According to one recent survey, pizza is our favorite thing to eat, followed by steak. Be that as it may, the definitive American foods — those that virtually define our national cuisine, and that are indelibly associated with summer — are hot dogs and hamburgers. (Both, incidentally, are among the foods you probably didn’t know were named after places — at least if we give dogs their more formal name, frankfurters.)
How much do we like burgers and dogs? We eat an estimated 50 billion burgers and 20 billion dogs per year — about 156 and 70 per person, respectively.
Chicago likes to call itself the hot dog capital of the world, but in fact Los Angeles consumes more wieners than any other city — about 31 million pounds annually — beating out second and third place New York and Philadelphia. Chicago is number five on the list.
During peak hot dog season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans eat a total of around 7 billion franks. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, on the Fourth of July alone, 150 million dogs get consumed — enough to stretch between L.A. and Washington D.C. more than five times.
No comparable organization seems to track burger stats for Independence Day, but if roughly 140 million burgers are eaten per day, based on per capita consumption, and we eat two-and-a-half times as many burgers as dogs overall, that could mean that the burger tally is around 375 million burgers that day.
With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, it’s clearly time to fire up those grills. We’ve got a lot of eating to do — even if they are among the unhealthiest foods you can put in your body.
Click here to learn how many hot dogs and hamburgers Americans eat in every state.
Click here to see our full methodology.
Source: Jonathanking / Wikimedia Commons
50. Vermont
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $134
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 245 (14th highest)
> Population, 2017: 623,657
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
49. New Hampshire
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $135
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 176 (4th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,342,795
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Source: bluebeat76 / Getty Images
48. New Jersey
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $176
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 181 (7th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 250 (12th highest)
> Population, 2017: 9,005,644
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
47. Massachusetts
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $177
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 179 (5th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 6,859,819
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
46. Maine
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $188
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 184 (8th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 260 (9th highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,335,907
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
45. Pennsylvania
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $192
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 181 (7th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 289 (3rd highest)
> Population, 2017: 12,805,537
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
44. Connecticut
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $197
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 195 (12th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 260 (9th highest)
> Population, 2017: 3,588,184
Source: TomasSereda / Getty Images
43. New York
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $218
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 19,849,399
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
42. Rhode Island
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $218
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,059,639
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
41. Maryland
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $235
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 173 (2nd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 6,052,177
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
40. Florida
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $247
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 212 (23rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 20,984,400
Source: KudicM / Getty Images
39. Iowa
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $248
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,145,711
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
38. Delaware
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $251
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 176 (4th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 250 (12th highest)
> Population, 2017: 961,939
Source: vkbhat / Getty Images
37. Idaho
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $257
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 1,716,943
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
36. North Dakota
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $261
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 213 (22nd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 183 (5th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 755,393
Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images
35. South Dakota
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $261
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 869,666
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
34. Arizona
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $263
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 7,016,270
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Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
33. Georgia
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $268
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 226 (20th highest)
> Population, 2017: 10,429,379
Source: johnnya123 / Getty Images
32. Utah
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $269
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,101,833
Source: choness / Getty Images
31. California
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $272
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 264 (3rd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 39,536,653
Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images
30. Minnesota
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $273
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 216 (23rd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 5,576,606
Source: Pung / Shutterstock.com
29. Washington
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $274
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 256 (5th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 7,405,743
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
28. Virginia
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $275
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 197 (14th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 236 (18th highest)
> Population, 2017: 8,470,020
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
27. North Carolina
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $279
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 10,273,419
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
26. Colorado
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $284
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 237 (12th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 5,607,154
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
25. Michigan
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $287
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 224 (20th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 245 (14th highest)
> Population, 2017: 9,962,311
Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images
24. Wisconsin
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $288
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 208 (20th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 5,795,483
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
23. South Carolina
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $290
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 203 (19th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 5,024,369
Source: ivanastar / Getty Images
22. New Mexico
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $298
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,088,070
Source: DavidByronKeener / Getty Images
21. West Virginia
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $302
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 171 (the lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 481 (the highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,815,857
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
20. Louisiana
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $303
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 203 (19th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 183 (5th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 4,684,333
Source: lhongfoto / Getty Images
19. Illinois
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $304
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 213 (22nd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 317 (2nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 12,802,023
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
18. Alabama
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $309
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 197 (14th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 255 (11th highest)
> Population, 2017: 4,874,747
Source: fotoguy22 / Getty Images
17. Ohio
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $309
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 264 (8th highest)
> Population, 2017: 11,658,609
Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images
16. Nevada
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $310
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 267 (the highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 216 (25th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,998,039
Source: sorincolac / Getty Images
15. Alaska
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $313
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 739,795
Source: Png-Studio / iStock
14. Oregon
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $319
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 253 (6th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 4,142,776
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
13. Indiana
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $321
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 240 (16th highest)
> Population, 2017: 6,666,818
Source: peeterv / Getty Images
12. Montana
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $327
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 232 (14th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 178 (3rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 1,050,493
Source: f11photo / Getty Images
11. Missouri
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $327
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 216 (25th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 6,113,532
Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images
10. Kansas
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $331
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 237 (12th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,913,123
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images
9. Mississippi
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $332
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 178 (3rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,984,100
Source: ChrisBoswell / Getty Images
8. Nebraska
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $337
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 226 (20th highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,920,076
Source: SeanXu / Getty Images
7. Wyoming
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $342
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 251 (7th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 149 (the lowest)
> Population, 2017: 579,315
Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images
6. Texas
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $344
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 264 (3rd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 28,304,596
Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images
5. Oklahoma
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $350
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 267 (the highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 212 (23rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,930,864
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
4. Tennessee
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $354
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 224 (20th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 231 (19th highest)
> Population, 2017: 6,715,984
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
3. Arkansas
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $360
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,004,279
Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
2. Kentucky
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $361
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 240 (16th highest)
> Population, 2017: 4,454,189
Source: ademyan / Getty Images
1. Hawaii
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $379
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 251 (7th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 202 (17th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 1,427,538
Methodology
To determine hot dog and hamburger consumption by state, 24/7 Tempo constructed an estimate based on data from Google Trends, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
First, data on sales at full- and limited-service restaurants classified as having a principal menu type as “hamburgers” from the Census Bureau’s 2012 Economic Census was adjusted for population using data from the Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey.
Total sales at hamburger restaurants per capita were then converted to number of hamburger and hot dog units sold using $3.14 as the price of an average restaurant hamburger and $2.00 as the price of an average hot dog. The percentage of sales attributable to either hamburgers or hot dogs in each state was based on Google Trends data comparing the search popularity of the term “hamburger” to the search popularity for the term “hot dog” in each state.
To estimate the number of hamburgers and hot dogs consumed at home in addition to at restaurants, the estimated number of hamburgers and hot dogs consumed at restaurants per capita was adjusted by the ratio of U.S. food sales at full- and limited-service restaurants to total U.S. food sales at and away from home with data from the USDA.
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