Special Report
City With the Highest Excessive Drinking Rate in Every State
Published:
Excessive drinking is the third leading preventable cause of death in the United States. According to research by the National Institutes of Health, alcohol was involved in 72,558 deaths in 2017, about 2.6% of all deaths in the country that year and more than double the number of alcohol-related deaths in 1999.
To determine the drunkest city in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the percentage of men and women over 18 who report heavy or binge drinking in each state’s metro areas. Delaware, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont have only one metro area and ranks on the list by default. Metro-level data was aggregated from the 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program.
Excessive drinking includes both binge and heavy drinking. Heavy drinking is defined as consuming at least 15 drinks a week or averaging two or more drinks a day for men, according to the CDC. For women, it’s eight drinks or more per week or more than one drink on average a day. Binge drinking is defined as a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings a person’s blood alcohol concentration level to 0.08% or higher — estimated to take about five or more drinks within two hours for men and four or more drinks for women.
On average, 19.2% of adult Americans report binge or heavy drinking, but the rates vary greatly from city to city and between states. For example, in Salt Lake City, Utah, about 13.6% of adults drink excessively, the lowest share among all 382 U.S. metropolitan areas. In Appleton, Wisconsin, however, the excessive drinking rate is 30.8%, the highest of all metro areas in the U.S.
Within states, residents of urban areas almost always report higher excessive drinking rates than adults in non-metropolitan areas. There are exceptions, however. The drunkest metro areas in four states – North Dakota, South Dakota, New Hampshire, and Vermont — have lower excessive drinking rates than their respective states.
Regular and excessive consumption of alcohol can result in chronic conditions and other long-term health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease, and certain cancers. About half of alcohol-related deaths nationwide are due to liver disease or overdoses involving alcohol or alcohol combined with other drugs. These are the 25 most dangerous drugs currently on the market.
Click here to see the drunkest city in every state
Click here to see methodology
Alabama: Daphne-Fairhope-Foley
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.7% — #210 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Alabama: 14.9% — #47 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 29.6% — #162 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Alabama: 26.9% — #32 out of 50
> Median household income: $56,439 — #238 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Alabama: $51,734 — #46 out of 50
> MSA population: 223,234
[in-text-ad]
Alaska: Fairbanks
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.6% — #216 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Alaska: 17.6% — #35 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 40.9% — #13 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Alaska: 37.9% — #4 out of 50
> Median household income: $72,065 — #58 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Alaska: $75,463 — #12 out of 50
> MSA population: 96,849
24/7 Wall St.
Arizona: Lake Havasu City-Kingman
> Adults who drink excessively: 21.2% — #101 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Arizona: 18.1% — #31 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 24.3% — #279 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Arizona: 24.7% — #41 out of 50
> Median household income: $50,179 — #319 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Arizona: $62,055 — #28 out of 50
> MSA population: 212,181
Arkansas: Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.1% — #251 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Arkansas: 17.3% — #37 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 23.8% — #284 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Arkansas: 26.2% — #36 out of 50
> Median household income: $61,674 — #149 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Arkansas: $48,952 — #48 out of 50
> MSA population: 536,120
[in-text-ad-2]
California: San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles
> Adults who drink excessively: 24.4% — #20 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in California: 18.1% — #30 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 40.5% — #17 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in California: 28.7% — #29 out of 50
> Median household income: $77,265 — #37 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in California: $80,440 — #5 out of 50
> MSA population: 283,111
Colorado: Fort Collins
> Adults who drink excessively: 23.2% — #33 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Colorado: 21.3% — #12 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 32.6% — #92 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Colorado: 33.7% — #9 out of 50
> Median household income: $75,186 — #50 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Colorado: $77,127 — #9 out of 50
> MSA population: 356,899
[in-text-ad]
Connecticut: Norwich-New London
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.4% — #46 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Connecticut: 20.5% — #15 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 35.2% — #54 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Connecticut: 31.5% — #16 out of 50
> Median household income: $75,633 — #47 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Connecticut: $78,833 — #6 out of 50
> MSA population: 265,206
Delaware: Dover
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.9% — #141 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Delaware: 19.8% — #20 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 25.8% — #249 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Delaware: 26.0% — #37 out of 50
> Median household income: $58,001 — #208 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Delaware: $70,176 — #16 out of 50
> MSA population: 180,786
Florida: North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton
