• Oregon leads all states with 138,112 searches per 100,000 residents for social media-related terms
• Virginia and New York follow closely behind, with 136,960 and 134,715 searches per 100,000 residents respectively
• Mississippi shows the lowest risk with only 87,592 searches per 100,000 residents, nearly 37% less than Oregon

A new study by SEO agency, Hennessey Digital has revealed that Oregon has the highest risk of social media addiction among all US states.

The research analyzed Google search data across all 50 states to determine which areas demonstrate the most obsessive online behavior through platform-related searches.

Oregon residents appear to be the most at risk of social media addiction with social media platforms, with 138,112 monthly searches per 100,000 population related to social media access, login information, and verification processes.

Virginia follows closely behind Oregon, with 136,960 monthly searches per 100,000 residents, placing it second in the nation for potential social media addiction. New York ranks third in the nation with 134,715 monthly searches per 100,000 residents related to social media platforms.

Massachusetts secured the fourth position with 133,971 searches per 100,000 residents. Washington state ranks fifth with 133,379 searches per 100,000 population. Home to tech giants like Microsoft and Amazon, Washington’s high ranking reflects its tech-savvy population.

Despite its rural character and reputation for outdoor activities, Maine ranks sixth in the nation with 131,273 searches per 100,000 residents. Maryland places seventh nationwide with 130,933 searches per 100,000 population.

Illinois ranks eighth with 128,255 searches per 100,000 residents. The Prairie State’s mix of urban centers like Chicago and rural communities demonstrates how social media addiction crosses geographic and demographic lines. Illinois residents show particularly strong engagement with platform-specific searches.

Georgia secures the ninth position with 126,791 searches per 100,000 population. The Peach State’s growing technology sector, centered around Atlanta, may contribute to its high ranking. Georgia’s diverse population appears uniformly engaged with social media platforms across age groups.

Rounding out the top ten is New Hampshire with 124,860 searches per 100,000 residents. The Granite State’s high ranking is somewhat surprising given its small size and reputation for independent thinking. New Hampshire’s engagement with social media platforms suggests digital connectivity transcends traditional state stereotypes.

Rank	State	Monthly Searches	Average Monthly Searches per 100,000 population for social media related terms
1	Oregon	5,846,773	138,112
2	Virginia	11,937,023	136,960
3	New York	26,365,352	134,715
4	Massachusetts	9,379,821	133,971
5	Washington	10,420,709	133,379
6	Maine	1,832,212	131,273
7	Maryland	8,091,989	130,933
8	Illinois	16,095,633	128,255
9	Georgia	13,984,014	126,791
10	New Hampshire	1,750,605	124,860

Jason Hennessey, CEO of Hennessey Digital, commented on the findings:

“What’s particularly interesting is how the highest-ranked states include both coastal tech hubs and rural states like Maine, demonstrating that social media addiction cuts across traditional demographic categories. The lower-ranked states might offer insights into maintaining healthier relationships with technology.”

The study also revealed that coastal states generally ranked higher for social media addiction risk, with 8 of the top 15 states located on either the Atlantic or Pacific coasts. Midwestern and Southern states tended to rank lower, suggesting potential regional cultural differences in digital engagement.”