Map Monday continues the popular (by my admittedly subjective standard) series of ‘what each state leads in‘ with a look at per capita oddities. I’m often asked how I find the maps featured on Map Monday. As with most things I do, there’s no specific formula. In this case I took a quiz about which state best fit my lifestyle. After several dozen annoyingly obvious questions (yeah I have too much free time) and several semi-related clicks later I found the map below. It comes courtesy of Estately.com and presumably relies on US census data. I’ll give you a few minutes to digest the map before sharing my ‘astute’ observations.
Confusing Conspiracy Award – New Mexico
At first glance it appears the creators of this map got their square states confused. How can the state boasting the most famous UFO sighting not lead the country in that category. However, with a little deeper thought it becomes obvious. As part of the government’s cover-up, all of the UFO viewers in NM have been declared mentally unstable. With a relatively small population it only takes a few thousand to vault NM to the top of the mental illness stats.
Least Surprising Per Capita Oddity – Utah
While many states (Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland) were established as religious havens from persecution, Utah is the most recent. Founded in western New York by Joseph Smith The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, whose practitioners are commonly known as Mormons spread west. In 1844 conflict between Mormons and anit-Momons claimed the life of Joseph and his brother. Violence continued until Brigham Young led the Mormons to Utah.
Deja Vu Award- Minnesota
Several years ago Map Monday featured a blog about Thanksgiving and turkey production. Click here for additional turkey facts.
Correlation/Causality Award – Kentucky
While it only ranks second in total tobacco production (North Carolina is #1), Kentucky makes up for it by leading the nation in smoking. Just over 30% of the state’s citizens smoke. Not surprisingly Kentucky leads the nation in lung cancer diagnoses. However, Kentucky’s dubious distinction could be threatened by Oregon, which leads in the US in per capita sales of cigarettes to children.
Strangest Award – Iowa
Iowa has the fewest murderers, the lowest percentage of drug users, and leads the nation in egg production. However, it also leads the nation in the odd category of lost chickens. Apparently more than 27 million chickens disappeared in 2015. So what foul play visited these poor fowl? Are foxes more rapacious in Iowa? Is there a gang of chicken rustlers roaming Iowa? Perhaps, but I suspect a more mundane culprit – avian flu. 2015 witnessed a particularly virulent outbreak of avian flu. Farmers destroyed more than 25 million birds. That still leaves at least 2 million deaths unaccounted for.
So which of these state per capita oddities jumps out at you? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments below.
As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Note to Pay the Bills: While they don’t include too many lawyers or facts about chickens, the books in the award winning Misaligned Series do integrate oddities about upstate NY. Check out a summary of the series here or find links to purchase books here.
Enjoyed this as my after lunch reading entertainment. Interesting only a handful could be considered positive, depending on your perspective.
I noticed that too. It seems to be a theme with many of my maps – at least the popular ones. Perhaps there’s truth in the adage that negative news sells or at least draws eyes.
Georgia . . . Panda bears?????????????
You DO come up with some interesting maps.
I think Zoo Atlanta has four or maybe five pandas while there are only two in DC. Still that would seem to give DC the per capita edge – Georgia has more than 2.5 times the population of DC.