Asbury Park Press

MORE THAN 13% OF AMERICANS ARE LONELY

- The loneliest states in America Mandy Sleight and Heidi Gollub

Millions of Americans are struggling with loneliness. We analyzed the latest U.S. Census Bureau data and found that nationwide, 13% of people say they are “always or usually” lonely, 28% say they “sometimes” feel lonely and 58% say they “rarely or never” feel lonely. ● The good news is that many people who are dealing with loneliness are getting help. Nationwide, 60% of people who struggle with loneliness say they get social or emotional support.

Louisiana is the loneliest state in America. Nearly 20% of respondent­s (1 in 5) say they “always or usually” feel lonely and 27% say they “sometimes” feel lonely. Louisiana isn’t alone when it comes to loneliness. Its neighbor to the east, Mississipp­i, is the second loneliest state with 18% of people saying they “always or usually” feel lonely and almost 28% saying they “sometimes” feel lonely.

Three northern states — Ohio, Iowa and Vermont — have the highest number of respondent­s who “sometimes” feel lonely. Though only around 12% “always or usually” feel lonely in Ohio, almost 33% “sometimes”

feel lonely. Iowa and Vermont numbers are similar, with 12% “always or usually” feeling lonely, but close to 32% “sometimes” feeling lonely.

Rhode Island is the least lonely state in the U.S. Just under 9% of Rhode Islanders say they “always or usually” feel lonely. Hawaii follows closely, with 10% and Idaho has almost 11% of residents who say they “always or usually” feel lonely.

The loneliest cities in America

Atlanta is the loneliest major city in the U.S. We found that nearly 17% of people living in the Atlanta area “always or usually”

 ?? ?? ILLUSTRATI­ON BY DANI CHERCHIO/USA TODAY NETWORK: AND GETTY IMAGES
ILLUSTRATI­ON BY DANI CHERCHIO/USA TODAY NETWORK: AND GETTY IMAGES

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