This Is the Loneliest State in America
The residents of this state are more prone to solitude than to being social.
![Lonely woman with hands on her face](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/lonely_woman_shutterstock_1475659757.jpg?quality=82&strip=1&resize=640%2C360)
Whether it's missing family and friends you don't get to see too often or longing for someone to cuddle with in the cold winter months, there are plenty of reasons why people experience feelings of loneliness this time of year—and that's when things are "normal." With COVID-19 restrictions still in place, those feelings are likely to be amplified more than ever. That's why we at Best Life set out to find the loneliest state in America.
To get to the bottom of loneliness at the state level, we looked at three metrics: romantic loneliness, social relationships, and personality type. For the first number, we used a Move.org report measuring the number of single residents in each state, as well as and their most popular Google searches on Valentine's Day. Based on these two factors, each state was given a score on a scale of one (least lonely) to 10 (most lonely).
Secondly, we used data from the Gallup-Sharecare Well-Being Index to see what percentage of residents in each state reported having at least one close social relationship. Finally, we looked at a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, which examined data from 1.5 million Americans and rated each state on a 100-point scale in five different personality categories, including "extraversion." (This data did not include Alaska or Hawaii, which resulted in their exclusion from our final rankings.)
We then gave all three metrics a weighted value and ran them through our exclusive algorithm to determine how each state scored on our Loneliness Index. And the results included some interesting surprises. Read on to discover the loneliest state in America and find out where your home state falls in the ranks. And for the places in the U.S. where people are most active between the sheets, This Is the Promiscuous State in America.
48
South Dakota
![rocks reflecting a lake at Palisade State Park in Garretson, South Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/garreston-south-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.20
Residents with a strong social relationship: 78 percent
Extraversion score: 58.7
Loneliness Index Score: 0.00
47
North Dakota
![bridge runs over the valley and next to trees in Valley City, North Dakota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/valley-city-north-dakota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.16
Residents with a strong social relationship: 78.1 percent
Extraversion score: 52.4
Loneliness Index Score: 2.69
46
Utah
![orange rocks and mountains in Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah at sunrise](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/bryce-canyon-park-utah.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 1.95
Residents with a strong social relationship: 77 percent
Extraversion score: 55.8
Loneliness Index Score: 6.07
45
Wyoming
![landscape photo of trees, a glacier, and lake in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/grand-teton-national-park-wyoming.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.50
Residents with a strong social relationship: 79.1 percent
Extraversion score: 46
Loneliness Index Score: 6.86
44
Minnesota
![landscape photo of rocks, ocean, and lighthouse in Lake County, Minnesota](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/lake-county-minnesota.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.17
Residents with a strong social relationship: 77 percent
Extraversion score: 52.9
Loneliness Index Score: 12.31
43
Missouri
![green fields by the Missouri River in Glasgow, Missouri](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/glasgow-missouri.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.31
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.9 percent
Extraversion score: 62.9
Loneliness Index Score: 15.36
42
Nebraska
![landscape photo of Halsey, Nebraska at sunrise](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/halsey-nebraska.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.11
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.6 percent
Extraversion score: 60.0
Loneliness Index Score: 16.67
41
Tennessee
![fall trees reflecting on the shoreline of Bay Mountain Lake Park in Kingsport, Tennessee](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/kingsport-tennessee.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.29
Residents with a strong social relationship: 76.8 percent
Extraversion score: 51.3
Loneliness Index Score: 17.33
40
Wisconsin
![landscape photo of Baraboo, Wisconsin](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/baraboo-wisconsin.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.24
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.3 percent
Extraversion score: 69.8
Loneliness Index Score: 21.33
39
Texas
![landscape photo of Garner State Park, Texas](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/garner-stat-park-texas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.28
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.7 percent
Extraversion score: 55.2
Loneliness Index Score: 22.80
And to find out where the biggest drinkers are, This Is the Drunkest State in America.
