In celebration of Father’s Day, we sought to identify the “daddest” states in the U.S.

Below, you’ll find our serious methodology and how your state ranks in dadness:

Our Most Notable, Fatherly Findings

Iowa claims the title of the daddest state, while Florida holds the spot as the least dad-like.
The Midwest stands out as a hub of dad culture, where New Balances are a fashion staple and culinary requests for well-done steaks are firmly declined.
Conversely, the West Coast exhibits a distinct lack of dad attributes.
The greatest grill enthusiasts can be found in Montana.
Dads in North Carolina are the most generous, spending an average of $17,666 annually on their children.
Wyoming is recognized as the birthplace of dad jokes, while Rhode Island seems to be devoid of laughter.

The Daddest States

The Least Dad States

Scroll down to discover the most dad-centric states, the least dad-like, and those that fall somewhere in between.

Our Methodology

We evaluated four key dad traits in each state:

Average annual expenditure on children
BBQ culture and enthusiasm
Popularity of New Balance footwear
Interest in dad jokes

The first factor we considered was the average amount spent per child annually in each state, using data from reputable sources. After all, a significant aspect of fatherhood is providing for your children financially.

Next, we analyzed social indicators of fatherhood, including BBQ interests, fashion choices (like New Balances), and the prevalence of dad jokes. We combined relevant Google search trends to determine which state embodies the essence of dadness.

Continue reading to see where your state ranks in terms of dad culture.

“If you love dad jokes but don’t have kids, what does that make you?”

A Faux Pa.

But there’s no shame in being a faux pa! Embrace your blindingly white New Balances and share your go-to dry rub recipe. While you’re at it, go ahead and

The Daddest States, Ranked

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

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

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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