Your meeting runs past lunchtime. Your know-it-all coworker continues with their monologue, and after two more minutes, you snap at them.

Being hangry happens to the best of us. But according to a Zippia study, residents in certain states—including Mississippi—may be more predisposed to it than others.

Do you live in one of the hangriest states in America?

What Is Hangry?

Hangry is a newer word that stems from “hunger” and “angry.” It happens when an otherwise good-natured person lashes out irrationally over something that normally wouldn’t bother them.

The culprit?

Hunger.

Ranking Hangry Behavior

Zippia set out on the challenging task of determining the top ten hangriest states in America. They ranked states according to the following metrics:

• Number of Walmarts
• Number of fast food stores per capita
• “Hanger” Google search volume
• Percent of people with diabetes
• Worst break laws (fewer/shorter breaks equate to less time to eat)

These were the results, starting with the hangriest state.

1: Maine

Maine takes the cake as being the hangriest state in America.

The Pine Tree State has a low 3.1 fast food joints per 10,000 residents and a double-digit percentage of people with diabetes, offsetting the state’s otherwise well-off lunch break laws.

2: Mississippi

Mississippi is home to 86 Walmarts, offering many hungry residents access to cheap food.

The problem?

There aren’t any laws in Mississippi requiring businesses to give their employees lunch breaks. Now that’s a recipe for being hangry.

3: Alaska

Alaska is a bad state to be hungry. It only has nine Walmarts and a low 2.6 fast food joints per 10,000 residents, meaning it’s harder for many Alaskans to down a meal quickly when hunger strikes.

To make things worse, break laws in Alaska only apply to people under 18; break protections don’t exist for people 18 years and older.

4: Vermont

Vermont has a measly 1.9 fast food joints per 10,000 residents and only six Walmarts, providing few options for a quick and cheap bite to eat when people are hungry.

The Green Mountain State’s break laws are also ambiguous, stating that employees must give their employees “reasonable opportunity” to take a break and eat.

5: South Dakota

A diabetes rate of 10.6% doesn’t bode well for South Dakota and how hangry its residents may become.

The Mount Rushmore State also doesn’t have break laws for employees, even for those who are underage.

6: Idaho

Hungry Idahoans have few options to appease their hangry feelings; the state only has 27 Walmarts and 3.8 fast food joints per 10,000 residents.

With 10.3% of people 18 years and older having diabetes, hangry behaviors are even more likely to run wild.

7: West Virginia

West Virginia looks relatively better on the fast food availability front, boasting 44 Walmarts and 5.3 fast food joints per 10,000 residents.

But 15.7% of West Virginians 18 years and older have diabetes, which can increase hungry feelings.

Thus, it’s one of the states with the greatest percentage of residents predisposed to being hangry in the US.

8: Oregon

Oregon has a high Google search volume for “hanger,” suggesting that it’s something Oregonians are trying to understand or combat.

The Beaver State also has only 3.6 fast food joints per 10,000 residents.

9: Montana

Montana’s lack of break laws is prime hangry territory.

The Treasure State only has 16 Walmarts, though its relatively low 7.6% rate of diabetes among grownups helps it avoid ranking higher on this list.

10: Rhode Island

Rhode Island makes the unwanted cut for the top ten hangriest states in the US.

Over one in ten Rhode Islanders 18 years and older have diabetes, and residents only have access to 2.5 fast food joints per 10,000 people.

The Diabetes Connection

Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a condition that can happen to people with diabetes from taking blood sugar-lowering medicine.

The extreme hunger and irritability that characterize being hangry are common symptoms of hypoglycemia.

What’s Up With Walmart?

Zippia chose to include Walmart as a metric in its rankings because the mega-retailer offers residents access to lots of cheap food.

Drumroll for the Least Hangry State

Illinois is the least hangry state in the US.

So, head to the Prairie State if you want to surround yourself with the most even-keeled Americans.

Runners Up

Georgia, Missouri, and North Carolina are also states with few hangry residents, ranking in 49th, 48th, and 47th place, respectively.

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For Florida locals, spotting a “true” Floridian from a Florida newbie is as easy as tasting the difference between a Key lime pie and a lime-flavored pie.

The good news?

If you’re a recent Florida transplant, you can learn about the behaviors that scream “I’m not from here.”

These are some of the biggest ways you can differentiate between those who’ve lived in Florida for many years or their whole life and people who just moved to the Sunshine State.

Passion for Publix

Publix is more than just a grocery store in Florida. A real Floridian sees it as a local treasure. Their sandwiches, also called “Pub Subs,” are famous all over the state.