38
Indiana
![landscape photo of Brown County State Park, Indiana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/brown-county-state-park-indiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.29
Residents with a strong social relationship: 76.2 percent
Extraversion score: 48.9
Loneliness Index Score: 24.14
37
Georgia
![square and pink trees in downtown Macon, Georgia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/macon-georgia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.38
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.8 percent
Extraversion score: 63.2
Loneliness Index Score: 25.19
36
Iowa
![Hogback Cover Bridge and trees in Madison County, Iowa](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/madison-county-iowa.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.04
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.9 percent
Extraversion score: 62.8
Loneliness Index Score: 28.21
35
Florida
![wooden bridge and lake at John S. Taylor Park in Largo, Florida](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/largo-florida.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.82
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.5 percent
Extraversion score: 60.9
Loneliness Index Score: 29.15
And to find out where people have the worst manners, This Is the Rudest State in America.
34
North Carolina
![garden filled with flowers and trees in Raleigh, North Carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/raleigh-north-carolina-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.31
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.2 percent
Extraversion score: 51.0
Loneliness Index Score: 30.81
33
Illinois
![landscape photo of flowers and a field in Naperville, Illinois at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/naperville-illinois.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.27
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.9 percent
Extraversion score: 62.5
Loneliness Index Score: 32.48
32
Pennsylvania
![landscape photo of Forest County, Pennsylvania](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/forest-county-pennsylvania.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.74
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.4 percent
Extraversion score: 54.6
Loneliness Index Score: 33.75
31
Vermont
![road and trees in front of a mountain in Huntington, Vermont at sunrise](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/huntington-vermont.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.25
Residents with a strong social relationship: 79.3 percent
Extraversion score: 26.5
Loneliness Index Score: 34.21
30
Virginia
![landscape photo of Buchanan, Virginia](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/bunchanan-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.26
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.8 percent
Extraversion score: 48.5
Loneliness Index Score: 35.21
29
Alabama
![empt street and store in Union Springs, Alabama](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/union-springs-alabama.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.39
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.8 percent
Extraversion score: 55.5
Loneliness Index Score: 35.74
28
Arizona
![landscape photo of Phoenix, Arizona at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/phoenix-arizona-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.29
Residents with a strong social relationship: 76.7 percent
Extraversion score: 50.6
Loneliness Index Score: 36.21
27
Maine
![lake and autumn trees in Augusta, Maine](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/augusta-maine.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.20
Residents with a strong social relationship: 77.1 percent
Extraversion score: 44.2
Loneliness Index Score: 36.74
26
Kentucky
![landscape photo of Frankfort, Kentucky at sunrise](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/frankfort-kentucky.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.18
Residents with a strong social relationship: 76 percent
Extraversion score: 53.4
Loneliness Index Score: 37.61
25
South Carolina
![landscape photo of a garden in Charleston, South Carolina](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/charleston-south-carolina.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.29
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.5 percent
Extraversion score: 60
Loneliness Index Score: 38.11
24
Kansas
![landscape photo of Little Rock, Arkansas at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/north-little-rock-arkansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.14
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.4 percent
Extraversion score: 45.5
Loneliness Index Score: 38.81
23
Colorado
![reflection of the Rocky Mountains in front of lake in Denver, Colorado](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/denver-colorado-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.62
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.4 percent
Extraversion score: 45.3
Loneliness Index Score: 39.32
22
Idaho
![the Sawtooth Mountain Range and lake in Stanley, Idaho](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/stanleu-idaho.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.44
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.1 percent
Extraversion score: 40.7
Loneliness Index Score: 42.38
21
Arkansas
![landscape photo of Little Rock, Arkansas at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/north-little-rock-arkansas.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.65
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.6 percent
Extraversion score: 49.9
Loneliness Index Score: 42.49
20
New Jersey
![landscape photo of a beach in Ventnor City, New Jersey](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/ventnor-city-new-jersey.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.67
Residents with a strong social relationship: 73.6 percent
Extraversion score: 59.9
Loneliness Index Score: 42.64
19
Connecticut
![Five Mile Point Lighthouse and lake in New Haven, Connecticut](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-haven-connecticut-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.76
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74 percent
Extraversion score: 57.6
Loneliness Index Score: 42.90
18
Montana
![glaciers and a meadow in Glacier National Park, Montana at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/glacier-national-park-montana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.08
Residents with a strong social relationship: 77.2 percent
Extraversion score: 33.1
Loneliness Index Score: 42.94
17
Ohio
![Lake Erie and Ohio's Marblehead Lighthouse in Erie County, Ohio](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/lake-erie-ohio.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.36
Residents with a strong social relationship: 73.1 percent
Extraversion score: 54.6
Loneliness Index Score: 45.62
And for more state and city rankings delivered to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
16
West Virginia
![landscape photo of Harper's Ferry, West Virginia at sunset](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/harpers-ferry-west-virginia.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.31
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.6 percent
Extraversion score: 38.5
Loneliness Index Score: 45.94
15
Michigan
![ocean and rocks in Munising, Michigan at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/munising-michigan.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.24
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.7 percent
Extraversion score: 55.2
Loneliness Index Score: 47.64
14
Massachusetts
![landscape photo of homes and lake in Boston, Massachusetts at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/boston-massachusetts-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.79
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.8 percent
Extraversion score: 44.4
Loneliness Index Score: 47.86
13
California
![rocks and mountains on the Big Sur street in Carmel, California at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/caramel-california.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.77
Residents with a strong social relationship: 73.9 percent
Extraversion score: 51.4
Loneliness Index Score: 48.99
And to find out the most unpopular place in the U.S., This Is the Most Hated State in America.
