10 Least Vegan States in America

Veganism has swept not only the nation but across the globe. While only a small portion of the population is vegan (about two to six percent), there are more and more restaurants and brands catering to this group. Yet, this doesn’t mean traveling across the country doesn’t pose some challenges when it comes to finding vegan food.

So, which states might you want to avoid if you’re vegan? Well, a study conducted by San Diego State University laid it all out, going into great detail about the top vegan states in America. Yet, they also ranked all the states. So, let’s take a look. What 10 states fell to the bottom of the list?

10 least vegan states study methodology

This study ranked the top vegan states based on four factors. As such, this also determined the least vegan states in the United States. If you could care less about these data points and just want to get to the juice of the article (the top 10 least vegan states in America), keep scrolling. If you’re interested in what researchers used to define this study, here you go:

1. Vegan population per capita. Since there is no way to know for sure how many vegans reside in each state, an estimate was used to determine this data point. Researchers took the search volume for the phrase “vegan restaurants” in each state and determined a number based on how the ratio played out when compared to the total state population. And yes, this might not be entirely accurate or the best measure, but it’s the best we’ve got. With Coconut Mama promoting dairy-free living (like this coconut bark and this coconut peanut butter recipe) for more than 10 years, perhaps, one day, we’ll do our own study. For now, check out some of our awesome recipes.
2. Number of vegan restaurants per capita. Determining the ranking from the top vegan states to the least vegan states, researchers explored the number of vegan restaurants in each state based on Google Maps, HappyCow.com, and Yelp. And a quick note: This assessment was done with only vegan restaurants, so vegetarian ones weren’t included.
3. Vegan meetup groups per capita. How much is the vegan lifestyle promoted in each state? This is what this data point is all about. Researchers measured it using Meetup.com and Google search, weighted against the population size. Inevitably, the least vegan states are the ones with the least vegan meetups.
4. Animal welfare groups per capita. Many vegans take this lifestyle route to support animal rights. Thus, the number of animal welfare groups might give some indication of how friendly or unfriendly a state is toward vegans and providing what they need.

The 10 least vegan states in the United States

Okay, so let’s get to the reason why you came here. What are the 10 least vegan states in America? These might surprise you!

10. Oklahoma

While you can find vegan restaurants and groups in Oklahoma, unfortunately, it’s not the ideal place for vegans to live. When compared to top runners, like Nevada and California, you simply won’t find as many options or potentially as many people who are vegan. At the same time, this isn’t the worst place to be. There are options, just not as many as most vegans would like.

9. Iowa

Similar to Oklahoma, Iowa has some options but not many. In fact, according to Google search results, there are only 15 vegan restaurants in this state. So, as I said, there are options, just not plenty to choose from, making it perhaps not the best state to be vegan.

8. Montana

Montana actually has options for vegans at many grocery stores. So, where are they lacking? Why such a low ranking? Well, they don’t appear to have as many searches, meet-ups, or restaurants as plenty of other states. Hunting and fishing are also a pretty common and popular hobbies in this state, giving way to likely fewer people choosing to become vegan.

7. Arkansas

Considering Arkansas is actually known for its outdoor space and rice and poultry production, it’s no wonder why this state ranks low when it comes to veganism. With many farms, many people in this state grow up around the raising of animals for food. Thus, veganism likely doesn’t appeal to most people’s values in this region.

6. Mississippi

In the south, such as in Mississippi, many major dishes and restaurants revolve around meat and animal foods, like BBQs, seafood, and more. With most meats being served with a side of cornbread, many events and restaurants don’t revolve around the vegan lifestyle, as you can imagine. And this is why it’s the sixth least vegan state in America!

5. Wyoming

There’s no surprise here; Wyoming is the least populated state in America, so it kind of makes sense why there aren’t many vegans or vegan options here. But, again, you can find vegan restaurants, just not a vast selection like you would see in California. In fact, some of the most popular dishes in Wyoming include burgers (including elk burgers!), oysters, and steak. Not exactly vegan!

4. Alabama

Another southern state! With a food culture revolving around meat, yet again, this one isn’t exactly vegan-friendly, making it hard to find tons of options here. Some popular dishes in Alabama are definitely not vegan, like pork chops, fried chicken, and shrimp and grits. 

3. South Dakota

Finding a strictly “vegan” restaurant in South Dakota is going to prove difficult, not impossible, but you may need to drive quite a ways to find one (if it’s any good!). The state dish in South Dakota is even comprised of meat; It’s called chislic, which is a skewer of red meat. Again, it’s no surprise why vegans might find it a tough spot to find good eats and a welcoming or big vegan community.

2. Alaska

Alaska is often viewed as a carnivorous state due to its consumption of game meat and fish. Up in the great white north, it’s no surprise why this might not be exactly vegan-friendly. Simply put, options are naturally scarce for vegans, meaning most vegan food must be imported. However, the summertime does offer more options for the vegan crowd. Yet, living-wise, you won’t find too many Alaskans who follow the vegan lifestyle.

1. North Dakota

When it comes to any “special” diet, North Dakota hasn’t fully kept up with the times. They don’t particularly cater to many diets outside of the norm. Vegan restaurants don’t appear to stand the test of time in this region. However, some popular food spots are starting to offer vegan or gluten-free dishes. At the same time, unfortunately, North Dakota has gained the title of the least vegan state in America. 

So, there you have it! If you’re vegan, your travel plans or living situation might not include these 10 states (and for a good reason). Perhaps as time goes on, we’ll see improvements in what they offer. For now, it might be better (and more fun!) for vegans to stick to the top 10 vegan states in America instead.