Americans drink a lot of alcohol, but the amount depends heavily on where you live.
Some states see high numbers because of local culture, easy access, or tax rules that make buying alcohol cheaper.
Others stay near the bottom because of strong religious influence, tighter laws, or fewer outlets.
The latest insights show that a handful of states still lead the nation in alcohol use per person. The differences are striking. A resident in one state may drink nearly three times as much as someone in another.
Take a look at the rankings and see where your state stands in 2025.
| Rank | State | Gallons per person (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 4.67 | Consistently leads; low taxes attract out-of-state buyers |
| 2 | Delaware | 3.52 | Small population, high spirits use |
| 3 | Nevada | 3.42 | Tourism and nightlife drive numbers |
| 4 | North Dakota | 3.16 | Highest binge drinking share |
| 5 | Montana | 3.10 | Rural but heavy beer and spirits use |
| 6 | Vermont | 3.06 | High wine and craft beer culture |
| 7 | Idaho | 2.94 | Above the national average, despite a strong rural presence |
| 8 | Wisconsin | 2.93 | Known for beer culture and high excessive use |
| 9 | Colorado | 2.88 | Beer and spirits are strong, tied to tourism |
| 10 | Alaska | 2.85 | High costs but high use |
| 11 | Maine | 2.85 | High beer and wine culture |
| 12 | Minnesota | 2.79 | Strong beer and spirits use |
| 13 | Wyoming | 2.78 | Small population but high consumption |
| 14 | Oregon | 2.74 | Wine and craft beer production |
| 15 | Hawaii | 2.66 | Strong spirits and tourist demand |
| 16 | Rhode Island | 2.63 | High wine and spirits |
| 17 | Florida | 2.61 | Driven by tourism and coastal cities |
| 18 | Massachusetts | 2.55 | High wine consumption |
| 19 | Louisiana | 2.55 | Spirits are central to culture |
| 20 | Missouri | 2.51 | Large beer industry |
| 21 | California | 2.49 | Highest total volume overall |
| 22 | Connecticut | 2.40 | Wine-driven consumption |
| 23 | Iowa | 2.39 | Strong beer use |
| 24 | Illinois | 2.39 | Big urban market, high spirits |
| 25 | South Dakota | 2.37 | Beer and spirits are both high |
| 26 | Michigan | 2.36 | Beer-driven culture |
| 27 | New Jersey | 2.36 | High wine but moderate beer |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | 2.34 | Spirits and beer steady |
| 29 | New Mexico | 2.24 | Lower overall but steady |
| 30 | Texas | 2.26 | High volume due to population |
| 31 | Arizona | 2.25 | Moderate wine and beer |
| 32 | Washington | 2.22 | Strong craft beer and wine |
| 33 | New York | 2.21 | High total volume, per capita lower |
| 34 | Mississippi | 2.17 | Rural, low median income |
| 34 | North Carolina | 2.17 | Large population, moderate use |
| 36 | South Carolina | 2.16 | Spirits use strong |
| 36 | Nebraska | 2.16 | Heavy beer consumption |
| 38 | Indiana | 2.15 | Average consumption |
| 39 | Tennessee | 2.14 | Lower than the national average |
| 40 | Virginia | 2.13 | Moderate alcohol culture |
| 41 | Maryland | 2.08 | High income, lower alcohol rates |
| 42 | Ohio | 2.03 | Spirits use steady |
| 43 | Alabama | 1.99 | Strong religious influence |
| 44 | Kentucky | 1.95 | Produces bourbon, but consumption is moderate |
| 45 | Kansas | 1.92 | Lower rates, conservative laws |
| 46 | Georgia | 1.90 | Religious influence lowers use |
| 47 | Oklahoma | 1.85 | Strict laws and lower income |
| 48 | Arkansas | 1.78 | Low beer and wine |
| 49 | West Virginia | 1.74 | Low income and cultural factors |
| 50 | Utah | 1.35 | Lowest in the country, Mormon influence |
| According to worldpopulationreview.com | |||
A Closer Look at the States That Lead the Nation in Alcohol Use for 2025
New Hampshire sits at the top of the list, with residents averaging close to 4.7 gallons of pure alcohol per person this year. That figure is more than double the national health goal and keeps the Granite State firmly in the number one spot.
Delaware holds second place, reporting 3.5 gallons per person, driven largely by spirits sales. Nevada ranks third at 3.4 gallons, with tourism and nightlife keeping demand high.
North Dakota follows at 3.1 gallons, where heavy binge drinking plays a central role. Montana closes the top five with just over 3 gallons per person.
What Sets the Leaders Apart
- New Hampshire: Low state taxes continue to attract buyers from across New England.
- Delaware: Spirits account for nearly two-thirds of total alcohol consumed.
- Nevada: Las Vegas and Reno push per capita figures higher than most states.
- North Dakota: Highest share of adults who report excessive drinking.
- Montana: Strong beer culture and rural drinking patterns keep numbers elevated.
