Special Report

States With the Most Cases of COVID-19

Samuel Stebbins

Published: August 31, 2021 5:45 am

As the delta variant spreads, new daily cases of COVID-19 are on the rise once again in much of the United States.

Since the first known case was identified in the U.S. on Jan. 21, 2020, there have been a total of 38,158,500 reported cases of COVID-19 nationwide — or 11,663 per 100,000 people. Of course, infections are not evenly spread across the country, and some states have far higher infections rates per capita than others. The number of confirmed cases per 100,000 people ranges from as low as 3,919 to as high as 15,265, depending on the state.

Though the first case of the novel coronavirus in the United States was on the West Coast, the early epicenter of the outbreak was on the other side of the country, in New York City. In the months since, the parts of the country hit hardest by the virus shifted to the Southeast, the Midwest, and California.

Currently, the states with the lowest number of infections per capita tend to be concentrated in the West, while the states with the highest population-adjusted infection rates are most likely to be located in the South.

The severity of a COVID-19 outbreak across a given state is subject to a wide range of factors. Still, states that had a hands-off approach in the early days of the pandemic are more likely to be worse off today than those that adopted strict measures to control the spread. Arkansas, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming were the only states that did not issue a statewide stay-at-home order in March or early April — and of those states, all eight currently have a higher infection rate than the U.S. as a whole.

All COVID-19 data used in this story are current as of August 27, 2021. It is important to note that average new daily cases may include older diagnoses that were previously uncounted.

Source: maximkabb / iStock

51. Hawaii
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 3,919 per 100,000 people (55,668 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 40 per 100,000 people (570 total deaths)
> Population: 1,420,491

These are all the counties in Hawaii where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

50. Vermont
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 4,090 per 100,000 people (25,618 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 42 per 100,000 people (262 total deaths)
> Population: 626,299

These are all the counties in Vermont where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

49. Maine
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 5,581 per 100,000 people (74,699 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 69 per 100,000 people (926 total deaths)
> Population: 1,338,404

These are all the counties in Maine where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: 4nadia / Getty Images

48. Oregon
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 6,280 per 100,000 people (263,164 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 74 per 100,000 people (3,086 total deaths)
> Population: 4,190,713

These are all the counties in Oregon where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: aiisha5 / iStock

47. Washington
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 7,204 per 100,000 people (542,878 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 86 per 100,000 people (6,448 total deaths)
> Population: 7,535,591

These are all the counties in Washington where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

46. New Hampshire
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 7,806 per 100,000 people (105,883 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 104 per 100,000 people (1,408 total deaths)
> Population: 1,356,458

These are all the counties in New Hampshire where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Matt Anderson / iStock via Getty Images

45. Washington D.C.
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 7,912 per 100,000 people (54,156 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 169 per 100,000 people (1,155 total deaths)
> Population: 702,455

Click here to see all current COVID-19 data for Washington D.C.

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

44. Maryland
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 8,128 per 100,000 people (491,174 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 165 per 100,000 people (9,963 total deaths)
> Population: 6,042,718

These are all the counties in Maryland where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

43. Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 8,819 per 100,000 people (751,133 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 138 per 100,000 people (11,730 total deaths)
> Population: 8,517,685

These are all the counties in Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

42. Pennsylvania
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,004 per 100,000 people (1,281,199 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 220 per 100,000 people (28,131 total deaths)
> Population: 12,807,060

These are all the counties in Pennsylvania where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

41. West Virginia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,073 per 100,000 people (181,906 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 168 per 100,000 people (3,036 total deaths)
> Population: 1,805,832

These are all the counties in West Virginia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

40. Ohio
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,201 per 100,000 people (1,192,478 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 177 per 100,000 people (20,729 total deaths)
> Population: 11,689,442

These are all the counties in Ohio where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

39. Connecticut
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,332 per 100,000 people (369,132 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 233 per 100,000 people (8,335 total deaths)
> Population: 3,572,665

These are all the counties in Connecticut where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: pawel.gaul / Getty Images

38. Michigan
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,506 per 100,000 people (1,050,153 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 215 per 100,000 people (21,446 total deaths)
> Population: 9,995,915

These are all the counties in Michigan where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

37. Colorado
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,644 per 100,000 people (606,236 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 124 per 100,000 people (7,088 total deaths)
> Population: 5,695,564

These are all the counties in Colorado where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: ferrantraite / Getty Images

36. New Mexico
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,863 per 100,000 people (227,636 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 214 per 100,000 people (4,488 total deaths)
> Population: 2,095,428

These are all the counties in New Mexico where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

35. Massachusetts
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,870 per 100,000 people (750,248 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 264 per 100,000 people (18,199 total deaths)
> Population: 6,902,149

These are all the counties in Massachusetts where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: choness / Getty Images

34. California
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 10,931 per 100,000 people (4,323,858 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 164 per 100,000 people (64,802 total deaths)
> Population: 39,557,045

These are all the counties in California where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: volvob12b / Flickr

33. Alaska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 11,075 per 100,000 people (81,671 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 58 per 100,000 people (427 total deaths)
> Population: 737,438

These are all the counties in Alaska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

32. North Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 11,293 per 100,000 people (1,172,571 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 137 per 100,000 people (14,212 total deaths)
> Population: 10,383,620

These are all the counties in North Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Scruggelgreen / Getty Images

31. Minnesota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 11,414 per 100,000 people (640,459 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 140 per 100,000 people (7,875 total deaths)
> Population: 5,611,179

These are all the counties in Minnesota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: FilippoBacci / Getty Images

30. New York
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 11,511 per 100,000 people (2,249,543 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 276 per 100,000 people (53,973 total deaths)
> Population: 19,542,209

These are all the counties in New York where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

