North Dakota’s Shocking Rise In Alcohol Consumption

I ran across an article recently that has been monitoring the increase in alcohol consumption since 2000.

Let us just say that North Dakota has been partying like it is 1999 now for 26 years. According to an article from ValuePenguin, North Dakota has had a serious drinking problem since Y2K. To be honest, I'm guessing it's been going on a lot longer than that.

North Dakota's per capita alcohol consumption has risen a dramatic 38% since the year 2000.

How big of an increase is that? Try the 2nd largest increase in the country since 2000 and over two times the national average.

Some of the findings about North Dakota include:

Alcohol consumption in North Dakota rose from 2.4 gallons per capita in the year 2000 to 3.3 gallons in the year 2022 (the latest year of data available).

North Dakotans prefer hard liquor (spirits), with residents buying 1.6 gallons of spirits per capita. Wine is the least favorite alcohol with North Dakota residents buying just 0.3 gallons per capita.

Overall, North Dakota, as mentioned above, had the second highest increase in the consumption of alcohol during this period.

Where does North Dakota rank overall in alcohol consumption in the United States?

The Top 5 states with the highest alcohol consumption per capita since 2000.

5. North Dakota- The highest Midwest state.

4. Nevada

3. Delaware

2. Washington, D.C.

1. New Hampshire

How about our neighbors around North Dakota? Montana and Wisconsin tied for #6. I can't believe Wisconsin isn't in the Top 5?! Minnesota checked in at #14, while our friends to the south, South Dakota, was the least drunk of all of us at a very respectable #32.

North Dakota's rising alcohol consumption is concerning. According to the CDC, alcohol is linked to several cancers, including mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, colon, breast, and stomach. Not to mention numerous other diseases and disorders.

Who needs a beer? I didn't think so.