Special Report

States Where the Most People Are Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine

Samuel Stebbins

Published: July 18, 2021 5:45 am

Recent surges of the Delta variant in much of the United States are attributable part to vaccine hesitancy.

According to a recent survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 26,760,000 Americans — or 10.7% of the 18 and older population — say they will either probably or definitely not agree to receive the vaccination when given the opportunity.

The share of eligible residents who will likely refuse vaccination varies considerably nationwide, from as many as 25.7% of the adult population to as little as 3.2%, depending on the state. States where the largest shares of adults are open to taking the vaccine are concentrated in the Northeast, while states in the West are home to the largest shares of adults reluctant to get vaccinated.

The majority of Americans who have yet to be vaccinated cite one of three reasons: either they are concerned about possible side effects, or they want to wait to see if it is safe, or they think that others would benefit more than themselves from a vaccination. Others cite different reasons.

Nationwide, 16,360,000 people, 6.6% of the adult population, do not trust the COVID-19 vaccines, and 4,620,000, or 1.9%, do not trust vaccines in general. Additionally, 12,020,000 American adults, or 4.8% of the 18 and older population, have not been vaccinated because they do not trust the government.

Meanwhile, the virus continues to spread. Since the beginning of the pandemic, there have been 33,451,965 confirmed cases of the virus and a total of 601,231 Americans have died as a result.

So far, 158,954,417 Americans — or 48.6% of the total population — have received the full course of vaccinations necessary to protect against COVID-19.

All survey data used in this story was published by the Census on July 14, 2021. All data related to COVID-19 infections, fatalities, and vaccinations is current as of July 9, 2021.

Alabama
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 676,694 (18.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,629,745 (33.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,323 per 100,000 people (total: 553,476)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 233 per 100,000 people (total: 11,391)

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Alaska
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 106,725 (20.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 325,118 (44.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,313 per 100,000 people (total: 68,674)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 50 per 100,000 people (total: 370)

These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Arizona
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 624,151 (11.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,196,388 (44.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,525 per 100,000 people (total: 898,283)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 251 per 100,000 people (total: 18,004)

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Arkansas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 416,657 (18.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,051,172 (34.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,716 per 100,000 people (total: 353,095)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 197 per 100,000 people (total: 5,933)

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

California
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,520,554 (5.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 20,124,209 (50.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,407 per 100,000 people (total: 3,721,006)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 160 per 100,000 people (total: 63,259)

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Colorado
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 430,797 (9.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,043,908 (53.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,840 per 100,000 people (total: 560,419)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 120 per 100,000 people (total: 6,824)

These are all the counties in Colorado where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Connecticut
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 88,035 (3.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,196,584 (61.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,789 per 100,000 people (total: 349,743)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 232 per 100,000 people (total: 8,278)

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Delaware
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 65,283 (8.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 496,904 (51.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,363 per 100,000 people (total: 109,900)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 175 per 100,000 people (total: 1,695)

These are all the counties in Delaware where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Florida
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 2,090,235 (12.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 10,064,763 (47.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,037 per 100,000 people (total: 2,350,730)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 179 per 100,000 people (total: 38,097)

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Georgia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,137,990 (14.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,942,675 (37.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,814 per 100,000 people (total: 1,137,560)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 204 per 100,000 people (total: 21,467)

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Hawaii
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 55,597 (5.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 743,689 (52.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 2,585 per 100,000 people (total: 36,714)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 36 per 100,000 people (total: 515)

These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Idaho
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 262,418 (19.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 653,630 (37.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,148 per 100,000 people (total: 195,552)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 123 per 100,000 people (total: 2,162)

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Illinois
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 900,219 (9.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 5,959,419 (46.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,943 per 100,000 people (total: 1,394,235)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 202 per 100,000 people (total: 25,733)

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Indiana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 787,638 (15.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,895,106 (43.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,298 per 100,000 people (total: 756,070)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 208 per 100,000 people (total: 13,892)

These are all the counties in Indiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Iowa
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 319,320 (13.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,534,863 (48.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,862 per 100,000 people (total: 374,381)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 195 per 100,000 people (total: 6,149)

These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Kansas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 311,511 (14.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,240,084 (42.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,977 per 100,000 people (total: 319,586)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 177 per 100,000 people (total: 5,166)

These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Kentucky
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 582,894 (17.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,977,640 (44.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,434 per 100,000 people (total: 466,244)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 162 per 100,000 people (total: 7,250)

These are all the counties in Kentucky where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Louisiana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 599,392 (17.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,660,099 (35.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,425 per 100,000 people (total: 485,803)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 231 per 100,000 people (total: 10,765)

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Maine
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 139,341 (13.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 838,767 (62.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,170 per 100,000 people (total: 69,192)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 64 per 100,000 people (total: 861)

These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Maryland
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 340,207 (7.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 3,451,899 (57.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,659 per 100,000 people (total: 462,835)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 161 per 100,000 people (total: 9,758)

These are all the counties in Maryland where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Massachusetts
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 257,394 (4.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,308,593 (62.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,294 per 100,000 people (total: 710,519)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 261 per 100,000 people (total: 18,008)

These are all the counties in Massachusetts where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Michigan
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 967,325 (12.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,772,417 (47.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,016 per 100,000 people (total: 1,001,153)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 210 per 100,000 people (total: 21,036)