People line up for chicken tender subs and chat with neighbors while shopping. Locals often praise the store’s customer service, which has helped make Publix a Florida icon.

A Floridian newbie might not understand the hype around Publix. They might prefer other supermarkets or say, “It’s just another grocery store.”

Real Floridians might look at them with disgust. To a local, the love for Publix is hard to explain, but it feels like a special community bond.

Sunshine Tolerance

Real Floridians know how to handle the sun. They wear sunscreen, hats, and sunglasses like it’s the daily routine that it is. They learn this skill early in life because the sun is strong year-round in the Sunshine State.

Florida gets an average of 237 sunny days a year, so regular sun protection is a must—unless you want to look like a lobster, of course.

When a non-Florida local goes outside, they might forget sunscreen or wear it only when they go to the beach. You can also spot a newbie when they call 75°F a “scorcher.”

Real Floridians will usually say 75°F feels mild and perfect for a walk around the neighborhood.

Hurricane Preparedness

A true Floridian has a plan for hurricane season. This is not just buying extra water bottles and canned goods.

They also have sturdy window shutters or pre-cut wood for boarding windows. They know how to track storms using updates from the National Hurricane Center.

Plus, they can tell you the difference between a tropical storm watch and a hurricane warning.

When a hurricane is on the way, a non-Florida local might panic. You may see them buying ten loaves of bread and forgetting the batteries. Or, they might wait too long and find empty shelves.

A local Floridian stays calm, charges devices early, and fills up the bathtub with water if it looks like a strong storm is approaching.

Beach Etiquette

Real Floridians treat the beach like a second home. They know the right times to avoid crowds, like weekday mornings. They also pick a spot away from nesting sea turtles or protected dunes.

True Floridians know to watch for rip current flags before getting in the water. They recognize that a green flag usually means it’s safe, while a red flag means danger.

A Florida newbie might show up at noon on a weekend and struggle with parking. Real locals value the coastline.

They know Florida beaches attract millions of visitors and want to keep them clean. In 2024, Florida broke records for the number of tourists it received, many of whom came for the beaches.

So, you can bet your swimsuit bottom that responsible beach behavior matters a lot to locals.

Driving Habits

If you see someone driving too slowly in the left lane with their blinker on for miles, you may assume they are new to Florida.

Real Floridians know the roads can be crowded, especially during the snowbird (winter) season. They’ve learned how to handle highways like I-95 or I-75.

They also drive in sudden, heavy rainstorms with relative ease.

A non-Floridian might try to zip around quickly or follow too close to other cars during a downpour. Locals also know the best times to avoid traffic, like early weekends or late evenings.

When a major theme park or beach event ends, real Floridians plan other routes to avoid getting stuck.

Knowing the State’s Layout

Florida may look simple on a map, but it’s bigger than it seems. A real Floridian knows that the Panhandle, Central Florida, and South Florida are all very different.

They understand that Orlando is not close to Miami, even if they’re both in the same state. Driving from Key West to Pensacola is more than 800 miles!

A person new to Florida might think a day trip from Jacksonville to Tampa is a quick ride. They don’t realize it can take well over three hours one way.

Locals also know that Florida has many hidden springs and lakes. There’s more to the state than just big cities, beaches, and theme parks. Real Floridians take pride in exploring the lesser-known spots.

Wildlife Encounters

Alligators are a big part of Florida. Long-term locals know to keep a safe distance and never to feed them. They also understand how to share space with creatures like ibises, manatees, and sandhill cranes.

Florida has about 1.3 million alligators, so chances are you will see one eventually. Locals respect the fact that they are wild animals, not pets.

A Floridian newbie might panic at the sight of a small gecko or scream at an armadillo, let alone an alligator.

On the flip side, they might try to feed an alligator or take selfies too close, putting their lives in danger.

Florida Foods

When you talk about Florida food, many people think about seafood, oranges, and key lime pie. A real Floridian can tell you their favorite key lime pie spot and swear it’s the best in the state.

They can also intelligently debate about what “real” key lime pie crust should be like.

A Floridian wanna-be might not see the difference between real key lime pie and lime-flavored dessert.

They might add green food coloring or use bottled lime juice when making it.

Florida Lingo

Real Floridians develop a certain way of talking about their environment. They may say “I’m headed down south” when referring to areas like the Keys, or simply mention an interstate name or number to explain where they’re going.

They’ll also talk about “snowbirds,” “love bugs,” and “the Panhandle,” assuming everyone knows exactly what they mean.