12
Louisiana
![boat docked in the channel next to tress in New Orleans, Louisiana](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/new-orleans-louisiana.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.56
Residents with a strong social relationship: 73.3 percent
Extraversion score: 52.2
Loneliness Index Score: 49.48
11
Oregon
![glaciers, lake, and tress in Deschutes County, Oregon](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/deschutes-county-oregon.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.30
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.6 percent
Extraversion score: 30.9
Loneliness Index Score: 52.03
10
Nevada
![mountains along Red Rock Canyon National Conservation in Las Vegas, Nevada](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/las-vegas-nevada-2.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.83
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.6 percent
Extraversion score: 30.9
Loneliness Index Score: 53.35
9
New Hampshire
![autumn trees and lake in North Conway, New Hampshire](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/north-conway-new-hampshire.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.11
Residents with a strong social relationship: 75.1 percent
Extraversion score: 40.2
Loneliness Index Score: 54.51
8
New Mexico
![landscape photo of Sandia Mountains, New Mexico](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/sandia-mountains-new-mexico.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.53
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.3 percent
Extraversion score: 32.4
Loneliness Index Score: 57.23
7
Washington
![landscape photo of mountains and flowers at Mt. Rainier in Seattle, Washington](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/seattle-washington-1.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.61
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.6 percent
Extraversion score: 30.6
Loneliness Index Score: 57.70
6
Maryland
![the Great Falls of Potomac in Potomac, Maryland](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/potomac-maryland.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.39
Residents with a strong social relationship: 73.6 percent
Extraversion score: 35.2
Loneliness Index Score: 58.11
5
Oklahoma
![photo of rock formation, the Wedding Party, in the Black Mesa Area, Oklahoma](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/black-mesa-area-oklahoma.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 3.19
Residents with a strong social relationship: 74.8 percent
Extraversion score: 39.7
Loneliness Index Score: 58.74
4
Delaware
![canal next to a dock, restaurant, and roses in the foreground in Lewes, Delaware](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/lewes-delaware.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.38
Residents with a strong social relationship: 72.2 percent
Extraversion score: 47.0
Loneliness Index Score: 59.93
3
Mississippi
![dock and Elvis Presley Lake in Lee County, Mississippi at dusk](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/lee-county-mississippi.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.50
Residents with a strong social relationship: 71.4 percent
Extraversion score: 56.8
Loneliness Index Score: 59.93
2
New York
![field of flowers and tress and a lake in Fort Montgomery, New York](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/fort-montgomery-new-york.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.88
Residents with a strong social relationship: 72.7 percent
Extraversion score: 47.0
Loneliness Index Score: 64.20
1
Rhode Island
![flowers and beach in Newport, Rhode Island](https://bestlifeonline.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2020/11/newport-rhode-island.jpg?quality=82&strip=all)
Romantic loneliness score: 2.82
Residents with a strong social relationship: 68.5 percent
Extraversion score: 43.3
Loneliness Index Score: 100.00
And for the place only a mother could love, This Is the Ugliest State in America.