> Adults who drink excessively: 24.4% — #21 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Florida: 19.7% — #21 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 26.4% — #237 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Florida: 22.3% — #43 out of 50
> Median household income: $65,526 — #106 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Florida: $59,227 — #34 out of 50
> MSA population: 836,995
[in-text-ad-2]
Georgia: Savannah
> Adults who drink excessively: 20.2% — #132 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Georgia: 16.8% — #42 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 22.6% — #303 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Georgia: 20.3% — #47 out of 50
> Median household income: $60,371 — #181 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Georgia: $61,980 — #29 out of 50
> MSA population: 393,353
Hawaii: Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina
> Adults who drink excessively: 23.0% — #36 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Hawaii: 23.0% — #8 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 49.0% — #3 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Hawaii: 31.2% — #20 out of 50
> Median household income: $80,754 — #24 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Hawaii: $83,102 — #4 out of 50
> MSA population: 167,488
[in-text-ad]
Idaho: Pocatello
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.5% — #164 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Idaho: 17.1% — #41 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 28.6% — #184 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Idaho: 31.4% — #19 out of 50
> Median household income: $51,612 — #298 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Idaho: $60,999 — #31 out of 50
> MSA population: 94,588
Illinois: Springfield
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.0% — #60 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Illinois: 21.5% — #11 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 24.7% — #267 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Illinois: 31.1% — #21 out of 50
> Median household income: $62,205 — #141 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Illinois: $69,187 — #17 out of 50
> MSA population: 207,003
Indiana: Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.9% — #196 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Indiana: 18.6% — #27 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 18.6% — #343 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Indiana: 18.8% — #50 out of 50
> Median household income: $62,502 — #135 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Indiana: $57,603 — #37 out of 50
> MSA population: 2,076,531
[in-text-ad-2]
Iowa: Dubuque
> Adults who drink excessively: 28.1% — #2 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Iowa: 25.8% — #2 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 15.6% — #366 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Iowa: 26.8% — #33 out of 50
> Median household income: $62,178 — #143 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Iowa: $61,691 — #30 out of 50
> MSA population: 97,311
Kansas: Lawrence
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.1% — #182 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Kansas: 18.2% — #29 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 37.5% — #31 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Kansas: 19.9% — #48 out of 50
> Median household income: $64,233 — #114 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Kansas: $62,087 — #27 out of 50
> MSA population: 122,259
[in-text-ad]
Kentucky: Louisville/Jefferson County
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.7% — #211 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Kentucky: 17.2% — #38 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 22.8% — #299 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Kentucky: 25.5% — #39 out of 50
> Median household income: $61,172 — #162 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Kentucky: $52,295 — #44 out of 50
> MSA population: 1,266,389
24/7 Wall St.
Louisiana: New Orleans-Metairie
> Adults who drink excessively: 21.4% — #87 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Louisiana: 19.7% — #22 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 30.7% — #138 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Louisiana: 32.3% — #13 out of 50
> Median household income: $55,710 — #248 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Louisiana: $51,073 — #47 out of 50
> MSA population: 1,270,530
Maine: Portland-South Portland
> Adults who drink excessively: 24.2% — #22 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Maine: 22.0% — #9 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 30.4% — #145 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Maine: 35.4% — #7 out of 50
> Median household income: $71,913 — #59 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Maine: $58,924 — #35 out of 50
> MSA population: 538,500
[in-text-ad-2]
Maryland: Salisbury
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.9% — #203 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Maryland: 15.4% — #45 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 29.6% — #164 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Maryland: 28.8% — #28 out of 50
> Median household income: $61,283 — #156 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Maryland: $86,738 — #1 out of 50
> MSA population: 415,726
Massachusetts: Barnstable Town
> Adults who drink excessively: 26.5% — #8 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Massachusetts: 23.5% — #6 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 37.3% — #34 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Massachusetts: 30.2% — #22 out of 50
> Median household income: $85,042 — #16 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Massachusetts: $85,843 — #2 out of 50
> MSA population: 212,990
[in-text-ad]
Michigan: Monroe
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.8% — #40 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Michigan: 20.9% — #13 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 40.6% — #14 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Michigan: 29.3% — #26 out of 50
> Median household income: $62,839 — #128 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Michigan: $59,584 — #32 out of 50
> MSA population: 150,500
24/7 Wall St.
