Nerd culture is on the rise in America, and according to one study, Utah residents are at the forefront of it. The popularity of cosplay and sci-fi shows has made it acceptable to be a nerd.
According to a recent study, some states stand out for their embrace of all things nerdy.
Virginia is in second place. Can you guess which state is the nerdiest in the United States?
Measuring Nerdiness
Online Solitaire’s study used monthly Google search data from May 2024 to determine which states are most into nerd culture. Researchers analysed search volumes for ten specific “nerd” topics, including astronomy, cosplay, cryptography, and Rubik’s cube.
By adjusting the numbers per 100,000 residents, the study was able to compare each state fairly, regardless of population size.
The study also looked at the nerdiest cities based on three key metrics: the number of nerdy shops, the frequency of nerdy meetups, and search volume data.
They gathered shop data from Google Maps, and meetup information from Meetup.com.
Virginia’s Nerdy Appeal
Virginia ranked second among the nerdiest states.
With a nerdy search volume of 322.54 per 100,000 residents, Virginians clearly support geek culture.
According to the study, Virginians particularly enjoy reading fan fiction, solving Rubik’s cubes, and dressing up for cosplay events.
The Nerdiest of the Nerds
Washington surpasses Virginia with a nerdy search volume of 349.20, making it the nerdiest state in America.
Washingtonians love fanfiction, Rubik’s cubes, and cosplay, but they also enjoy astronomy and larping.
CEO Holger Sindbaek says that “Washington’s strong tech industry, with major players like Microsoft, may influence its nerd culture.”
The state’s search volume demonstrates how deeply embedded technology and gaming are in this state.”
Top 10 Nerdiest States
So, what other states are ultra-nerdy? Here’s a breakdown of the 10 most nerdy states in the U.S.
| Rank | State | Nerdy Search Volume |
| 1 | Washington | 349.20 |
| 2 | Virginia | 322.54 |
| 3 | California | 313.25 |
| 4 | Nevada | 303.91 |
| 5 | New York | 303.36 |
| 6 | Utah | 297.41 |
| 7 | Oregon | 294.22 |
| 8 | Colorado | 292.24 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 289.93 |
| 10 | Maryland | 288.99 |
Nerd Culture in America
Americans are enjoying everything from tabletop RPGs (role-playing games) to TV shows like The Big Bang Theory.
Comic conventions and fan gatherings attract large crowds, demonstrating to the world that being a nerd is the new cool.
Fans of nerd culture are increasingly confident in discussing their favourite nerd hobbies. Whether it’s talking about a new twist in a comic book or demonstrating an impressive Rubik’s cube solution, nerds are thankfully here to stay.
City Nerds
In addition to determining the nerdiest states, the study also analyzed data to figure out the nerdiest cities in America.
The result is as follows:
| Rank | City & State | Nerdiness Score |
| 1 | Seattle, WA | 86.32 |
| 2 | Las Vegas, NV | 69.73 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | 69.51 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | 58.85 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | 48.93 |
| 6 | Denver, CO | 42.39 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | 38.57 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | 35.81 |
| 9 | Louisville, KY | 32.21 |
| 10 | Dallas, TX | 29.90 |
