Study Reveals Best and Worst States for American Music Lovers

Music is an integral part of American culture, no matter what state you live in. Some states, however, were founded on the basis of music or have extensive support communities making them more desirable to music lovers.

A recent study done by Mecart, a modular studio manufacturer, used Google Trends to analyze specific music-related search terms. Mecart then ranked each state, based on the number of searches, with a “musicality score” out of 100. The best and worst states for music lovers are interest-based searches done between May 2021 and May 2022.

Top 5 Music-Loving States in the U.S.

#1 – Tennessee

It comes as no surprise that Tennessee tops the charts when it comes to music lovers. Nashville is, after all, known as Music City USA. Home to America’s longest-running radio show, the famous RCA Studio B, the Ryman Auditorium, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville was built on the foundation of music.

And let’s not forget about Memphis, TN, and its early influence on blues, gospel, soul, rockabilly, and jazz. In addition, both Nashville and Memphis have vibrant downtown areas dedicated to their music-rich cultures.

#2 – Utah

Utah came in second place, only lacking in searches for phrases like “recording studio” and “iTunes.” Utah’s music scene is vast and diverse, producing famous musicians like Imagine Dragons, The Piano Guys, and Lindsey Stirling. There are quite a few musical cities in the state that annually host concerts and outdoor festivals, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Moab, and Provo. After a two-year COVID hiatus, many of these festivals are back in action this summer.

#3 – Georgia

Georgia, a state with a rich musical history, ranked third this year with high scores in searches for “music studio” and “Apple Music.” Some of the most influential cities include Atlanta, Savannah, Macon, and Athens, Georgia, spanning almost every genre. Chart-toppers like Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Luke Bryan, and Andre 3000 were born and raised in the peach state. Georgia’s commercial music industry is a large supplier of jobs and economic growth.

#4 – Washington

The birthplace of grunge and a few world-famous musicians, Washington state places 4th in the ranks with an extensive search volume for “Spotify” and “music studio.” Known for homegrown sounds from musical genii such as Bing Crosby, Jimi Hendrix, and Nirvana, Washington’s experimental music scene has influenced many of today’s genres. While notable artists hail from all over the state, Seattle has played the most extensive role in the state’s musical heritage.

#5 – Colorado

Ranking 5th, Colorado’s performing arts and music settings are as colorful as its landscapes. According to the Mecart study, Colorado music lovers are googling “guitar lessons” and “Spotify” quite frequently. Folk and traditional music are both important to the state’s musical roots. Colorado has produced popular musicians such as John Denver, The Lumineers, and One Republic.

Other renowned musical performers include the Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Opera Colorado, and the Colorado Bluegrass Music Society.

5 States With Low Musicality Scores

#46 – Wisconsin

While Wisconsin comes in near the bottom of the charts, Wisconsinites are searching for the digital music service “Spotify” most often. The Badger State is also no stranger to the music world, producing famous performers such as Les Paul, Violent Femmes, and Steve Miller Band.

As part of an initiative to increase the state’s cultural development, the Create Wisconsin foundation holds an annual concert on June 21, celebrating the Summer Solstice with music. The program invites performers of all types to perform on stages across the state for a day.

#47 – North Dakota

North Dakota’s musicality score was especially low for search terms such as “recording studio” and “guitar lessons” compared to other states. However, the state has seen its fair share of famous musicians, including Peggy Lee, Lawrence Welk, Jonny Lang, and Whiz Khalifa.

From musicals to state fairs and outdoor festivals, North Dakota’s intimate music scene, especially in Fargo, is alive and thriving.

#48 – South Dakota

South Dakota scored relatively low for searches such as “recording studio” and music studio,” however, the Mount Rushmere state scored moderately high for “guitar lessons.” The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra in Sioux Falls is one of the many popular sounds of the community, and the town of Vermillion is home to the National Music Museum.

According to reports, 54.5% of adults in South Dakota attended some type of musical performance in 2021. Rock, folk, Native, indie, country, and hip-hop are just a handful of the genres popular in the state.

#49 – Iowa

Iowa came in second to last with a low volume for “recording studio” searches but a higher volume of “Sportify” users. The Hawkeye State has a large volume of Rock’ n Roll Hall of Fame inductees and has a sizable number of orchestral ensembles. The famous rock bands Slipknot and Stone Sour also came out of Iowa. Popular annual festivals include the Iowa Arts Festival, the Des Moines Arts Festival, and the 80/35 Music Festival.

#50 – Wyoming

Although the Cowboy State came last, Wyoming music lovers frequently search for the Apple Music app “iTunes.” And while the Wyoming music scene may be small, it’s not dead. The Wyoming Arts Council created the Wyoming Independent Music Initiative, which strives to strengthen the state’s musical presence. Each year the organization releases a popular Wyoming road trip playlist that highlights everything from country, blues, and folk to indie and hard rock.

Final Thoughts

While some states have more opportunities than others for music lovers, states with low musicality scores still have a thriving music scene. So be sure to support your local music and arts community and enjoy a performance or two this summer music season wherever you live.

Featured Photo Credit: [@michelangeloop/DepositPhotos]

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandrea Sumuel is a nationally syndicated travel writer and founder of the Wander With Alex travel blog. Her work has appeared on MSN, YAHOO!, Euronews, and FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates across the United States. 

Alex earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Management and Information Systems and Technology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. She is currently the Director of Operations and previously the Director of Marketing of a personal injury law firm.

Alex travels to experience, eat, explore, and occasionally escape! She started the Wander With Alex travel blog as a passion project. Today, she collaborates with destinations, vacation property management companies, and hospitality technology firms to provide her readers exclusive insights and information.