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Quick Answer
To find where diagnosed depression is most common, we took the CDC’s most recent county-level data (2023) and rolled it up to the state level using full population coverage — a more complete picture than the widely circulated city-level figures. By this measure, West Virginia ranks highest, with about 30% of adults reporting they’ve been diagnosed with a depressive disorder, followed by Tennessee and Utah. Nationally, the CDC estimates roughly 1 in 5 adults (about 20%) have been diagnosed with depression. One point shapes everything below: This measures diagnosed depression, which reflects both how common depression is and how many people can actually access a diagnosis.
Mental health is a nationwide concern, but some states are far more affected than others — at least on paper. Depression can be invisible, and its impact reaches across schools, communities, families and individuals. Understanding where diagnosed depression is most common helps highlight where resources and support are needed most.
Most state rankings you’ll find online rely on the CDC’s city- and place-level data, which leaves out much of the rural population, the very communities where depression often runs highest. To build a fuller picture, we started from the CDC’s county-level estimates, which cover every county in the country, and weighted each state’s rate by its adult population. The result is a fresh look at the 2023 data.
How We Built This Ranking
Our numbers come from the CDC PLACES project, which publishes model-based estimates of chronic conditions for every U.S. county. We used the 2025 release, built on 2023 survey data, and focused on one measure: the share of adults who report ever being told by a doctor, nurse or other health professional that they have a depressive disorder.
We combined those county estimates into a single rate for each state, weighting by adult population so larger counties count proportionally. Because counties cover the entire map, rural areas included, this approach captures populations that city-level rankings miss. Two states, Kentucky and Pennsylvania, didn’t have 2023 estimates that met the CDC’s reliability threshold, so their figures come from the CDC’s direct 2022 state survey instead and are marked in the table.
Most Depressed States: Full Ranking (All 51)
Here are all 50 states and the District of Columbia, ranked by the share of adults with diagnosed depression. The top three are highlighted, and the 10 highest-ranking states link through to local mental health resources.
| Rank | State | Diagnosed depression (crude %) | Data year / source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 30.4 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 2 | Tennessee | 28.4 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 3 | Utah | 27.3 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 4 | Oregon | 27.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 5 | Maine | 26.9 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 6 | Louisiana | 26.6 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 7 | Vermont | 26.5 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 8 | Kentucky * | 25.8 | 2022 · BRFSS direct |
| 9 | Michigan | 25.7 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 10 | Oklahoma | 25.5 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 11 | Ohio | 25.4 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 12 | Washington | 25.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 13 | Indiana | 25.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 14 | Montana | 24.9 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 15 | Arkansas | 24.6 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 16 | Minnesota | 24.4 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 17 | Missouri | 24.3 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 18 | North Carolina | 24.2 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 19 | Massachusetts | 23.8 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 20 | Idaho | 23.7 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 21 | Alabama | 23.3 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 22 | Rhode Island | 23.2 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 23.2 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 24 | New Mexico | 23.2 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 25 | New Hampshire | 22.7 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 26 | Colorado | 22.7 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 27 | South Carolina | 22.3 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 28 | Virginia | 21.8 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 29 | Pennsylvania * | 21.7 | 2022 · BRFSS direct |
| 30 | Wyoming | 21.6 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 31 | District of Columbia | 21.6 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 32 | North Dakota | 21.3 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 33 | South Dakota | 21.2 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 34 | Texas | 21.2 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 35 | Delaware | 21.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 36 | Kansas | 20.8 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 37 | Alaska | 20.7 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 38 | Iowa | 20.7 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 39 | Connecticut | 20.6 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 40 | Nevada | 20.5 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 41 | California | 20.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 42 | Illinois | 19.8 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 43 | Mississippi | 19.5 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 44 | Arizona | 19.5 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 45 | Maryland | 19.4 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 46 | Georgia | 19.0 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 47 | Nebraska | 18.3 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 48 | New York | 17.5 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 49 | Florida | 17.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 50 | Hawaii | 16.0 | 2023 · PLACES |
| 51 | New Jersey | 15.1 | 2023 · PLACES |
* Kentucky and Pennsylvania reflect the CDC’s direct 2022 state survey, not the 2023 model. Figures are crude prevalence, not age-adjusted. Source: CDC PLACES 2025 release (2023 BRFSS), population-weighted to state; Kentucky and Pennsylvania from CDC BRFSS Prevalence & Trends, 2022.
The spread is striking: West Virginia’s rate (30.4%) is roughly double New Jersey’s (15.1%). But before reading too much into the order, it helps to understand exactly what this number does and doesn’t capture.
What These Rankings Actually Measure
This ranking tracks diagnosed depression, meaning people who’ve been told by a professional that they have it. That depends on two different things: how common depression actually is and how many people are able to access care and feel comfortable seeking it.
That distinction explains some surprises near the top. States like Utah, Oregon, Maine and Vermont rank high partly because they tend to have stronger access to mental health care and lower stigma, so more people get formally diagnosed. A high rate can reflect a population that’s being identified and treated, not just one that’s struggling more.
