The Most Sleep-Deprived Places in Every U.S. State

Sleep is essential for health and happiness, but many of us struggle to get enough. An estimated 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from sleep deprivation and 35.2% of all adults report sleeping an average of less than seven hours each night. These sleep difficulties vary by age, race, occupation, and even location. But what is the most sleep-deprived city in the United States? In Detroit, sleep deprivation is reported by 45% of adults, and in Philadelphia, sleep-deprived adults are also at 45%! Lack of sleep in Staten Island is another major concern, with 44% of adults reporting problems there. Plenty of adults beyond these highly populated cities are also suffering from a lack of sleep. The team at iHemp Empire reviewed data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to find the most sleep-deprived places in America: 

What Are the Most Sleep-Deprived Places in the U.S.? 

Here are the 20 most sleep-deprived counties in the United States based on the percentage of adults who reported an average of less than seven hours of sleep a night:  

1. McGreary County, Kentucky — 49% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

2. Mingo County, West Virginia — 49% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

3. Green County, Alabama — 48% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

4. Clay County, Georgia — 47% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

5. Honolulu County, Hawaii — 47% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

6. Hardeman County, Tennessee — 47% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

7. Petersburg County, Virginia — 47% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

8. East Carroll County, Mississippi — 46% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

9. Union County, Florida — 45% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

10. Wayne County, Michigan — 45% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

11. Trumbull County, Ohio — 45% of adults reported insufficient sleep 

12. Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — 45% of adults reported insufficient sleep 

13. Allendale County, South Carolina — 45% of adults reported insufficient sleep 

14. Richmond County, New York — 44% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

15. Cumberland County, New Jersey — 43% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

16. Bertie County, North Carolina — 43% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

17. Adair County, Oklahoma — 43% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

18. Kusilvak County, Alaska — 42% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

19. Jefferson County, Texas — 42% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

20. St. Francis County, Arkansas — 41% of adults reported insufficient sleep  

What Are the Dangers of Sleep Deprivation? 

Is a lack of sleep bad for you? Absolutely! Sleep is a basic human need, just like drinking, eating, and breathing. Proper sleep is vital for long-term health and well-being. Sleep deprivation side effects can lead to physical and mental health issues, injuries, lower productivity, and even a greater likelihood of death. Here are some of the dangers of a lack of sleep and the side effects of long-term sleep deprivation:  

• Sleep deficiency is linked to heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stroke, obesity, and depression. 
• Sleepiness while driving is responsible for many serious car accidents resulting in injury and death. 
• Sleep deficiency in older adults may be linked to a greater chance of falls and broken bones. 
• Sleep deficiency is linked to major tragic accidents  

Other issues can include: 

• Memory issues (during sleep, your brain builds connections to help you process and remember new information, so a lack of sleep can impact both short- and long-term memory) 
• Trouble concentrating, being creative, and solving problems 
• Weight gain (lack of sleep causes the chemicals that signal satisfaction to be off balance, leading to overindulgence)  
• Lower libido (lack of sleep may lead to a drop in testosterone levels)  
• Weakened immunity (studies show that people who do not get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after exposure to a virus, such as the common cold) 

Here are some resources on how to fall asleep and how to get better sleep:  

• Tips for Better Sleep — Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  
• Sleep Tips: Six Steps to Better Sleep — Mayo Clinic  
• Eight Secrets to a Good Night’s Sleep — Harvard Health Publishing  
• Ten Tips to Get More Sleep — American Cancer Society  
• What to Do When You Can’t Sleep — Sleep Foundation  
• How to Fall Asleep Fast — Cleveland Clinic