A Floridian newbie often gets confused by this local language. They might call every single highway “the freeway” or use the wrong names for local landmarks.

Over time, picking up these common expressions is a sign of blending in.

Living With Humidity

Florida’s humidity isn’t for the faint of heart. The average annual relative humidity in the state hovers around 74%, which can make the heat feel intense.

Real Floridians learn to embrace air conditioning, keep their hair tied back, and drink lots of water.

A Florida newbie might complain endlessly about the sticky air, especially in the summer. They might wonder why their clothes never seem to dry.

Locals know that a typical trip from the front door to the mailbox can leave you sweating. But they also understand that this year-round warmth has its perks, like spending time outdoors in January without freezing.

Seasonal Shifts

Real Floridians often joke that Florida has two main seasons: hot and less hot. They know that fall doesn’t bring a big drop in temperature, though northern spots cool down more than central and southern Florida.

A Florida newbie might ask, “When do the leaves change color?” or pack snow boots “just in case.”

Locals understand that Florida’s seasons can be subtle, and any slight drop in temperature might lead people to wear jackets they rarely use.

When you have lived there a while, you know that 60°F in Florida can feel like sweater weather.

Bug Battlers

Florida is home to all sorts of insects, from mosquitoes to palmetto bugs. Real Floridians learn not to freak out at the sight of a giant cockroach flying around at night.

They also know the importance of using insect repellent or citronella candles during peak mosquito hours. It’s part of everyday life when you live in a subtropical climate.

A non-Floridian might shriek and run the first time they encounter a palmetto bug in their home. They may not realize that Florida has about 80 different mosquito species.

Locals keep their cool, grab some paper towels or a shoe, and tackle the problem head-on, understanding it’s simply part of Florida living.

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The United States is often celebrated for its economic successes throughout history. But every state has its own economy to deal with, including Alabama.

A state’s financial stability depends, in part, on the counties within its borders. With so many factors in play across the many counties in each state, including lawmaking and geography, there are large divides between wealthier and poorer counties.

Credit Karma examined which county is the poorest in each state, while also comparing them to the richest.

Can you guess how Ohio’s poorest county compares to the rest of the nation?

State-by-State County Analysis

To compile the list of the poorest counties in each state, Credit Karma measured factors including median household income, mean household income, and poverty rates.

For comparison, they included the richest counties in each state based on the same guidelines. 

There are 3,143 counties and county equivalents in the United States. Delaware has the fewest counties (3), and Texas has the most (254).

With that in mind, these are the statistically poorest (and richest) counties in each state.

1: Perry County, Alabama

• Median household income: $23,875
• Poverty rate: 36.1%

Shelby County is the richest county in Alabama, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $78,889
• Poverty rate: 6.9%

2: Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska

• Median household income: $37,358
• Poverty rate: 37.9%

Chugach Census Area is the richest county in Alaska, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $90,776
• Poverty rate: 5.2%

3: Apache County, Arizona

• Median household income: $33,967
• Poverty rate: 34.4%

Maricopa County is the richest county in Arizona, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $67,799
• Poverty rate: 12.7%

4: Phillips County, Arkansas

• Median household income: $33,724
• Poverty rate: 31.3%

Benton County is the richest county in Arkansas, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $71,556
• Poverty rate: 8.6%

5: Trinity County, California

• Median household income: $41,780
• Poverty rate: 23.2%

San Mateo County is the richest county in California, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $128,091
• Poverty rate: 6.2%

6: Costilla County, Colorado

• Median household income: $34,732
• Poverty rate: 26.6%

Douglas County is the richest county in Colorado, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $121,393
• Poverty rate: 3.2%

7: Windham County, Connecticut

• Median household income: $67,365
• Poverty rate: 11.5%

Fairfield County is the richest county in Connecticut, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $97,539
• Poverty rate: 8.9%

8: Kent County, Delaware

• Median household income: $60,117
• Poverty rate: 13.2%

New Castle County is the richest county in Delaware, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $75,275
• Poverty rate: 10.7%

9: Madison County, Florida

• Median household income: $35,240
• Poverty rate: 29.8%

St. Johns County is the richest county in Florida, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $83,803
• Poverty rate: 7.7%

10: Jenkins County, Georgia

• Median household income: $25,712
• Poverty rate: 34.5%

Forsyth County is the richest county in Georgia, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $112,834
• Poverty rate: 5.2%

11: Hawaii County, Hawaii

• Median household income: $65,401
• Poverty rate: 14.0%

Honolulu County is the richest county in Hawaii, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $87,722
• Poverty rate: 8.4%

