This Is the Dumbest State in the U.S.
Compared to the average IQ score, this place could use some extra brain exercises.
![Jackson is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Mississippi.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/jackson-mississippi.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
Everyone would like to think they're smart, but intelligence is a spectrum. And, well, some of us just aren't the sharpest tools in the shed. One of the easiest ways to gauge your own cognitive skills is to take an IQ test, which scores your mental capacity based on a set of standardized questions. The average score of an IQ test is 100, and many psychologists use that value as a baseline to compare places and people. For instance, the United States has a national IQ of 98, however, each state varies on the scale—and quite a few fall under the 100 benchmark. To see how your state stacks up, here are the states with residents whose IQs are below average, according to the most recent data collected by The Washington Post and Inc. And if you're wondering how unsafe your area is, This Is the Most Dangerous State in the U.S.
20
Illinois
![chicago illinois](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/illinois.jpg)
Average IQ: 99.9
19
Maryland
![baltimore skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/maryland-state.jpg)
Average IQ: 99.7
And if you want to have a long and happy life, Here's How Long You're Likely to Live in Every State.
18
Rhode Island
![providence skyline rhode island](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/02/providence-rhode-island.jpg)
Average IQ: 99.5
17
Kentucky
![skyline of louisville kentucky](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1108684724.jpg)
Average IQ: 99.4
And to see where your dollar doesn't go far, This Is the State Where Your Money Is Worth the Least.
16
Oklahoma
![oklahoma city oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1489415261.jpg)
Average IQ: 99.3
15
Alaska
![An aerial view of Juneau and the Gastineau Channel from Mount Roberts.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/alaska-wildfires.jpg)
Average IQ: 99
14
West Virginia
![Panorama of WVU Coliseum Arena and campus of West Virginia University with river Monongahela in Morgantown, West Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/03/morgan-town-west-virginia.jpg)
Average IQ: 98.7
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13
Florida
![seaside miami florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1246908805.jpg)
Average IQ: 98.4
12
South Carolina
![Scenic View of the St. Michaels Church from Broad St. in Charleston, SC](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/south-carolina-street.jpg)
Average IQ: 98.4
11
Georgia
![atlanta georgia skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1039281055.jpg)
Average IQ: 98
10
Tennessee
![Tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/tn-1.jpg)
Average IQ: 97.7
9
Arkansas
![Little Rock is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Arkansas.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/08/little-rock-arkansas.jpg)
Average IQ: 97.5
8
Arizona
![phoenix arizona skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1681427986.jpg)
Average IQ: 97.4
7
Nevada
![las vegas skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1537714517.jpg)
Average IQ: 96.5
6
Alabama
![huntsville alabama skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_1072528004.jpg)
Average IQ: 95.7
5
New Mexico
![santa fe new mexico skyline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/shutterstock_1462333493.jpg)
Average IQ: 95.7
4
Hawaii
![hawaii coastline](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/Hawaii-Coastline.jpg)
Average IQ: 95.6
3
California
![Drone shot of a woman walking down a street toward Downtown Los Angeles.](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/06/california-state-.jpg)
Average IQ: 95.5
2
Louisiana
![new orleans louisiana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/07/shutterstock_313883471.jpg)
Average IQ: 95.3
1
Mississippi
![jackson mississippi, capital, most common street names](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2019/04/jackson-mississippi.jpg)
Average IQ: 94.2
And if you'd like to show off your knowledge, check out these 40 Random Obscure Facts That Will Make Everyone Think You're a Genius.