Minnesota: Duluth
> Adults who drink excessively: 25.2% — #16 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Minnesota: 23.2% — #7 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 34.5% — #67 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Minnesota: 29.7% — #25 out of 50
> Median household income: $60,316 — #182 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Minnesota: $74,593 — #13 out of 50
> MSA population: 289,383
Mississippi: Gulfport-Biloxi
> Adults who drink excessively: 16.6% — #319 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Mississippi: 14.8% — #48 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 21.4% — #320 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Mississippi: 19.6% — #49 out of 50
> Median household income: $50,642 — #310 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Mississippi: $45,792 — #50 out of 50
> MSA population: 417,665
[in-text-ad-2]
Missouri: St. Louis
> Adults who drink excessively: 21.6% — #71 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Missouri: 20.5% — #14 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 30.4% — #144 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Missouri: 27.1% — #31 out of 50
> Median household income: $66,417 — #98 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Missouri: $57,409 — #38 out of 50
> MSA population: 2,801,423
Montana: Missoula
> Adults who drink excessively: 23.5% — #28 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Montana: 21.9% — #10 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 36.2% — #44 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Montana: 44.8% — #1 out of 50
> Median household income: $57,347 — #221 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Montana: $57,153 — #40 out of 50
> MSA population: 119,600
[in-text-ad]
Nebraska: Lincoln
> Adults who drink excessively: 25.3% — #15 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Nebraska: 23.7% — #5 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 29.4% — #168 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Nebraska: 32.7% — #11 out of 50
> Median household income: $61,539 — #150 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Nebraska: $63,229 — #25 out of 50
> MSA population: 336,541
Nevada: Reno
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.3% — #50 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Nevada: 17.9% — #32 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 38.9% — #23 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Nevada: 29.1% — #27 out of 50
> Median household income: $72,132 — #57 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Nevada: $63,276 — #24 out of 50
> MSA population: 475,290
New Hampshire: Manchester-Nashua
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.1% — #178 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in New Hampshire: 20.2% — #17 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 34.4% — #69 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in New Hampshire: 31.5% — #17 out of 50
> Median household income: $83,626 — #19 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in New Hampshire: $77,933 — #8 out of 50
> MSA population: 417,025
[in-text-ad-2]
New Jersey: Ocean City
> Adults who drink excessively: 21.4% — #85 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in New Jersey: 16.0% — #44 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 31.7% — #107 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in New Jersey: 21.9% — #44 out of 50
> Median household income: $69,980 — #74 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in New Jersey: $85,751 — #3 out of 50
> MSA population: 92,039
New Mexico: Santa Fe
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.0% — #256 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in New Mexico: 16.7% — #43 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 28.4% — #190 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in New Mexico: 29.8% — #23 out of 50
> Median household income: $61,298 — #154 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in New Mexico: $51,945 — #45 out of 50
> MSA population: 150,358
[in-text-ad]
New York: Albany-Schenectady-Troy
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.7% — #41 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in New York: 19.2% — #25 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 24.1% — #281 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in New York: 20.6% — #46 out of 50
> Median household income: $73,398 — #53 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in New York: $72,108 — #14 out of 50
> MSA population: 880,381
24/7 Wall St.
North Carolina: Wilmington
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.8% — #151 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in North Carolina: 17.6% — #36 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 23.4% — #286 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in North Carolina: 27.6% — #30 out of 50
> Median household income: $57,667 — #215 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in North Carolina: $57,341 — #39 out of 50
> MSA population: 297,533
North Dakota: Fargo
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.5% — #45 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in North Dakota: 23.7% — #4 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 36.5% — #40 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in North Dakota: 42.3% — #2 out of 50
> Median household income: $62,820 — #129 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in North Dakota: $64,577 — #20 out of 50
> MSA population: 246,145
[in-text-ad-2]
Ohio: Cleveland-Elyria
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.4% — #166 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Ohio: 18.5% — #28 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 40.4% — #18 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Ohio: 32.2% — #14 out of 50
> Median household income: $57,228 — #227 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Ohio: $58,642 — #36 out of 50
> MSA population: 2,048,449
Oklahoma: Oklahoma City
> Adults who drink excessively: 15.3% — #351 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Oklahoma: 14.9% — #46 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 27.1% — #215 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Oklahoma: 26.5% — #34 out of 50
> Median household income: $60,605 — #174 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Oklahoma: $54,449 — #43 out of 50
> MSA population: 1,408,950
[in-text-ad]
Oregon: Bend
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.1% — #52 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Oregon: 19.5% — #24 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 26.6% — #231 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Oregon: 31.5% — #18 out of 50
> Median household income: $71,643 — #61 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Oregon: $67,058 — #18 out of 50
> MSA population: 197,692
24/7 Wall St.