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Minnesota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 402,161 (9.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,967,470 (52.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,800 per 100,000 people (total: 606,034)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 137 per 100,000 people (total: 7,708)

These are all the counties in Minnesota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Mississippi
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 396,122 (18.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 992,537 (33.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,837 per 100,000 people (total: 323,641)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 249 per 100,000 people (total: 7,437)

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Missouri
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 511,903 (11.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,434,775 (39.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,247 per 100,000 people (total: 627,804)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 153 per 100,000 people (total: 9,377)

These are all the counties in Missouri where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Montana
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 123,553 (15.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 464,357 (43.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,741 per 100,000 people (total: 114,102)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 157 per 100,000 people (total: 1,671)

These are all the counties in Montana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Nebraska
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 156,967 (11.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 931,751 (48.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,666 per 100,000 people (total: 225,069)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 117 per 100,000 people (total: 2,262)

These are all the counties in Nebraska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Nevada
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 202,261 (8.4% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,318,982 (43.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,092 per 100,000 people (total: 336,562)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 188 per 100,000 people (total: 5,705)

These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

New Hampshire
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 116,439 (10.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 777,226 (57.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 7,346 per 100,000 people (total: 99,652)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 101 per 100,000 people (total: 1,374)

These are all the counties in New Hampshire where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

New Jersey
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 331,802 (4.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,997,066 (56.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,503 per 100,000 people (total: 1,024,748)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 297 per 100,000 people (total: 26,490)

These are all the counties in New Jersey where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

New Mexico
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 131,698 (8.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,165,333 (55.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,831 per 100,000 people (total: 205,996)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 207 per 100,000 people (total: 4,347)

These are all the counties in New Mexico where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

New York
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,177,313 (7.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 10,737,923 (54.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,828 per 100,000 people (total: 2,116,107)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 273 per 100,000 people (total: 53,385)

These are all the counties in New York where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

North Carolina
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 785,219 (9.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,456,039 (42.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,787 per 100,000 people (total: 1,016,262)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 130 per 100,000 people (total: 13,460)

These are all the counties in North Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

North Dakota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 124,049 (22.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 299,715 (39.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,579 per 100,000 people (total: 110,808)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 201 per 100,000 people (total: 1,530)

These are all the counties in North Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Ohio
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 1,319,238 (15.0% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 5,309,302 (45.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,521 per 100,000 people (total: 1,113,006)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 174 per 100,000 people (total: 20,366)

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Oklahoma
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 487,114 (16.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,544,385 (39.2% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,669 per 100,000 people (total: 460,131)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 188 per 100,000 people (total: 7,407)

These are all the counties in Oklahoma where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Oregon
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 346,549 (10.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,300,922 (54.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 5,005 per 100,000 people (total: 209,764)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 67 per 100,000 people (total: 2,788)

These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Pennsylvania
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 859,353 (8.8% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 6,473,765 (50.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,474 per 100,000 people (total: 1,213,321)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 216 per 100,000 people (total: 27,718)

These are all the counties in Pennsylvania where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Rhode Island
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 45,908 (5.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 633,445 (59.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,446 per 100,000 people (total: 152,738)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 258 per 100,000 people (total: 2,730)

These are all the counties in Rhode Island where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

South Carolina
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 646,588 (16.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,027,081 (39.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,778 per 100,000 people (total: 598,809)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 194 per 100,000 people (total: 9,857)

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

South Dakota
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 110,237 (17.2% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 406,710 (46.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 14,128 per 100,000 people (total: 124,641)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 231 per 100,000 people (total: 2,039)

These are all the counties in South Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Tennessee
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 871,848 (16.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,589,941 (38.3% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 12,832 per 100,000 people (total: 868,738)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 186 per 100,000 people (total: 12,583)

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Texas
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 2,661,373 (12.5% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 12,205,276 (42.5% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,444 per 100,000 people (total: 2,997,665)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 179 per 100,000 people (total: 51,384)

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Utah
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 256,680 (11.3% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 1,220,762 (38.6% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 13,212 per 100,000 people (total: 417,653)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 76 per 100,000 people (total: 2,387)

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Vermont
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 22,640 (4.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 413,833 (66.1% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 3,648 per 100,000 people (total: 22,848)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 40 per 100,000 people (total: 250)

These are all the counties in Vermont where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Virginia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 398,042 (6.1% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,508,239 (52.9% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 8,006 per 100,000 people (total: 681,890)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 134 per 100,000 people (total: 11,441)

These are all the counties in Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Washington
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 563,709 (9.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 4,250,081 (56.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 6,026 per 100,000 people (total: 454,068)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 79 per 100,000 people (total: 5,973)

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

West Virginia
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 301,960 (21.9% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 693,240 (38.4% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 9,101 per 100,000 people (total: 164,346)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 161 per 100,000 people (total: 2,901)

These are all the counties in West Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Wisconsin
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 601,675 (13.6% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 2,945,809 (50.7% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 11,666 per 100,000 people (total: 678,232)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 140 per 100,000 people (total: 8,154)

These are all the counties in Wisconsin where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Wyoming
> Adults who will likely or definitely refuse vaccination: 111,246 (25.7% of total)
> Residents who are fully vaccinated: 206,571 (35.8% of population)
> Confirmed cases of COVID-19 to date: 10,859 per 100,000 people (total: 62,737)
> COVID-19-related fatalities to date: 130 per 100,000 people (total: 751)

These are all the counties in Wyoming where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.