29. Montana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 11,699 per 100,000 people (124,278 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 167 per 100,000 people (1,773 total deaths)
> Population: 1,062,305

These are all the counties in Montana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

28. Illinois
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 11,765 per 100,000 people (1,499,022 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 207 per 100,000 people (26,335 total deaths)
> Population: 12,741,080

These are all the counties in Illinois where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

27. New Jersey
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,122 per 100,000 people (1,079,900 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 301 per 100,000 people (26,796 total deaths)
> Population: 8,908,520

These are all the counties in New Jersey where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: mdgmorris / Getty Images

26. Delaware
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,158 per 100,000 people (117,587 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 193 per 100,000 people (1,869 total deaths)
> Population: 967,171

These are all the counties in Delaware where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

25. Texas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,182 per 100,000 people (3,496,374 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 190 per 100,000 people (54,455 total deaths)
> Population: 28,701,845

These are all the counties in Texas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: iip-photo-archive / Flickr

24. Missouri
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,200 per 100,000 people (747,436 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 170 per 100,000 people (10,409 total deaths)
> Population: 6,126,452

These are all the counties in Missouri where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: knowlesgallery / Getty Images

23. Idaho
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,317 per 100,000 people (216,061 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 132 per 100,000 people (2,316 total deaths)
> Population: 1,754,208

These are all the counties in Idaho where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

22. Kentucky
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,365 per 100,000 people (552,501 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 171 per 100,000 people (7,640 total deaths)
> Population: 4,468,402

These are all the counties in Kentucky where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

21. Wisconsin
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,427 per 100,000 people (722,453 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 145 per 100,000 people (8,416 total deaths)
> Population: 5,813,568

These are all the counties in Wisconsin where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

20. Kansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,444 per 100,000 people (362,321 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 190 per 100,000 people (5,535 total deaths)
> Population: 2,911,510

These are all the counties in Kansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

19. Indiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,462 per 100,000 people (833,968 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 214 per 100,000 people (14,340 total deaths)
> Population: 6,691,878

These are all the counties in Indiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

18. Nebraska
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,482 per 100,000 people (240,804 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 120 per 100,000 people (2,316 total deaths)
> Population: 1,929,268

These are all the counties in Nebraska where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Cliff / Wikimedia Commons

17. Wyoming
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,554 per 100,000 people (72,528 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 145 per 100,000 people (835 total deaths)
> Population: 577,737

These are all the counties in Wyoming where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

16. Nevada
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,659 per 100,000 people (384,135 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 210 per 100,000 people (6,376 total deaths)
> Population: 3,034,392

These are all the counties in Nevada where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: pabradyphoto / Getty Images

15. Iowa
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,676 per 100,000 people (400,082 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 199 per 100,000 people (6,268 total deaths)
> Population: 3,156,145

These are all the counties in Iowa where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

14. Georgia
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 12,815 per 100,000 people (1,348,019 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 213 per 100,000 people (22,400 total deaths)
> Population: 10,519,475

These are all the counties in Georgia where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

13. Oklahoma
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 13,671 per 100,000 people (539,074 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 199 per 100,000 people (7,857 total deaths)
> Population: 3,943,079

These are all the counties in Oklahoma where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Dreamframer / Getty Images

12. Arizona
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 13,823 per 100,000 people (991,309 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 260 per 100,000 people (18,638 total deaths)
> Population: 7,171,646

These are all the counties in Arizona where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

11. South Carolina
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 13,831 per 100,000 people (703,190 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 205 per 100,000 people (10,408 total deaths)
> Population: 5,084,127

These are all the counties in South Carolina where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Kruck20 / Getty Images

10. Alabama
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 13,846 per 100,000 people (676,795 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 248 per 100,000 people (12,103 total deaths)
> Population: 4,887,871

These are all the counties in Alabama where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

9. Mississippi
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,184 per 100,000 people (423,599 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 275 per 100,000 people (8,214 total deaths)
> Population: 2,986,530

These are all the counties in Mississippi where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

8. Louisiana
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,404 per 100,000 people (671,237 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 262 per 100,000 people (12,226 total deaths)
> Population: 4,659,978

These are all the parishes in Louisiana where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Bill_Dally / iStock

7. Utah
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,460 per 100,000 people (457,098 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 82 per 100,000 people (2,605 total deaths)
> Population: 3,161,105

These are all the counties in Utah where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

6. Arkansas
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,641 per 100,000 people (441,246 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 225 per 100,000 people (6,774 total deaths)
> Population: 3,013,825

These are all the counties in Arkansas where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: EunikaSopotnicka / Getty Images

5. South Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,720 per 100,000 people (129,866 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 233 per 100,000 people (2,059 total deaths)
> Population: 882,235

These are all the counties in South Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

4. Florida
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,798 per 100,000 people (3,151,909 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 205 per 100,000 people (43,632 total deaths)
> Population: 21,299,325

These are all the counties in Florida where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

3. Tennessee
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 14,878 per 100,000 people (1,007,270 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 196 per 100,000 people (13,256 total deaths)
> Population: 6,770,010

These are all the counties in Tennessee where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

2. Rhode Island
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 15,222 per 100,000 people (160,948 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 261 per 100,000 people (2,760 total deaths)
> Population: 1,057,315

These are all the counties in Rhode Island where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Source: csfotoimages / Getty Images

1. North Dakota
> Cumulative cases of COVID-19 as of August 27: 15,265 per 100,000 people (116,022 total cases)
> COVID-19 related deaths as of August 27: 205 per 100,000 people (1,556 total deaths)
> Population: 760,077

These are all the counties in North Dakota where COVID-19 is slowing (and where it’s still getting worse).

Click here to see all coronavirus data for every state.