Pennsylvania: Scranton–Wilkes-Barre
> Adults who drink excessively: 22.4% — #48 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Pennsylvania: 20.2% — #18 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 27.2% — #214 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Pennsylvania: 26.2% — #35 out of 50
> Median household income: $54,304 — #267 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Pennsylvania: $63,463 — #23 out of 50
> MSA population: 553,885
Rhode Island: Providence-Warwick
> Adults who drink excessively: 21.5% — #76 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Rhode Island: 19.7% — #23 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 36.6% — #39 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Rhode Island: 41.6% — #3 out of 50
> Median household income: $70,967 — #65 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Rhode Island: $71,169 — #15 out of 50
> MSA population: 1,624,578
[in-text-ad-2]
South Carolina: Hilton Head Island-Bluffton
> Adults who drink excessively: 24.1% — #23 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in South Carolina: 17.8% — #33 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 26.7% — #225 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in South Carolina: 31.8% — #15 out of 50
> Median household income: $71,252 — #62 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in South Carolina: $56,227 — #41 out of 50
> MSA population: 222,195
South Dakota: Sioux Falls
> Adults who drink excessively: 23.1% — #35 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in South Dakota: 24.3% — #3 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 27.4% — #212 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in South Dakota: 35.5% — #6 out of 50
> Median household income: $65,566 — #105 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in South Dakota: $59,533 — #33 out of 50
> MSA population: 268,833
[in-text-ad]
Tennessee: Knoxville
> Adults who drink excessively: 18.1% — #252 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Tennessee: 17.1% — #39 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 25.4% — #253 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Tennessee: 24.6% — #42 out of 50
> Median household income: $56,623 — #234 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Tennessee: $56,071 — #42 out of 50
> MSA population: 869,525
24/7 Wall St.
Texas: Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown
> Adults who drink excessively: 21.1% — #103 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Texas: 19.0% — #26 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 26.4% — #238 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Texas: 25.7% — #38 out of 50
> Median household income: $80,954 — #23 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Texas: $64,034 — #22 out of 50
> MSA population: 2,227,083
Utah: Salt Lake City
> Adults who drink excessively: 13.6% — #377 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Utah: 11.1% — #50 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 24.5% — #275 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Utah: 21.0% — #45 out of 50
> Median household income: $80,196 — #26 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Utah: $75,780 — #11 out of 50
> MSA population: 1,232,696
[in-text-ad-2]
Vermont: Burlington-South Burlington
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.6% — #161 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Vermont: 20.5% — #16 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 38.6% — #25 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Vermont: 34.3% — #8 out of 50
> Median household income: $74,909 — #51 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Vermont: $63,001 — #26 out of 50
> MSA population: 219,433
Virginia: Winchester
> Adults who drink excessively: 19.1% — #179 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Virginia: 17.7% — #34 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 30.3% — #148 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Virginia: 29.8% — #24 out of 50
> Median household income: $76,583 — #40 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Virginia: $76,456 — #10 out of 50
> MSA population: 139,125
[in-text-ad]
Washington: Wenatchee
> Adults who drink excessively: 20.2% — #131 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Washington: 17.1% — #40 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 30.8% — #135 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Washington: 32.5% — #12 out of 50
> Median household income: $60,532 — #175 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Washington: $78,687 — #7 out of 50
> MSA population: 120,629
West Virginia: Wheeling
> Adults who drink excessively: 17.7% — #271 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in West Virginia: 14.4% — #49 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 34.6% — #65 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in West Virginia: 25.2% — #40 out of 50
> Median household income: $50,440 — #314 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in West Virginia: $48,850 — #49 out of 50
> MSA population: 138,948
Wisconsin: Appleton
> Adults who drink excessively: 30.8% — #1 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Wisconsin: 27.1% — #1 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 31.1% — #123 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Wisconsin: 35.7% — #5 out of 50
> Median household income: $68,335 — #83 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Wisconsin: $64,168 — #21 out of 50
> MSA population: 237,974
[in-text-ad-2]
Wyoming: Casper
> Adults who drink excessively: 20.7% — #118 out of 382 US metro areas
> Adults who drink excessively in Wyoming: 20.1% — #19 out of 50
> Driving deaths involving alcohol: 37.5% — #31 out of 382 US metro areas
> Driving deaths involving alcohol in Wyoming: 32.8% — #10 out of 50
> Median household income: $65,034 — #110 out of 382 US metro areas
> Median household income in Wyoming: $65,003 — #19 out of 50
> MSA population: 79,858
Methodology
To identify the drunkest city in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the percentage of adults in each of the country’s 382 metropolitan statistical areas who reported drinking excessively in the past 30 days. Metro level data was aggregated from county level data assembled in 2021 by County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program.
Excessive drinking includes both binge and heavy drinking. CHR’s excessive drinking estimates are derived from 2018 survey data.
Health outcomes, including the number of alcohol-related driving deaths, also came from county-level data obtained from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Driving fatalities involving alcohol are for the years 2015-2019.
Social and economic factors such as median household income came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 1-year American Community Survey.
Get Ready To Retire (Sponsored)
Start by taking a quick retirement quiz from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes, or less.
Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.
Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future
Get started right here.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
