The 10 U.S. States Least Likely to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse, According to a New Study
A new study ranked which U.S. states would crumble first in a zombie apocalypse — and it’s bad news for the East Coast.
It might sound like something straight out of a late-night horror marathon, but more than one in ten Americans actually believe a zombie apocalypse will happen, and over half of them think it’ll be within the next 30 years.
So, which states are doomed if that ever happens? According to a new CanadaCasino study, some parts of the U.S. are far better prepared than others.
Researchers looked at six key survival factors — population density, access to water, number of hospitals and airports, plus hunting stores and military bases per 100,000 people. Each state was scored out of 10 to reveal who’s best (and worst) equipped to fend off the undead.
And let’s just say, if you’re living on the East Coast, the odds aren’t in your favor.
Here’s how the least prepared states stack up.
10. Ohio
With 292 people per square mile and a modest number of hospitals and airports, Ohio lands right on the edge of the danger zone. Its 2.81 readiness score suggests Buckeye residents might be able to make a break for it, but they won’t have many escape routes once chaos hits.
9. Indiana
Indiana’s relatively flat terrain won’t do much to slow zombies down. Despite having a few more hospitals and airports than its neighbors, the state’s limited military presence and dense towns push it near the bottom with a score of 2.78.
8. Tennessee
Music and mountains aside, Tennessee wouldn’t be the safest hideout in the apocalypse. With only 1.5 hospitals and 3.1 airports per 100,000 people, access to care and escape routes would be scarce — not ideal when the walking dead show up.
7. Arizona
The desert might sound like a good place to wait out an outbreak, but Arizona’s lack of water (just 0.3% coverage) and few hospitals mean survival would be tough. Its 2.71 score reflects how isolation alone isn’t enough when resources are limited.
6. Illinois
Illinois’s 230 people per square mile and low number of hunting stores (2.4 per 100,000) leave residents with few defenses. Even with Chicago’s strong infrastructure, the population density would make any outbreak hard to contain.
5. New York
Between crowded subways and sky-high population density, New York is one of the hardest places to hunker down. With fewer than one hospital per 100,000 people, the Empire State’s 2.61 readiness score doesn’t inspire much hope for survival.
4. California
California’s sprawling cities and massive population push it into dangerous territory. The Golden State has plenty of sunshine but not nearly enough hospitals or airports to handle an outbreak. It lands mid-pack with a score of 2.60.
3. Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania ties for third, thanks to high density and limited access to survival resources. Despite its strong mix of rural and urban areas, the state’s low number of military bases and hunting stores drops its readiness score to 2.57.
2. Connecticut
At 766 people per square mile, Connecticut’s density rivals some major cities. The lack of hospitals and military bases means its 2.15 score is one of the lowest in the country. Coastal views might be nice, but they won’t help much against zombies.
1. New Jersey
New Jersey ranks dead last — literally. The Garden State’s 1,308 people per square mile make it the most crowded in America. Add in fewer than one airport and less than one hospital per 100,000 people, and you’ve got a nightmare scenario for survival. Even the state’s impressive diner scene can’t save it from the bottom of the list.
If spooky spots are more your speed, here are the most haunted cities in America that might give you a few chills before Halloween. Or if you’d prefer something a little more reassuring, these are the safest states in the U.S., ranked by data.
The 10 Most Haunted Cities in America, Ranked by Actual Ghost Sightings
As Halloween approaches and ghost tours start filling up, some U.S. cities don’t need fog machines or fake cobwebs to set the scene — they’re already crawling with supernatural activity.
Read more: The 10 Most Haunted Cities in America, Ranked by Actual Ghost Sightings
10 of the Safest States in the United States to Live In
Here’s a look at the safest states to live in the U.S., based on real stats. We’re talking about personal and residential safety, financial security, road safety, workplace protection, and how prepared they are for emergencies.
Read more: 10 of the Safest States in the United States to Live In
A New Study Reveals the 10 Biggest UFO Hotspots in the U.S.
The top 10 spots across the US where mysterious lights and unexplained flying objects continue to capture imaginations.
Read more: A New Study Reveals the 10 Biggest UFO Hotspots in the U.S.
14 of the Most Haunted Places on Earth
In the far corners of the world, there exist places that seem to defy the boundaries of reality, where darkness and mystery converge to create an eerie, spine-tingling atmosphere. These are the 13 scariest places on Earth, each with its own haunting tale to tell.
Read more: 14 of the Most Haunted Places on Earth
Ghostly Destinations: The Top Haunted Spots in All 50 U.S. States
From historic hotels and battlefields haunted by the spirits of the past to eerie asylums and abandoned prisons, the allegedly haunted places on this list have one thing in common: a long history of unexplained occurrences and chilling legends.
Read more: Ghostly Destinations: The Top Haunted Spots in All 50 U.S. States
