Average IQ by state research summary. Using a paper from the Department of Management at Cleveland State University, we identified the states with the highest IQ. IQ is standardized to standard distribution, with an average IQ being 100 with a standard deviation of 15. That means that 95% of the population will have an IQ between 70 and 130. Here are the results for the average IQ by state in the United States:
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The state with the highest IQ is New Hampshire, with an average IQ of 103.2.
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The state with the lowest IQ is New Mexico, with an average IQ of 95.0.
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The average IQ in the United States is 100, with 95% of people falling between 70 and 130.
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The difference between the state with the highest IQ and the state with the lowest IQ is 8.2.
IQ By State Map Rank
The concept of Intelligence Quotient, or IQ, has long played a significant role in understanding cognitive abilities and potential. This numerical measurement has historically been utilized in the United States to gauge intellectual aptitude, assess educational outcomes, and inform policy decisions. Through a straightforward analysis of IQ scores across different states, this article delves into the historical utilization of IQ in America, shedding light on its implications and trends.
In this case, we ranked the states from highest to lowest in IQ.
What Is IQ?
IQ, or Intelligence Quotient, is a standardized numerical measure to assess a person’s cognitive abilities and intellectual potential. It is typically derived from a series of standardized tests designed to evaluate various aspects of intelligence, including logical reasoning, problem-solving skills, memory, and linguistic aptitude.
10 States With The Highest IQ
The further north you go in the country, the higher your IQ. The highest IQs can be found in the Northeast, in places like Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. IQs also seem above average in the Midwest, North Dakota, and Minnesota.
- New Hampshire – 103.2 IQ
- Massachusetts – 103.1 IQ
- Minnesota – 102.9 IQ
- Vermont – 102.2 IQ
- North Dakota – 101.7 IQ
- Wyoming – 101.7 IQ
- Washington – 101.5 IQ
- Utah – 101.5 IQ
- Virginia – 101.2 IQ
- Nebraska – 101.2 IQ
10 States With The Lowest IQ
There’s almost an invisible dividing line in the U.S. between the North and the South, with Southern states having lower IQs. States like Louisiana and Mississippi have among the lowest IQs in the country. Surprisingly, states like California and Hawaii, traditionally very educated, also have low IQs relative to the rest of the country.
- New Mexico – 95.0 IQ
- Louisiana – 95.2 IQ
- Mississippi – 95.8 IQ
- Alabama – 96.4 IQ
- Nevada – 96.6 IQ
- California – 97.1 IQ
- Arkansas – 97.1 IQ
- West Virginia – 97.2 IQ
- Texas – 97.4 IQ
- South Carolina – 97.8 IQ
IQ Rank By US State
| Rank | State | IQ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | 103.2 |
| 2 | Massachusetts | 103.1 |
| 3 | Minnesota | 102.9 |
| 4 | Vermont | 102.2 |
| 5 | North Dakota | 101.7 |
| 6 | Wyoming | 101.7 |
| 7 | Washington | 101.5 |
| 8 | Utah | 101.5 |
| 9 | Virginia | 101.2 |
| 10 | Nebraska | 101.2 |
| 11 | Connecticut | 101.2 |
| 12 | Wisconsin | 101.2 |
| 13 | Colorado | 101.1 |
| 14 | Iowa | 101.1 |
| 15 | Montana | 101.1 |
| 16 | New Jersey | 101.0 |
| 17 | Maine | 100.9 |
| 18 | South Dakota | 100.7 |
| 19 | Indiana | 100.6 |
| 20 | Idaho | 100.5 |
| 21 | Kansas | 100.5 |
| 22 | Oregon | 100.3 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 100.2 |
| 24 | Ohio | 100.0 |
| 25 | Maryland | 100.0 |
| 26 | Michigan | 99.6 |
| 27 | Missouri | 99.5 |
| 28 | North Carolina | 99.5 |
| 29 | Alaska | 99.4 |
| 30 | Rhode Island | 99.4 |
| 31 | Illinois | 99.4 |
| 32 | Hawaii | 99.2 |
| 33 | Kentucky | 98.8 |
| 34 | Florida | 98.8 |
| 35 | Delaware | 98.7 |
| 36 | New York | 98.4 |
| 37 | Arizona | 98.3 |
| 38 | Tennessee | 98.3 |
| 39 | Oklahoma | 98.2 |
| 40 | Georgia | 98.1 |
| 41 | South Carolina | 97.8 |
| 42 | Texas | 97.4 |
| 43 | West Virginia | 97.2 |
| 44 | Arkansas | 97.1 |
| 45 | California | 97.1 |
| 46 | Nevada | 96.6 |
| 47 | Alabama | 96.4 |
| 48 | Mississippi | 95.8 |
| 49 | Louisiana | 95.2 |
| 50 | New Mexico | 95.0 |
Methodology: How We Determined The IQ Of Each State
To find the states with the highest IQ, we consulted with a paper from the Journal Of Intelligence – Updated IQ and Well-Being Scores for the 50 U.S. States by Bryan J. Pesta from the Department of Management at Cleveland State University. He derived the IQ for each state from two tests – one for adults and one for children:
- Adults: Program for the International Assessment of Adult Competency
- Children: The National Assessment of Educational Progress
We then took the IQ derived by state and ordered them from highest to lowest to determine the states in the United States with the highest IQ.
Conclusion: States With The Highest And Lowest IQs
The IQ distribution across states reveals distinct variations in cognitive abilities. The highest IQ state, New Hampshire, boasts an average IQ of 103.2, reflecting a population that excels in cognitive performance. Conversely, the lowest IQ state, New Mexico, reports an average IQ of 95.0, indicating a comparatively lower mental aptitude.
The gap between the state with the highest and lowest IQ, quantified at 8.2, underscores the magnitude of cognitive disparities within the nation. While indicating varied factors contributing to intelligence, this disparity highlights the importance of equitable access to education, resources, and support across all states.
Understanding the nuances of state-based IQ variations shows that intelligence is not uniformly distributed. Instead, it reflects a complex interplay of factors that deserve further exploration and attention.