The reverse matters just as much. States near the bottom, including Mississippi and Georgia, may have just as much depression, or more, but less access to diagnosis and more stigma around seeking help, so fewer people are formally diagnosed. A low rank here can signal under-diagnosis, not better mental health. Read the table as a map of diagnosed depression, not of untreated suffering.
Why Are Rates Higher in Some States?
Depression is complex and personal, but regional patterns are shaped by shared conditions. The highest-ranking states cluster in a few regions: Appalachia (West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio), Northern New England (Maine, Vermont), the Mountain West (Utah, Montana) and the Pacific Northwest (Oregon, Washington). Several factors tend to drive these differences:
- Economic hardship. Higher rates of poverty and unemployment can fuel chronic stress.
- Access to mental health care. Where therapists and psychiatrists are easier to reach, more people get diagnosed, which can push a state’s rate up even as it reflects better care.
- Physical health issues. Chronic illness and poor general health can worsen depression.
- Social isolation. Smaller or aging populations may have fewer community and social resources.
- Cultural stigma. In some communities, discussing mental health is still taboo, which discourages diagnosis and care and can make a state’s rate look lower than the real need.
Each state’s situation is unique, but these threads help explain why diagnosed depression varies so widely across the map.
Depression on Campus
College students are especially vulnerable to depression. Academic pressure, social change and financial stress can combine to create serious mental health strain, especially at schools in already high-rate states.
Nationally, 44% of college students reported symptoms of depression, 37% reported anxiety and 15% reported seriously considering suicide in the past year. Key risk factors include:
- Limited campus mental health services
- Academic competition and burnout
- Loneliness and social disconnection
- Financial strain and student debt
- Substance use and sleep disruption
Many colleges have begun investing more in on-campus counseling, peer support and crisis lines, but more support is still needed. Students looking for help can start with mental health resources built for college students.
How the US Compares Globally
It’s also worth looking at how the United States compares worldwide, carefully, because the global figures measure something different. According to the Global Health Data Exchange, countries with high reported rates include:
- Greenland – 8.51%
- Greece – 7.59%
- Tunisia – 7.57%
- Portugal – 7.14%
- Lithuania – 6.96%
- United States – 6.06%
Those numbers look far lower than the 15%–30% in our state table, and the reason is the measure. The global figures estimate how many people currently have depression at a given time (point prevalence), while our state ranking counts everyone ever diagnosed in their lifetime. The two aren’t directly comparable; they’re answering different questions. International comparisons are further complicated by differences in health care access, cultural attitudes and the accuracy of national reporting. Countries with low reported rates aren’t necessarily mentally healthier; they may have more stigma or less access to diagnosis.
What These Rankings Tell Us
Rankings and statistics are a starting point, not the full story. Behind every number is a person dealing with emotional pain, isolation or hopelessness. High rates in some states may reflect a greater willingness to seek help; low rates elsewhere may point to gaps in care that leave people undiagnosed. Either way, the data is a call for more resources, better education and broader access to treatment.
Mental Health Resources: How to Get Help
No matter where you live, support is available. If you or someone you care about is showing signs of depression, it helps to act early rather than wait for things to get worse.
You might be experiencing depression if you notice:
- Persistent sadness or emptiness
- Difficulty concentrating or sleeping
- Loss of interest in activities
- Fatigue or lack of motivation
- Feelings of worthlessness or hopelessness
- Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
If you’re in crisis, you can call or text 988 any time to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. For ongoing support, the Mental Health Hotline can help you understand your options and connect you with services that fit your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
In this analysis of the CDC’s 2023 county-level data, West Virginia has the highest rate of diagnosed depression among adults, at about 30.4%.
Factors like poverty, access to care, chronic illness, social isolation and stigma all shape regional differences. Access matters in both directions: Better access raises the share of people who are diagnosed, while limited access and stigma can leave depression undiagnosed.
Not necessarily. This measure counts people who’ve been diagnosed, so a low rate can reflect under-diagnosis, meaning fewer people reaching care, rather than less depression.
Global rankings use a different measure (current prevalence rather than lifetime diagnosis), so the percentages aren’t directly comparable. International comparisons are also complicated by stigma and differences in health reporting.
The Mental Health Hotline offers free, confidential help 24/7. Whether you need immediate support or help finding local treatment, you can talk through your options and get connected with services that fit your situation.
The First Step Is Reaching Out
Depression is a national issue with regional fingerprints. Mapping where diagnosed depression is most common helps show where support is needed most, but it also reminds us that mental health is a universal struggle. Wherever you live, depression is real and treatable, and you don’t have to wait for a crisis to reach out.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure where to turn, the Mental Health Hotline is here to help. Call 866-903-3787 any time for free, confidential guidance and help finding support that makes sense for your life.
Call when you’re ready.
Sources
- CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, County Data, 2025 release (2023 BRFSS).
- CDC BRFSS Prevalence & Trends Data, 2022 (Kentucky and Pennsylvania).
- Mayo Clinic Health System. “College Students and Depression.”
- University of Michigan School of Public Health / Healthy Minds Study, 2023.
- Global Health Data Exchange (via World Population Review), depression rates by country.
