America’s Most (and Least) Charitable States

The Least Charitable States

10. Alaska
> Charitable donation per taxpayer: $826
> Taxpayers who donate to charity: 18.4% (5th lowest)
> Average income per taxpayer: $56,473 (14th highest)
> Pct. of households earning $200,000 or more: 5.1% (9th highest)

Alaska’s income per taxpayer is the 14th highest in the country, and the state has the second-lowest poverty rate in the U.S. of just 9%. Nevertheless, charitable giving per tax return is the 10th-lowest in the U.S. The relative cost of living in the state is the second highest in the country, which may partially explain the disparity between income and charitable giving. However, only 18.4% of people who filed returns reported giving any amount at all. And although income in the state improved from 27th in the country to 14th between 2004 and 2009, charitable donations only improved from seventh worst to 10th worst over that same period.

Also Read: Cars So Hot They Are Out of Stock

9. Hawaii
> Charitable donation per taxpayer: $821
> Taxpayers who donate to charity: 26.0% (22nd highest)
> Average income per taxpayer: $51,535 (23rd highest)
> Pct. of households earning $200,000 or more: 5.2% (8th highest)

Hawaii is another state with a relatively wealthy population that nevertheless gives little to charity. The state has one of the lowest poverty rates in the country, as well as one of the highest portions of its population with an income of $200,000 or more. In 2009, however, the IRS reported filed charitable donations of just $821 per person. This is $261 less than Mississippi, which is by most counts the poorest state in the U.S.

8. Ohio
> Charitable donation per taxpayer: $805
> Taxpayers who donate to charity: 23.9% (20th lowest)
> Average income per taxpayer: $47,574 (13th lowest)
> Pct. of households earning $200,000 or more: 2.4% (18th lowest)

Compared to Hawaii and Alaska, Ohio’s low rate of charitable donations may be more justified. The state has the 13th lowest income per taxpayer, as well as the 16th highest poverty rate in the country. However, even when lower income is accounted for, Ohio fares just slightly better. Only 23.9% of taxpayers report donating any amount to charity — the 20th least in the U.S.

7. Rhode Island
> Charitable donation per taxpayer: $787
> Taxpayers who donate to charity: 30.1% (11th highest)
> Average income per taxpayer: $54,033 (18th highest)
> Pct. of households earning $200,000 or more: 3.9% (13th highest)

Rhode Island has the 18th highest income per taxpayer in the U.S., as well as the 13th lowest poverty rate and the 13th highest percentage of households earning $200,000 or more. Nevertheless, state taxpayers reported charitable donations of less than $800 per person. The one bright spot for the state is the high percentage of people who donate. At 30.1%, it is the 11th most in the U.S.

6. New Hampshire
> Charitable donation per taxpayer: $727
> Taxpayers who donate to charity: 26.7% (20th highest)
> Average income per taxpayer: $59,728 (8th highest)
> Pct. of households earning $200,000 or more: 4.5% (10th highest)

New Hampshire’s average income per taxpayer increased between 2004 and 2009, and it moved up in its ranking among all states from ninth to eighth highest place. Over the same period, the state’s ranking for average charitable contribution dropped from 10th lowest to sixth lowest. While taxpayer charity appears to be weak, other economic measures are quite good. It is one of the richest states as measured by income and its poverty rate is 8.5% — the lowest in the country.