Trends Worth Watching
- Tourism: States with major visitor economies, such as Nevada and Florida, often report higher consumption.
- Cross-border sales: Tax differences between neighboring states inflate numbers in places like New Hampshire and Delaware.
- Health impact: North Dakota and Montana also record some of the highest percentages of traffic deaths tied to alcohol.
The States Where Alcohol Consumption Remains the Lowest This Year
Some states continue to post very low drinking numbers in 2025. Utah remains at the bottom of the list, with about 1.3 gallons of alcohol per person. Religious influence, particularly from the Mormon community, is a central factor.
West Virginia follows with 1.7 gallons, shaped by both cultural traditions and economic conditions. Arkansas and Oklahoma each report around 1.8 gallons per person, while Georgia sits at 1.9 gallons.
Why These States Rank Low
- Strong religious presence plays a direct role in Utah and parts of the South.
- Lower household incomes and fewer alcohol outlets reduce consumption in states like West Virginia and Arkansas.
- Policy differences, including stricter sales laws, limit availability in Oklahoma.
Breaking Down Which States Prefer Beer, Wine, or Spirits the Most
Beer remains the dominant choice in much of the Midwest and the Northern Plains, wine leads in New England and California, and spirits drive the numbers in states with strong nightlife economies.
The breakdown by category gives us a clearer look at how local culture and state policies shape what ends up in the glass.
What the Latest Data Shows
| Category | Top States | Per Capita (gallons) | Key Factors Driving the Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beer | New Hampshire – 1.9, Montana – 1.6, Vermont – 1.6, North Dakota – 1.5, Maine – 1.4 | 1.3-1.9 | Strong brewing traditions, rural drinking culture, and cross-border sales in New England |
| Wine | New Hampshire – 0.8 Delaware – 0.8 Vermont – 0.8 California – 0.6 Massachusetts – 0.6 | 0.6-0.8 | Local production, affluent populations, cultural preference for wine at meals |
| Spirits | Delaware – 2.3, Nevada – 1.8, North Dakota – 1.6, Wisconsin – 1.6, Alaska – 1.3 | 1.3-2.3 | Tourism economies, binge drinking trends, and strong bar culture |
Insights from the Rankings
- Beer dominance: States with colder climates and long winters, such as North Dakota and Maine, maintain some of the highest beer consumption rates.
- Wine hotspots: New England’s combination of wealth and tradition pushes wine above the national average, with California joining due to its massive production base.
- Spirits surge: Delaware stands out nationwide, with spirits accounting for nearly two-thirds of its alcohol consumption. Nevada follows closely, tied to its casino and entertainment industries.
Health Risks Tied to Heavy Drinking Across the Country
The 2025 figures show how excessive alcohol use shapes both public health and safety. States at the top of the list face higher rates of binge drinking, more emergency room visits, and greater long-term medical costs.
States With the Highest Share of Adults Reporting Excessive Drinking
| State | Percent of Adults | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 24.7% | Highest rate in the nation |
| Wisconsin | 24.5% | Long beer culture and high binge rates |
| Alaska | 22.1% | Strong spirits consumption |
| Montana | 21.8% | High rural use |
| Illinois | 21.2% | Large urban binge drinking population |
National Impact in 2025
- Alcohol is linked to around 178,000 deaths every year.
- About 1 in 5 emergency room visits is tied to alcohol.
- Increased risk of liver disease, heart problems, and several cancers.
- Heavy use is also tied to higher rates of depression and anxiety.
The message from the data is clear. Where excessive drinking rates are highest, the human and economic toll grows heavier.
Alcohol and Road Safety
In 2025, alcohol continues to play a major role in deadly crashes across the United States. The national average shows that close to 30 percent of traffic fatalities involve alcohol, but several states report numbers far higher.
States With the Highest Share of Alcohol Related Fatal Crashes
| State | Percent of Fatal Crashes Linked to Alcohol | Note |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 46.7% | Nearly half of all road deaths involve alcohol |
| Montana | 46.3% | Rural state with long driving distances |
| Rhode Island | 40.4% | Small population but high alcohol impact |
| Maine | 39.8% | Drinking culture reflected in crash data |
| Hawaii | 38.0% | Strong spirits use tied to road safety |
- Alcohol related crashes remain one of the top causes of preventable deaths.
- States with high binge drinking also tend to see higher crash rates.
- Law enforcement continues to stress that stronger DUI penalties and public education are vital to reducing fatalities.
FAQs
The Bottom Line
Alcohol use in America remains uneven in 2025. Some states lead the charts year after year, while others hold steady at the bottom. The data shows how culture, policy, and lifestyle shape drinking patterns in powerful ways.
For many, the numbers are a reminder of tradition and community, but they also highlight the health and safety risks that come with excessive use.
Where your state lands on the list says something about local habits, but the national picture tells an even bigger story. Alcohol continues to touch nearly every part of American life.