12: Madison County, Idaho

• Median household income: $44,419
• Poverty rate: 26.7%

Teton County is the richest county in Idaho, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $73,274
• Poverty rate: 6.9%

13: Alexander County, Illinois

• Median household income: $34,709
• Poverty rate: 26.9%

DuPage County is the richest county in Illinois, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $94,930
• Poverty rate: 6.2%

14: Crawford County, Indiana

• Median household income: $41,761
• Poverty rate: 19.4%

Hamilton County is the richest county in Indiana, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $98,880
• Poverty rate: 4.4%

15: Appanoose County, Iowa

• Median household income: $39,693
• Poverty rate: 19.7%

Dallas County is the richest county in Iowa, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $88,368
• Poverty rate: 5.2%

16: Chautauqua County, Kansas

• Median household income: $39,500
• Poverty rate: 19.6%

Johnson County is the richest county in Kansas, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $91,650
• Poverty rate: 4.9%

17: Wolfe County, Kentucky

• Median household income: $22,292
• Poverty rate: 36.1%

Oldham County is the richest county in Kentucky, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $103,761
• Poverty rate: 4.8%

18: East Carroll Parish, Louisiana

• Median household income: $24,551
• Poverty rate: 50.7%

Ascension Parish is the richest county in Louisiana, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $82,594
• Poverty rate: 10.0%

19: Piscataquis County, Maine

• Median household income: $42,083
• Poverty rate: 17.3%

Cumberland County is the richest county in Maine, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $76,014
• Poverty rate: 8.3%

20: Somerset County, Maryland

• Median household income: $44,980
• Poverty rate: 20.0%

Howard County is the richest county in Maryland, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $124,042
• Poverty rate: 5.1%

21: Hampden County, Massachusetts

• Median household income: $57,623
• Poverty rate: 15.7%

Nantucket County is the richest county in Massachusetts, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $112,306
• Poverty rate: 6.3%

22: Clare County, Michigan

• Median household income: $41,163
• Poverty rate: 22.7%

Livingston County is the richest county in Michigan, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $84,274
• Poverty rate: 5.3%

23: Mahnomen County, Minnesota

• Median household income: $45,398
• Poverty rate: 21.0%

Carver County is the richest county in Minnesota, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $104,011
• Poverty rate: 3.4%

24: Holmes County, Mississippi

• Median household income: $24,074
• Poverty rate: 40.2%

Madison County is the richest county in Mississippi, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $71,621
• Poverty rate: 10.6%

25: Oregon County, Missouri

• Median household income: $32,766
• Poverty rate: 26.3%

St. Charles County is the richest county in Missouri, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $87,644
• Poverty rate: 4.8%

26: Glacier County, Montana

• Median household income: $37,645
• Poverty rate: 29.7%

Jefferson County is the richest county in Montana, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $71,779
• Poverty rate: 6.5%

27: Pawnee County, Nebraska

• Median household income: $46,063
• Poverty rate: 20.2%

Sarpy County is the richest county in Nebraska, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $83,051
• Poverty rate: 5.6%

28: Mineral County, Nevada

• Median household income: $31,500
• Poverty rate: 20.8%

Douglas County is the richest county in Nevada, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $71,415
• Poverty rate: 7.5%

29: Coos County, New Hampshire

• Median household income: $48,945
• Poverty rate: 11.7%

Rockingham County is the richest county in New Hampshire, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $93,962
• Poverty rate: 4.6%

30: Cumberland County, New Jersey

• Median household income: $55,709
• Poverty rate: 16.0%

Hunterdon County is the richest county in New Jersey, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $117,858
• Poverty rate: 3.9%

31: McKinley County, New Mexico

• Median household income: $36,179
• Poverty rate: 35.2%

Los Alamos County is the richest county in New Mexico, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $119,266
• Poverty rate: 4.0%

32: Bronx County, New York

• Median household income: $41,895
• Poverty rate: 27.0%

Nassau County is the richest county in New York, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $120,036
• Poverty rate: 5.4%

33: Washington County, North Carolina

• Median household income: $30,941
• Poverty rate: 27.3%

Union County is the richest county in North Carolina, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $82,557
• Poverty rate: 7.4%

34: Sioux County, North Dakota

• Median household income: $41,893
• Poverty rate: 32.9%

Dunn County is the richest county in North Dakota, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $82,750
• Poverty rate: 6.7%

