These 10 States Have the Lowest Passport Ownership in America, According to New Data
A new study breaks down which U.S. states are least likely to have residents traveling abroad.
As someone who’s lived in the Midwest most of my life, I’ve heard plenty of folks say, “Why get a passport? Everything I need is right here.” And honestly, I get it. There’s no shortage of beautiful places to explore right here in the U.S., but now, there’s actual data showing just how many people really do choose to stay domestic.
A new study by student travel company Rustic Pathways crunched numbers from the Bureau of Consular Affairs to find out which states have the lowest percentage of passport holders. They looked at how many passports were issued between 2015 and 2024 and compared that number to each state’s population. Spoiler alert: a lot of folks in the U.S. still aren’t venturing abroad.
So, why is passport ownership so low in certain parts of the country?
According to Shayne Fitz-Coy, CEO of Rustic Pathways, “With so many vacation options in the U.S., many Americans don’t feel the need to travel outside of the country.” Pew Research backs this up—around 23% of Americans have never left the U.S.
But it’s not just about personal preference. States with lower incomes, more rural areas, fewer passport acceptance facilities, and limited access to international airports are far less likely to prioritize international travel. In some places, it’s just not as easy—or as necessary—to get a passport.
If you live in one of these states, chances are you’re not alone in skipping out on global travel. Here are the 10 states with the lowest passport ownership in the U.S.:
10. South Dakota
Passport ownership: 35.2%
South Dakota kicks off the list with just over a third of residents holding valid passports. With its wide-open spaces and stunning national parks, it’s easy to see why locals might be content staying closer to home.
9. Indiana
Passport ownership: 33.5%
Despite being home to major cities like Indianapolis, Indiana has one of the lowest passport rates in the country. Only one in three Hoosiers has a valid passport, which might explain why the Indy airport rarely feels chaotic.
8. Oklahoma
Passport ownership: 31.8%
Oklahoma lands in the #8 spot, with less than a third of residents owning a passport. More than 1.3 million have been issued over the past 10 years, but that’s still low compared to other states of similar size.
7. Tennessee
Passport ownership: 31.4%
Tennessee is known for drawing tourists in with Nashville’s music scene and the Smokies’ natural beauty, but when it comes to its own residents heading abroad, most are staying stateside.
6. Louisiana
Passport ownership: 29.1%
It might surprise some people that Louisiana, a major port and cruise hub, is this low on the list. Just under 30% of residents have passports, which might reflect economic or regional travel preferences. (I mean, NOLA has a lot to offer already!)
5. Kentucky
Passport ownership: 27.4%
Only about one in four Kentuckians holds a valid passport, despite more than a million being issued over the last decade. International trips just aren’t as common here as, say, a weekend at Lake Cumberland.
4. Arkansas
Passport ownership: 26.2%
Coming in at number four, Arkansas has issued just over 800,000 passports in the last 10 years. That’s low, even when adjusted for population. For many Arkansans, a road trip is likely more appealing than an international flight.
3. Alabama
Passport ownership: 25.3%
With its Gulf Coast beaches and Southern charm, Alabama offers plenty to explore without leaving the country. Just a quarter of residents here have passports, the third-lowest rate nationwide.
2. West Virginia
Passport ownership: 20.8%
West Virginia’s rugged natural beauty and tight-knit communities may make international travel less of a priority. Fewer than 21% of residents have a valid passport, and only 367,000 were issued over the past decade.
1. Mississippi
Passport ownership: 20.6%
Taking the bottom spot is Mississippi. Just 20.6% of residents here hold a valid passport, the lowest rate in the entire country. That means nearly 4 out of 5 Mississippians aren’t traveling abroad anytime soon.
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