13 US States With The Lowest IQs
I.Q. tests are the go-to for people who want to know just how smart they are. They are popular in the U.S. for psychological tests, job, and school enrollment. When researchers ethically get access to this data, they can estimate each state’s I.Q.
The states with the lowest I.Q.s don’t mean the residents are unintelligent. Many factors may contribute to low I.Q. scores, such as limited access to education. Sometimes, customs and historical influences may also affect I.Q.
Here are the 13 states with the lowest I.Q.s, as reported in a journal published by the National Library of Medicine. The researcher considered SAT and ACT results and the number of college graduates per state. Not everyone has taken an I.Q. test, and some data may be missing in the analysis.
New Mexico – 95
New Mexico is one of the Mountain States in the Southwest U.S. Like Hawaii, it attracts millions of tourists annually. The state is known for its clean air, which is vital for developing brains. But it still performs poorly in the I.Q. test. Possibly, folks there concentrate more on their vast wine industry than on formal education.
According to World Population Review, New Mexico is among the states with the lowest population density. Despite being the fifth-largest state in the U.S., it has an I.Q. score of 95, which is relatively low nationally.
Louisiana – 95.2
The southeastern state is known for its rich and diverse culture. It links Native American, Spanish, French, and African cultures. It ranks as the second lowest state in I.Q. tests, scoring 95.2 out of 50 states.
Louisiana’s immediate neighbors, Mississippi and Arkansas, are also on this list. According to the state website, it is a significant oil and natural gas producer and a center of petroleum refining and petrochemicals manufacturing in America.
California – 95.5
California, or ‘The Golden State,’ is the third most extensive state in the U.S. Its major industries are agriculture, mining, oil, movie-making, and tourism. The state is home to Death Valley, the lowest point in the Western Hemisphere.
California is the most populous state in America, with an eighth of the U.S. population. Its 40 million residents have an average I.Q. score of 95.5. Hollywood in Los Angeles is a dream for many actors, and some even consider acting there the epitome of their careers.
Mississippi – 95.8
Mississippi has a low I.Q. with an average score of 95.8. Contributing factors may be the state’s socioeconomic and limited education. According to Fact Monster, Mississippians are the most religious people in the United States.
On the educational front, the state has the lowest number of college and high school diplomas compared to the national average. But there is more. Mississippi’s poverty and unemployment rates are high — a challenge many face when seeking education achievement.
Alabama – 96.4
While we are still on the southside, Alabama has a low I.Q. average of 96.4, below the national average. It has a vast agriculture industry and is an excellent destination for southern warmth. Alabama is among the states with the highest percentage of timberland cover. The Nature Conservancy says hundreds of species are only found in the state.
Possible reasons include underfunded public schools, high poverty, and low median household income. However, the state is famous for its role in the American Civil Rights Movement and protests headquarters in the 1960s.
Nevada – 96.6
Nevada is one of the driest states and the seventh largest by area in the U.S. It joined the union on October 31, 1864, as the 36th state. Las Vegas in Nevada is known for its vibrant nightlife, large casinos, and gambling.
The state has an average I.Q. test score of 96.6. Despite Nevada’s harsh climate, it gets a high number of visitors. But we bet there are people in the state who are clever at placing odds.
Arkansas – 97.1
Arkansas has an average I.Q. of 97.1, the lowest on the national list. This state has had issues with systemic poverty, which led to parents not affording school.
Besides that, the state’s crime rate is among the worst in the U.S. Their median household income and healthcare aren’t the best. The locals live next to some of the most extensive parks and wildness. If you love the wild, make sure Arkansas is on your list.
Georgia- 98.1
Georgia has a 98.1 IQ score. Luckily, people from Georgia never let this put them down. Their film industry market is booming. The sports scene is also better with several significant sports teams calling Georgia home.
Atlanta, the Capital city, is home to the National Historic Site dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr. With increasing funding for the 21st century, Georgians hope to perform better. The state also provides its teachers with tools and resources to advance student achievement.
Arizona – 98.3
Arizona, the U.S.’s sixth-largest state by size, is a dream destination for its Grand Canyon. The 48th state is 112 years old in the union. It has over 3,928 mountain peaks and a population. The Arizona Governor’s Office reports a population of 6.627 million.
The state has an accumulative I.Q. score of 98.3. Similar to Arizona, this state also faces issues with underfunded educational institutions. It also ranks near the bottom in terms of per-pupil spending. That may explain the low I.Q.!
Tennessee – 98.3
Located in the Southeastern region of the U.S., Tennessee has a 98.3 IQ score. Nashville is its capital and the heart of country music. Despite being among the first 20 states to form the U.S., Tennessee still lags in education matters.
But rural areas sing a different song: underfunded schools. The residents here are also among the lowest in academic attainment. Most lack even the basic high school diplomas, let alone college degrees.
South Carolina – 98.7
South Carolina’s collective I.Q. score is 98.7. This result might be because of limited healthcare access, education opportunities, and socioeconomic status. The state’s pollution, primarily through lead exposure, can also contribute.
Lead is a neurotoxic metal that affects brain development in young minds. Learning becomes more challenging because the brain does not develop properly. Historically, South Carolinians are known for their role in the antebellum regional and U.S. politics.
Florida – 98.8
According to U.S. News, Florida’s education system is the best in the nation. However, their performance on the I.Q. test is worrying. Their average score is 98.8.
The first reason is funding disparities, especially in the educational sector. This ripples into a state where schools have fewer resources to offer the best education. Another possible reason is economic differences with other states. The economy isn’t quite the best in rural areas, with lower employment rates. This results in parents being unable to take their kids to the best schools and universities.
Hawaii – 99.2
Hawaii’s islands offer immense natural beauty and endless opportunities for beach activities. And this is all thanks to the region’s tropical climate. However, the state’s IQ score 99.2 doesn’t do it well.
The state’s climate and geography allow unique flora and fauna species to thrive in the region. Sugarcane, banana, pineapple, coffee, sandalwood, and macadamia plantations are plentiful. So, in as much as it’s a low-IQ state, the people here are farming and tourist-rich.