35: Athens County, Ohio

• Median household income: $42,414
• Poverty rate: 27.9%

Delaware County is the richest county in Ohio, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $111,411
• Poverty rate: 4.8%

36: Adair County, Oklahoma

• Median household income: $34,375
• Poverty rate: 26.6%

Canadian County is the richest county in Oklahoma, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $73,591
• Poverty rate: 7.4%

37: Malheur County, Oregon

• Median household income: $44,362
• Poverty rate: 21.1%

Washington County is the richest county in Oregon, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $86,626
• Poverty rate: 8.5%

38: Cameron County, Pennsylvania

• Median household income: $40,342
• Poverty rate: 18.2%

Chester County is the richest county in Pennsylvania, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $104,161
• Poverty rate: 6.3%

39: Providence County, Rhode Island

• Median household income: $62,323
• Poverty rate: 14.0%

Bristol County is the richest county in Rhode Island, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $85,413
• Poverty rate: 7.1%

40: Allendale County, South Carolina

• Median household income: $26,074
• Poverty rate: 28.0%

Beaufort County is the richest county in South Carolina, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $71,430
• Poverty rate: 9.3%

41: Todd County, South Dakota

• Median household income: $24,102
• Poverty rate: 58.9%

Lincoln County is the richest county in South Dakota, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $84,260
• Poverty rate: 5.0%

42: Hancock County, Tennessee

• Median household income: $28,234
• Poverty rate: 31.1%

Williamson County is the richest county in Tennessee, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $111,196
• Poverty rate: 4.7%

43: Presidio County, Texas

• Median household income: $22,716
• Poverty rate: 39.9%

Rockwall County is the richest county in Texas, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $105,956
• Poverty rate: 3.8%

44: Piute County, Utah

• Median household income: $29,125
• Poverty rate: 19.1%

Summit County is the richest county in Utah, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $106,973
• Poverty rate: 4.5%

45: Essex County, Vermont

• Median household income: $47,035
• Poverty rate: 14.1%

Grand Isle County is the richest county in Vermont, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $81,667
• Poverty rate: 6.3%

46: Radford City, Virginia

• Median household income: $34,576
• Poverty rate: 39.3%

Falls Church City is the richest county in Virginia, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $146,922
• Poverty rate: 2.0%

47: Whitman County, Washington

• Median household income: $42,288
• Poverty rate: 26.0%

King County is the richest county in Washington, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $99,158
• Poverty rate: 8.4%

48: McDowell County, West Virginia

• Median household income: $26,072
• Poverty rate: 32.8%

Jefferson County is the richest county in West Virginia, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $82,551
• Poverty rate: 9.4%

49: Menominee County, Wisconsin

• Median household income: $47,188
• Poverty rate: 28.3%

Waukesha County is the richest county in Wisconsin, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $88,985
• Poverty rate: 5.0%

50: Niobrara County, Wyoming

• Median household income: $46,111
• Poverty rate: 21.5%

Teton County is the richest county in Wyoming, and these are its stats:

• Median household income: $87,053
• Poverty rate: 6.5%

Poorest County in America

Todd County is the poorest county in South Dakota and the entire U.S. Being home to financially struggling counties isn’t new to South Dakota; in 2011, Ziebach County held the title of the poorest county in America due to nearly 60% of the population living at or below the poverty line. 

One reason Ziebach County struggled was the harsh winter when seasonal construction jobs and prairie work halted. In 2023, experts warned that South Dakota’s long winter season continues to have a negative impact on the Mount Rushmore State’s businesses. Some areas in South Dakota had over 60 inches of snow, which was almost 24 inches above the typical rate. 

Virginia’s Wealthiest County

Falls Church City is the richest county in the U.S., with a median household income of approximately $146,000. Virginia is considered so economically healthy that WalletHub ranked it as the best state to retire. 

Virginia is notably tax-friendly, as it doesn’t tax social security benefits for retirees. Also, for everyone living in the state, the cost of living is considered affordable compared to many other parts of the U.S. Virginia has a generally mild climate and the temperature doesn’t typically fall below 30 degrees during the winter, reducing the potential for hurt businesses due to harsh weather. 

Hope for Mississippi’s Economy

Holmes County is the poorest in Mississippi and the seventh-poorest county in the U.S. According to WorldAtlas, the Magnolia State ranks as the poorest state in the U.S., with a median household income of approximately $53,000. 

There’s hope when it comes to Mississippi’s economy. Between 2000 and 2022, the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) reportedly rose almost 20%. According to one expert, Mississippi handled the 2020 recession better than the Great Recession that occurred between 2008 and 2009.