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Mapped: The States Carrying the Most Debt Per Resident
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Key Takeaways
- Connecticut carries America’s highest state debt burden at nearly $26,200 per resident, more than 13 times Tennessee’s level.
- California carries almost $500 billion in state debt, the largest total in the nation, but ranks only 10th on a per-resident basis.
- Illinois, New Jersey, Hawaii, and Massachusetts also rank among the states with the heaviest debt burdens per resident.
When Americans think about government debt, they usually focus on Washington. But states have accumulated billions in obligations of their own.
This map shows state government debt per resident across all 50 states using data from the Reason Foundation. While states such as California and New York carry some of the largest debt loads in total dollars, adjusting for population reveals where government obligations are most concentrated.
The rankings reflect a mix of borrowing decisions, pension liabilities, and long-term fiscal policies that have accumulated over decades.
Where Debt Burdens Are Highest
With nearly $100 billion in debt and a population of just 3.7 million, Connecticut has the highest state debt burden in the country.
For perspective, it carries more debt than Florida, a state home to 23 million people. This works out to nearly $26,200 in debt per resident, reflecting decades of borrowing and underfunding as tax revenues have failed to keep pace with state spending.
The contrast highlights why debt per resident can tell a very different story than total debt alone.
| Rank | State | Government State Debt per Capita 2023 | Total Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connecticut | $26,187 | $94.4B |
| 2 | New Jersey | $22,968 | $213.4B |
| 3 | Hawaii | $18,909 | $27.5B |
| 4 | Delaware | $17,535 | $17.4B |
| 5 | Illinois | $17,391 | $222.8B |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $17,082 | $120.1B |
| 7 | Wyoming | $15,433 | $8.9B |
| 8 | Alaska | $14,861 | $10.9B |
| 9 | North Dakota | $13,357 | $10.4B |
| 10 | California | $12,565 | $496.8B |
| 11 | Washington | $12,118 | $93.4B |
| 12 | New York | $11,547 | $233.3B |
| 13 | Vermont | $10,930 | $7.0B |
| 14 | Maryland | $9,816 | $60.6B |
| 15 | Kentucky | $9,376 | $42.3B |
| 16 | New Mexico | $8,637 | $18.3B |
| 17 | Louisiana | $8,283 | $38.6B |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $8,093 | $8.9B |
| 19 | Colorado | $7,469 | $43.1B |
| 20 | Texas | $7,443 | $216.9B |
| 21 | Maine | $6,576 | $8.9B |
| 22 | Oregon | $6,169 | $26.1B |
| 23 | West Virginia | $5,897 | $10.6B |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $5,872 | $76.4B |
| 25 | Montana | $5,394 | $5.8B |
| 26 | Wisconsin | $4,943 | $29.1B |
| 27 | Mississippi | $4,784 | $14.2B |
| 28 | Ohio | $4,726 | $55.8B |
| 29 | Georgia | $4,503 | $48.2B |
| 30 | New Hampshire | $4,374 | $6.0B |
| 31 | Minnesota | $4,094 | $23.4B |
| 32 | Virginia | $4,037 | $34.9B |
| 33 | Arkansas | $3,985 | $12.0B |
| 34 | Michigan | $3,891 | $39.2B |
| 35 | Nevada | $3,850 | $12.0B |
| 36 | South Carolina | $3,578 | $18.3B |
| 37 | Arizona | $3,443 | $24.6B |
| 38 | Missouri | $3,438 | $21.2B |
| 39 | Kansas | $3,427 | $10.1B |
| 40 | Alabama | $3,350 | $16.8B |
| 41 | Florida | $3,334 | $71.8B |
| 42 | Iowa | $3,180 | $10.2B |
| 43 | North Carolina | $3,086 | $32.2B |
| 44 | Indiana | $2,975 | $20.2B |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $2,871 | $11.4B |
| 46 | South Dakota | $2,776 | $2.5B |
| 47 | Idaho | $2,625 | $4.8B |
| 48 | Nebraska | $2,503 | $4.9B |
| 49 | Utah | $2,006 | $6.6B |
| 50 | Tennessee | $1,952 | $13.5B |
Overall, the highest debt burdens are concentrated in the West and Northeast, including New Jersey, Hawaii, and Massachusetts. Notably, their debt burdens are roughly 10 times higher than those of states such as Utah and Tennessee on a per-resident basis.
Why Debt Piles Are So High
For decades, states have failed to put aside enough assets to pay for their pension systems. When these obligations compound over time, they can become some of the largest liabilities on state balance sheets, particularly as the population ages.
Illinois, for instance, had $145 billion in pension debt at the end of 2023, the nation’s highest tab. California followed behind with $90 billion in pension debt, reflecting a large gap between promised retirement benefits and the assets available to fund them.
Tennessee’s Fiscal Discipline
Despite having no income tax, Tennessee has the lowest debt per resident in the country and one of the lowest pension burdens overall.
Historically, the state has taken a conservative approach to debt issuance, maintained strong reserves, and earned one of the highest credit ratings in the country. As a result, long-term obligations have not accumulated to the same extent as in other states.
Tennessee has long been known for its strict approach to public finances, resulting in a per-resident debt burden that is more than 13 times lower than top-ranking Connecticut.
The Long Shadow of State Debt
State debt varies widely across America, reflecting decades of different borrowing decisions, pension obligations, and fiscal policies. The largest burdens were not created overnight, and in many cases they cannot be solved quickly, leaving states to manage the consequences for years to come.
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To learn more about this topic, check out this graphic showing where Americans pay the most taxes by state.
