The 5 States Where People Get the Least Sleep

Eight hours of sleep. That is the rule most often mentioned as the measure of a good night’s sleep. Some people claim they can get by on less, and for a few, much less. And their claims might be true. Scientists recently discovered what they call the “Thatcher Gene,” which allows people who have it to get by on very little sleep. The gene is named for the U.K. prime minister who said she could get by on a very few hours.

The length of time that people sleep varies widely across the United States. It appears that some of this is related to the demographics of the sleepers. 24/7 Wall St. looked at sleep time by state, and these are the five where people sleep the shortest time, along with statistics that include mental health, heart disease, personal activity, income, and unemployment

1. South Dakota
> Pct. of adults getting insufficient sleep: 28.4%
> Avg. number of poor mental health days (per month): 2.7 (2nd lowest)
> Pct. of adults with heart disease: 4.2% (22nd highest)
> Pct. of adults who are physically active: 78.8% (15th highest)
> Personal income (per capita): $46,345 (21st highest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.4% (3rd lowest)

Only 28.4% of adults in South Dakota are sleep deprived, the lowest share of any state. Certain sleep disorders have been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, and South Dakota also has a lower annual rate of cardiovascular deaths than the national rate, at the 233 per 100,000 state residents compared to 251 cardiovascular deaths for every 100,000 Americans.

2. Colorado
> Pct. of adults getting insufficient sleep: 28.5%
> Avg. number of poor mental health days (per month): 3.2 (11th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with heart disease: 3.0% (3rd lowest)
> Pct. of adults who are physically active: 83.6% (the highest)
> Personal income (per capita): $48,730 (14th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 5.0% (15th lowest)

Fewer than 29% of adults in Colorado report inadequate sleep. As is the case in most states where a relatively small share of adults is sleep deprived, incomes in Colorado tend to be higher than across the country.
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3. Minnesota
> Pct. of adults getting insufficient sleep: 29.2%
> Avg. number of poor mental health days (per month): 2.8 (5th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with heart disease: 3.5% (7th lowest)
> Pct. of adults who are physically active: 79.8% (13th highest)
> Personal income (per capita): $48,711 (15th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.1% (6th lowest)

More adults are getting sufficient sleep in Minnesota than in every other state except for Colorado and South Dakota. Sleep is linked to a number of other healthy behaviors and outcomes, and Minnesota residents are the least likely in the country to die from preventable causes.

4. Nebraska
> Pct. of adults getting insufficient sleep: 30.4%
> Avg. number of poor mental health days (per month): 2.8 (5th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with heart disease: 3.9% (16th lowest)
> Pct. of adults who are physically active: 78.7% (18th highest)
> Personal income (per capita): $47,073 (19th highest)
> Unemployment rate: 3.3% (2nd lowest)

Nearly 70% of adults in Nebraska are getting enough sleep. As is the case in the majority of states with relatively well rested residents, unemployment is low in Nebraska. Only 3.3% of the workforce is out a job, the second lowest unemployment rate in the country.

5. Idaho
> Pct. of adults getting insufficient sleep: 30.6%
> Avg. number of poor mental health days (per month): 3.2 (11th lowest)
> Pct. of adults with heart disease: 3.4% (6th lowest)
> Pct. of adults who are physically active: 81.3% (5th highest)
> Personal income (per capita): $37,533 (5th lowest)
> Unemployment rate: 4.8% (14th lowest)

Adults in Idaho are among the least likely to be sleep deprived. While incomes tend to be higher in states where a large share of adults are getting enough sleep, Idaho is a notable exception. Per capita income in Idaho is only $37,533, considerably less than the $46,129 the typical American earns.

Methodology: In order to determine the states getting the most (and least) sleep, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from the CDC on the percentage of adults by state reporting insufficient sleep, defined as less than seven hours per night. Other data, including personal income per capita, cardiovascular deaths, and physical activity were compiled by the United Health Foundation. Data on roadway deaths by state came from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. States were ranked from the smallest share of adults reporting insufficient sleep to the largest share. Unemployment rates are from the most recent annual comparable period.