Do you live in the loneliest state in America?

Loneliness seems to be a pervasive part of life in the United States. In 2023, the surgeon general warned of an epidemic of loneliness. And the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that 40.6% of Americans say they sometimes, usually or always feel lonely. Increasing rates of social isolation have likely played a role. In states like Oregon and Alaska, where fewer people report regularly hanging out with friends and talking on the phone, loneliness is especially prevalent.

Still, social engagement may not be a cure-all for loneliness. In New York state, more people than anywhere else in the country hang out with and call friends and family at least three times a week, but 44% say they don’t consistently receive the emotional support they need — one of the highest rates in the nation. That lack of support, even if you don’t spend much time alone, can contribute to lonely feelings.

To better understand how social engagement and emotional support shape loneliness, Yahoo News used data from the Census Household Pulse Survey to visualize the loneliest states. Explore the map and table to see the loneliest states and how social connection contributes to differences.