What is the most empty state in the US?

What state is 80% owned by the government?

The state where the government owns around 80% of the land is Nevada, with about 80.1% of its area managed by the U.S. federal government, making it the highest percentage of any state. This land is primarily managed by agencies like the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for purposes including recreation, conservation, and grazing.
 

What is the unhappiest state in the US?

While rankings vary slightly by study, West Virginia and Louisiana consistently appear as the unhappiest states in recent U.S. happiness reports, with studies from WalletHub often placing West Virginia at the bottom due to factors like high adult depression rates, low sleep rates, and poor work environments, and Louisiana ranking similarly low in well-being, work, and safety metrics. Other states frequently cited among the least happy include Tennessee, Arkansas, and Kentucky.
 

What is the #1 state people are leaving?

While rankings vary slightly by source and year, New York and California consistently top the list of states people are leaving, often followed by Illinois, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, primarily due to high housing costs, taxes, and the pursuit of affordability and a better quality of life, often moving to warmer, less expensive states like Florida and Texas.
 

What is the most forgotten city in the US?

There isn't one single "most forgotten city," but Cahokia (near modern Collinsville, IL) is often called "America's Forgotten City" for its massive, advanced Native American metropolis that predates Columbus, while San Jose, CA, is cited as a forgotten major city due to its low national recognition despite its size, and cities like Youngstown, OH, are forgotten in the context of industrial decline, notes this Forbes article and this YouTube video. Other contenders include small, isolated towns like Huslia, AK, or places experiencing significant population loss, such as Youngstown, OH, or Highland Park, MI.
 

What is the least popular state?

The least popular U.S. state, based on population, is Wyoming, consistently ranking as the smallest by total residents and population density, followed by Vermont, Alaska, and North Dakota, while in terms of general perception or "fun," Mississippi, West Virginia, and Rhode Island often appear at the bottom of surveys.
 

What is the best state to live in?

• Utah. #1 in Best States Overall. ...
• New Hampshire. #2 in Best States Overall. ...
• Idaho. #3 in Best States Overall. ...
• Minnesota. #4 in Best States Overall. ...
• Nebraska. #5 in Best States Overall. ...
• Florida. #6 in Best States Overall. ...
• Vermont. #7 in Best States Overall. ...
• South Dakota. #8 in Best States Overall.

What U.S. city has a population of 1?

The US town with a population of one is Monowi, Nebraska, an incorporated village known for its sole resident, Elsie Eiler, who serves as its mayor, librarian, clerk, and bartender, running the town's tavern and maintaining its official status after her husband's passing.
 

What is the hardest U.S. state to live in?

There's no single "hardest" state, but studies frequently rank New Mexico, Louisiana, and Arkansas as the toughest due to high poverty, poor education, and crime rates, while Tennessee and Alabama are flagged for quality-of-life issues like crime or lack of inclusivity, and Alaska presents extreme costs and remoteness, making the "hardest" state subjective and dependent on what challenges one finds most difficult. 

What is the easiest state to live off grid?

States That Are the Most Friendly for Off Grid Living

1. Utah. Utah is considered one of the strongest off grid states because of its combination of flexible zoning, large amounts of rural land, and a long standing culture of self reliant living. ...
2. Arizona. ...
3. New Mexico. ...
4. Idaho. ...
5. Montana. ...
6. Wyoming. ...
7. Tennessee. ...
8. Missouri.

Which state has a very low population?

Wyoming is the least populated state in the United States, with under 600,000 residents according to the 2020 Census, making it the state with the smallest population and lowest population density, noted for its vast open spaces, ranching, and national parks like Yellowstone. Vermont and Alaska typically rank as the second and third least populated, respectively, though their populations are significantly higher than Wyoming's. 

What is the #1 happiest state in the US?

Hawaii is consistently ranked as the number one happiest state in the U.S. in recent studies, including WalletHub's 2025 report. Residents report high life satisfaction, good physical and mental health, low depression rates, strong economic security (despite cost of living), and a positive work-life balance, though rankings can vary slightly by study.
 

What state is offering $10,000 to move there?

Yes, several places in the U.S. offer $10,000 or more to entice new residents, primarily targeting remote workers or those with specific skills, with popular programs including Tulsa, Oklahoma (Tulsa Remote), The Shoals, Alabama (Remote Shoals), and Topeka, Kansas (Choose Topeka), which often provide funds for housing or relocation costs if you're employed full-time and move from out of state, though eligibility requires meeting specific income, residency, and application criteria. 

What US states are in decline?

Illinois had the largest decline with 169,076 fewer people. Among counties, Maricopa County, Arizona had the largest growth with 671,405 more people. Baltimore city, Maryland had the largest decline with 44,444 fewer residents.

What state is #1 in quality of life?

There isn't one single answer, as different studies rank states differently, but Vermont, Massachusetts, and Utah frequently appear at the top for quality of life, with Vermont often cited for its environment and health, Massachusetts for healthcare and education, and Utah for overall performance, though rankings shift based on criteria like economy, health, education, and safety.
 

What is the least fun state in the US?

The 10 Least Fun States

• West Virginia.
• Mississippi.
• Rhode Island.
• Delaware.
• Arkansas.
• Vermont.
• Alabama.
• Connecticut.

What is the most depressed state in the USA?

The saddest states in the U.S., often indicated by high rates of depression, poor well-being, and economic struggles, consistently include West Virginia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Alabama, with other states like Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Oregon also appearing in top rankings. These states often face challenges such as poverty, limited access to mental healthcare, unemployment, and high rates of chronic diseases, contributing to lower overall happiness and higher reported depression levels.
 

Who is the biggest landowner in the US?

As of early 2026, Stan Kroenke is the largest private landowner in the U.S., with over 2.7 million acres, primarily ranchland in the West, following a major purchase in New Mexico; he surpassed the Emmerson family, who own vast timberlands, and media mogul John Malone, notes The Land Report.
 

Which states get more than they pay?

Which states receive more from the federal government than they send? The other 31 states and Washington, DC, received more than they sent, with the largest gaps in Virginia ($89.0 billion), Alabama ($44.7 billion), and South Carolina ($38.9 billion).

Is there any land in the US that is not owned?

Public land is undeveloped land with no improvements, usually part of the original Public Domain established during the western expansion of the United States. Most of this land is in the 11 western states and Alaska, although some scattered parcels are in the East.