LEAD

We Compared the Average IQ Scores in All

50 States, and the Results Are Eye-Opening
Yes, the IQ test is controversial, but it's one of the few consistent
metrics we have. Here's how the states compare.

By Bill Murphy Jr. Contributing editor, Inc.com @BillMurphyJr

CREDIT: Getty Images

People are getting dumber, according to science.

There are a lot of theories why IQ tests are falling. Some say it's bad food, poor
schools, or obscene amounts of screen time. Others suggest it's a matter of
people with lower IQs having more kids, who inherit their lower numbers.

You've seen Idiocracy, right?

The thing is, there's a lot of variation among the U.S. states in terms of IQ
averages. So while the nation as a whole averages roughly a 98 IQ, individual
states range as much as six points higher or four points below the national
average.

In another recent article, we compiled and listed the average life expectancy in
each of the 50 states, which proved to be a worthy exercise.

So, here are the estimated average IQ rates for residents of each U.S. state, as
compiled by Michael McDaniel, formerly a professor at Virginia Commonwealth
University, and reported by The Washington Post.

It's worth noting that the IQ test in and of itself is controversial to begin with.
The Post in fact ranked states according to not just IQ test, but also average
SAT and ACT score, along with the overall percentage of college graduates.

But as imperfect as the IQ test is, at least it's a consistent metric. Here are the
results. 

1. Massachusetts    104.3
2. New Hampshire    104.2
3. North Dakota    103.8
4. Vermont    103.8
5. Minnesota    103.7
6. Maine    103.4
7. Montana    103.4
8. Iowa    103.2
9. Connecticut    103.1
10. Wisconsin    102.9
11. Kansas    102.8
12. New Jersey    102.8
13. South Dakota    102.8
14. Wyoming    102.4
15. Nebraska    102.3
16. Virginia    101.9
17. Washington    101.9
18. Ohio    101.8
19. Indiana    101.7
20. Colorado    101.6
21. Pennsylvania    101.5
22. Idaho    101.4
23. Oregon    101.2
24. Utah    101.1
25. Missouri    101
26. New York    100.7
27. Michigan    100.5
28. Delaware    100.4
29. North Carolina    100.2
30. Texas    100
31. Illinois    99.9
32. Maryland    99.7
33. Rhode Island    99.5
34. Kentucky    99.4
35. Oklahoma    99.3
36. Alaska    99
37. West Virginia    98.7
38. Florida    98.4
39. South Carolina    98.4
40. Georgia    98
41. Tennessee    97.7
42. Arkansas    97.5
43. Arizona    97.4
44. Nevada    96.5
45. Alabama    95.7
46. New Mexico    95.7
47. Hawaii    95.6
48. California    95.5
49. Louisiana    95.3
50. Mississippi    94.2

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PUBLISHED ON: JUN 15, 2018

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