We analyzed sleep data to identify America’s most sleep-deprived states. By examining 96 sleep-related search terms, we determined the average monthly search volume per 100,000 residents in each state. This sheds light on sleep patterns and the problem of sleep deprivation across the United States.
Most Sleep-Deprived States in the U.S.
California
Is The Most Sleep-Deprived State in America
California residents searched for terms such as ‘sleep apnea treatment’ with 4,556 searches per month on average, and ‘insomnia treatment’ with an average of 1,961 monthly searches.
Top 3Most Sleep Deprived States
1
California
Californians showed the greatest concern and curiosity for their sleep troubles, with an average monthly search volume of 805 per 100,000 residents.
2
Maryland
Maryland is next on the list of sleep-concerned citizens, with an average of 770 searches per 100,000 residents monthly.
3
New York
New York, known as a city that never sleeps, is third on our list, with an average monthly search volume of 765 per 100,000 residents.
Top 3Least Sleep Deprived States
1
Montana
With only an average monthly volume of 480 sleep-related searches per 100,000 citizens, Montana residents seem to have relatively few sleep problems.
2
South Dakota
Slightly higher than the lowest on our list, South Dakota are still relatively untroubled with an average monthly search volume of 487 per 100,00 residents.
3
Idaho
In third place for relatively untroubled sleep, Idaho is doing well with only 515 averaged searches per month for 100,000 citizens.
Most Sleep Deprived State Rankings
Discover where each state ranked for sleep-related searches.
| Overall Ranking | State | Average Monthly Search Volume Per 100k |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 805 |
| 2 | Maryland | 770 |
| 3 | New York | 765 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 754 |
| 5 | Nevada | 753 |
| 6 | Georgia | 743 |
| 7 | Connecticut | 739 |
| 8 | Virginia | 737 |
| 9 | Texas | 725 |
| 10 | New Jersey | 724 |
| 11 | Hawaii | 724 |
| 12 | Illinois | 721 |
| 13 | Rhode Island | 714 |
| 14 | North Carolina | 704 |
| 15 | Florida | 696 |
| 16 | Colorado | 694 |
| 17 | Washington | 692 |
| 18 | Arizona | 690 |
| 19 | Delaware | 686 |
| 20 | Oregon | 660 |
| 21 | Utah | 653 |
| 22 | Pennsylvania | 652 |
| 23 | Michigan | 629 |
| 24 | New Mexico | 626 |
| 25 | Ohio | 624 |
| 26 | New Hampshire | 621 |
| 27 | Minnesota | |
| 28 | Tennessee | |
| 29 | South Carolina | 610 |
| 30 | Alabama | 606 |
| 31 | Louisana | 601 |
| 32 | Indiana | 587 |
| 33 | Missouri | 579 |
| 34 | Mississippi | 576 |
| 35 | Kentucky | 570 |
| 36 | Nebraska | 570 |
| 37 | Wisconsin | 568 |
| 38 | Oklahoma | 565 |
| 39 | Alaska | 564 |
| 40 | Vermont | 561 |
| 41 | Kansas | 558 |
| 42 | Maine | 556 |
| 43 | Arkansas | 541 |
| 44 | North Dakota | 541 |
| 45 | West Virginia | 530 |
| 46 | Iowa | 518 |
| 47 | Wyoming | 516 |
| 48 | Idaho | 515 |
| 49 | South Dakota | 487 |
| 50 | Montana | 480 |
America's Sleep Concerns
What are U.S. citizens searching for online?
We found that the entire United States had an average monthly search volume of 699 per 100,000 residents. The majority of states had an average monthly search volume that falls below this final number. As for individual search terms, here are some of the popular ones:
“Insomnia” had an average monthly search volume of 6240 per 100,000 residents.
Searches of “sleep apnea” had an average monthly volume of 5152 per 100,000 American citizens.
Next, “sleep paralysis” had an average monthly search volume of 3768 per 100,000 U.S. residents.
