America's Top and Least Drinking States: A Cultural and Regional Perspective

Unhealthy habits prevalence by states

October 29, 2025

4 min to read

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Top 5 drinking states: Wisconsin: 27%, North Dakota: 25%, Montana: 24%, Iowa: 24%, Minnesota: 23%.


Top 5 least drinking states: Utah: 9%, West Virginia: 11%, Arkansas: 12%, Alabama: 12%, Oklahoma: 13%.

America’s Top and Least Drinking States

Drinking patterns in America are far from uniform. State-level binge drinking data reveals major differences, often shaped by deep cultural roots, local laws, and even regional climate.

Binge drinking rate is defined as the self-reported prevalence of excessive alcohol consumption among adults aged 18 years and older in 2020.

Top 10 Drinking States

1. Wisconsin: 27%
2. North Dakota: 25%
3. Montana: 24%
4. Iowa: 24%
5. Minnesota: 23%
6. Nebraska: 23%
7. Illinois: 22%
8. South Dakota: 22%
9. Alaska: 22%
10. Colorado: 21%

Intriguing fact: Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Montana all sit at the top. Wisconsin in particular has a long-standing brewing heritage, high density of bars and breweries, and a social culture where drinking is both widely accepted and accessible. Cold climates and strong community traditions around beer and spirits help keep rates high in much of the Midwest and Upper Plains.

Least 10 Drinking States

1. Utah: 9%
2. West Virginia: 11%
3. Arkansas: 12%
4. Alabama: 12%
5. Oklahoma: 13%
6. Tennessee: 13%
7. Kentucky: 13%
8. Mississippi: 14%
9. Georgia: 14%
10. North Carolina: 15%

Intriguing fact: Utah stands out with the lowest rate by a wide margin at just 9%. This is closely tied to the state’s large Latter-day Saint (Mormon) population, for whom alcohol consumption is discouraged. Other states at the bottom, like West Virginia and Alabama, often have stricter alcohol regulations, drier counties, or cultural tendencies toward abstaining, especially in the South.

Why are these differences so stark?

States at the top, particularly in the Midwest and Upper Plains, often have long traditions of social drinking, loose alcohol laws, and a cultural connection to beer. Cold winters and community-focused lifestyles also contribute to more occasions for communal drinking. In contrast, states with lower drinking rates tend to have strong religious influences, stricter laws, and more "dry" regions that limit alcohol sales and consumption.

Conclusion

The gap between the Midwest’s most alcohol-friendly states and more abstaining states like Utah and West Virginia is dramatic, reflecting how culture, climate, and law shape American drinking patterns. For businesses, public health officials, and anyone planning to move, understanding these differences helps paint a clearer picture of daily life across the states.

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