South Dakota Ranks High For Quiet Living In The U.S.

If you're looking for an abundance of peace and quiet, you can't do much better than South Dakota.

Noisy factors

A new study by The Leaders Institute analyzed nine major factors contributing to everyday noise, including flight activity, commuter density, nightlife, and construction permits, across all 50 states, and they found that the Mount Rushmore State was easy on the ears.

READ MORE: Experience The Thrill Of South Dakota’s Buffalo Roundup

South Dakota ranked third on the list of quietest states (behind Alaska and North Dakota), benefiting from some of the lowest numbers in the country in:

• Number of Flights
• Population Density
• Public Transit Vehicles per Square Mile
• Number of Concerts per 100,000 Residents
• Bars and Nightclubs per Square Mile
• Average Commute Time

Quietest States in America

1. Alaska
2. North Dakota
3. South Dakota
4. Minnesota
5. Iowa
6. Nebraska
7. Kansas
8. Vermont
9. Montana
10. Maine

Noisiest States in America

1. New Jersey
2. Delaware
3. Maryland
4. Pennsylvania
5. Massachusetts
6. Florida
7. Illinois
8. Colorado
9. Nevada
10. Rhode Island

A real problem

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in four adults in the U.S. has been exposed to harmful noise levels, often without realizing it. Studies from the Environmental Protection Agency have linked chronic noise exposure to sleep problems, stress, and increased blood pressure.

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