Then, “sleep apnea symptoms” had an average monthly search volume of 1181 per 100,000 citizens.
“Sleep disorder” had an average monthly search volume of 1025 per 100,000 citizens.
“Sleep deprivation” had an average monthly search volume of 983 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“Sleep walking” had an average monthly search volume of 737 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“Sleep aids” had an average monthly search volume of 693 per 100,000 citizens.
“Sleep medicine” had an average monthly search volume of 636 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“Can’t sleep” had an average monthly search volume of 532 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“Sleep apnea treatment” had an average monthly volume of 529 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“What is sleep apnea” had an average monthly volume of 463 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“What is insomnia” had an average monthly volume of 444 per 100,000 citizens in the U.S.
“What is sleep paralysis” had an average monthly volume of 370 per 100,000 U.S. citizens.
“Sleep deprivation symptoms” had an average monthly volume of 318 per 100,000 citizens in the U.S.
“Sleep training” had an average monthly volume of 310 per 100,000 citizens in the U.S.
“How to sleep” had an average monthly volume of 289 per 100,000 citizens in the U.S.
Ask The Experts
Dr. Jennifer Miller, PT, DPT
Expert Physical Therapist and Pelvic Health Specialist
Dr. Jennifer Miller is a compassionate and skilled outpatient physical therapist with nine years of experience in the field. She earned her Doctor of Physical Therapy from Elon University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Minnesota State University-Mankato. Dr. Miller specializes in Neurological, Geriatric, and Vestibular Physical Therapy and serves as a primary care provider for patients with neurological conditions.
Can you think of any factors that might influence which states have more sleep-related searches, such as environment and climate?
We typically sleep better in a cooler environment. Therefore, I would assume places with a more hot and humid climate would have more sleep-related searches. Places that remain light during the summer months, such as Alaska, could also disrupt the circadian rhythm and lead to more sleep-related searches.
How accurately do you think these findings reflect the state of sleep in each U.S. state?
I personally think there is a lot of general information out there and not very state or climate specific. This could make it difficult to sift through in order to find the best answers. Therefore, I think it’s always important to make sure the information people find comes from a reputable source and sleep expert.
Do you think these people are likely to find the answers they seek with a Google Search? If not, where should they turn to?
Speaking with their primary care provider or a sleep expert is a great way to supplement information people find online.
What is the simplest thing most people can do to fall asleep better?
Exercising during the day can assist in better sleep. Avoid eating a large meal prior to bed. It can also be helpful to take a warm shower prior to bed, as our body temperature will naturally decrease afterwards which makes it easier to fall asleep. Having a cooling mattress can also aid sleep.
Dr. Nilong Vyas, MD, MPH
Expert Pediatrician and Sleep Consultant
Dr. Nilong Vyas is a board-certified pediatrician with over eight years of experience in her field. She has dedicated her career to helping children and their parents achieve healthier sleep habits, a belief that serves as the foundation of her practice. Her mantra, "from good sleep comes good eaters, readers, and behaviors," encapsulates her holistic approach to child well-being.
Do you think these people are likely to find the answers they seek with a Google Search? If not, where should they turn to?
Google is a good place to get a general idea of what is going on with sleep-related issues, but ultimately ending with your primary care physician is ideal. Once medical sleep conditions are excluded, a sleep coach can be useful.
Can you think of any factors that might influence which states have more sleep-related searches, such as environment and climate?
Certainly, states that experience long winters may have many searches that attribute to sleep-wake shifts, especially as it gets harder to wake up when it’s still dark outside. It may be possible that in states with more daylight, people find it difficult to turn in for the night.
What is the simplest thing most people can do to fall asleep better?
The best solution for a good night’s sleep is a regular bedtime routine which helps establish the sleep-wake cycle. The bedtime routine includes turning off electronic devices, sleeping on cooling bedding, and doing the same thing every night to signal to the body that it is time for sleep.