The Nerdiest States In America

There’s a lot to consider when choosing which state to live in. Will the locals trade Pokemon cards with you? Will you be mocked for LARPing in the park? Will you meet others who enjoy dressing up like Star Wars characters? For those who harbor interests considered nerdy or geekish, not all states are created equal. Estately crunched the numbers to determine which U.S. states have the most nerds per capita.

To do this, we analyzed Facebook data for every U.S. state and the District of Columbia to determine the percentage of users who listed these 12 criteria as interests:

1. Star Trek:  The Next Generation
2. Cosplay
3. Harry Potter
4. Star Wars
5. Anime Movies
6. Dungeons & Dragons
7. LARPing (Live Action Role-Playing)
8. Doctor Who
9. Fantasy Lit
10. Lord of the Rings
11. Magic:  The Gathering
12. Comic Books

The numbers in the chart below represent a state’s overall rank for per capita interest in each of the 12 subjects. States are ranked from most nerdy to least nerdy.

In looking at the map and chart, a few things stand out…

1. The South is a virtual nerd desert, and a damn hard place to get a game of D&D going.
2. Rural western states are prime habitat for nerds.
3. States with large populations don’t tend to have high percentages of nerds.
4. Rhode Island is an island of nerdom along the coast of the Atlantic.
5. California is the only place in the West where you can go to a Harry Potter movie and not sit behind a grown woman in a wizard hat.
6. Utah is just so unbelievably nerdy it could be a Harry Potter theme park.
7. If you want to get stuffed in a locker bring your Pokemon cards to school in Mississippi, New Jersey, or Washington, DC.

Here are profiles of America’s ten most nerd-filled states

1. UTAH

In Utah, nerdishness is so common it’s practically the norm. Even if you factor in its high percentage of young people, Utah’s enthusiasm for nerdy interests is unparalleled in America. Utah beats out all other states for interest in cosplay, Harry Potter, Star Wars, LARPing, fantasy literature, and Lord of the Rings. Basically, if you like to get into costume to see a sci-fi or fantasy movie then Utah is the state for you.

• Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) was at Salt Lake City Comic Con FanXperience this year. You missed it.
• SLC Nerd is a community festival event celebrating all that is geeky and nerdy in Utah.
• The Nerd Store offers comics, gaming cards, and more.
• Enjoy the annual event Nerdtacular, which is nerdtastic, as well as Fantasy Con, which is fantastic.

2. ALASKA

In Alaska, if you’re standing on a street corner and the person to your left isn’t a Dungeon Master, and the person to your right isn’t, then you must be the Dungeon Master. Perhaps it stems from being trapped indoors all winter, or maybe some wizard cast a spell on the whole state, but Alaska’s citizenry is passionate about fantasy role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons (1st) and Magic: The Gathering (1st). The state ranks no lower than 12th in any of the categories. It’s truly America’s Great Nerdy North.

• Alaska lacks many conventions, but does have Senshi-Con and Pop Con.

3. WYOMING

On cold winter nights, as the wind howls outside, the locals gather together with the cows and coyotes to watch the British sci-fi TV series Doctor Who. When it’s not on, the play fantasy role-playing games (2nd most for D&D and Magic) and lament the day Miss Wyoming left the bookish Jonathan Frink during an episode of The Simpsons.

4. IDAHO

Idaho is home to large numbers of live action role-players and Harry Potter enthusiasts, but it’s also one of the premier states for those into fantasy literature. The state is home to its own chapter of the Tolkien Society, and local universities actually hold classes focusing on fantasy and science fiction.

• The state has added a number of anime conventions and events catering to the state’s nerdier/awesome interests:  Anime Oasis, Tomodachi Fest, and more.

5. COLORADO

Colorado is so consumed with geek interests it’s inevitable quidditch will become an official high school sport, Tauntauns will roam the state’s ski slopes, and Klingon will be a course offered at Colorado Mountain College. Colorado boasts a sizable nerd population with a wide variety of interests, earning high marks in all included categories, as well as being home to numerous geek-friendly conventions.

• Denver Comic Con, The Colorado Springs Comic and Toy Con, Rocky Mountain Comic Con, ROMOCOCO, Rocky Mountain Collector Con…

6. WASHINGTON

Given that Microsoft and numerous other tech companies are headquartered there, it’s no surprise Washington state is a beacon for nerds. In fact, it’s only a matter of time until most Washington companies drop Casual Fridays for Cosplay Fridays. In addition to programming prowess, Washington state residents are passionate about Lord of the Rings—2nd highest in the country.  It’s actually a little surprising there aren’t more local children named Frodo, Legolas, and Gandalf.

• Costumed attendees of Emerald City Comicon take over the city each year.
• PAX:  a Seattle gaming convention with thousands of attendees.
• Go Play NW:  an annual event feature all manner of games
• Sakura-Con:  a northwest anime convention

7. KENTUCKY

Overall, the South is an unfriendly place for nerds. About as close as they can get is Kentucky, which loves comic books (2nd) and Magic: The Gathering (3rd).  The Bluegrass State loathes Lord of the Rings (44th), but compensates for it with its instense love for Star Wars (5th) and Harry Potter (6th). This nerd sanctuary also has some of the most star-studded comic conventions in the country.

• Fandom Fest Louisville will feature much of the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation.
• Also:  Louisville Comic Con, Lexington Comic & Toy Con, and Derby City Comic Con.

8. OREGON

Oregon is a trekkie’s paradise, a Star Trek sanctuary where America’s most passionate fans live long and prosper. The city of Portland enjoyed a five-year run of Trek In The Park, a free public theater performance of classic Star Trek episodes. Oregon has also hosted Star Trek-themed improv shows, various Star Trek conventions, and more. It’s only a matter of time until the tribble is named the Official State Animal of Oregon and Captain Picard is elected Governor.

• Portland is home to Reed College, ranked the 5th geekiest college in America, partially thanks to its annual celebration of the element Nitrogen.
• We <3 Nerds Con is an all inclusive nerd/geek convention in Portland.
• Portland Comic Con is attended by thousands each year
• This year’s Rose City Comic Con will feature actor and professional nerd Wil Wheaton.

9. NEW MEXICO

When comic book legend Stan Lee passes from this earthly realm, his body should be buried in New Mexico, the top state for comic book enthusiasts. The locals would no doubt entomb him in an immense mausoleum that resembles Superman’s icy Fortress of Solitude. Also, New Mexico has the highest percentage of Pokemon enthusiasts of anywhere in the country.

• Albuquerque Comic Expo is like a second Christmas in New Mexico.
• This year’s Santa Fe Comic Con will include an appearance by Ghostbusters actor Ernie Hudson, which is awesome.
• Albuquerque Comic Con is going to have multiple Power Rangers and more.

10. WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia is a “nerd hollow” of sorts, a refuge for geeks escaping the nerd-bashing states of Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The Mountaineer State is a haven for those who love casting spells in fantasy role-playing games, or LARPing in the park before heading to the comic book store. Some even say Jay and Silent Bob can be heard at night roaming the hills of West Virginia.

• West Virginia is hosting this year’s Tri-State Comic Con (Tricon).
• WV Pop Culture Convention is for those passionate about comics, manga , games, anime, toys, etc.
• Cosplay enthusiasts will enjoy Tsubasacon in Huntington.

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Estately is a national online real estate search site whose articles have been featured in the The Wall Street Journal, CNET, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, NBC News, Philadelphia Magazine, GeekWire, The Denver Post, and more.