If you answered that it was the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp, which operated in Poland from 1940 to 1945, then congratulations, you are among a majority of Americans who have at least some rudimentary awareness of the Holocaust. (These are 25 infamous Nazi concentration camps.)
But according to a survey conducted in 2020, the number of poll respondents who couldn’t name one of the 24 major concentration camps (as listed by the Jewish Virtual Library) that operated prior to and through World War II ranges from 21% in Wisconsin to 56% in Mississippi.
In the same survey, between 47% of Wisconsinites and 69% of Arkansans said they weren’t aware that six million Jews were exterminated in the Holocaust. Furthermore, a sizable number of Americans who said they were aware of the Holocaust vastly underestimated the number of Jews who were murdered by at least two-thirds.
These Americans are also likely unaware that millions of non-Jews were also victims of the deadliest and longest-running genocide in human history, which took place from 1933, when the Dachau concentration camp in Southern Germany opened, to the end of World War II in 1945. (These horrifying images of Nazi death camps.)
“We need to understand why we aren’t doing better in educating a younger generation about the Holocaust and the lessons of the past,” said Gideon Taylor, head of the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany, when the survey was released.
To determine the states with the lowest Holocaust awareness, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from 2020 U.S. Millennial and Gen Z Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey conducted by Schoen Cooperman Research. States were ranked based on the percentage of surveyed adults between the ages of 18 and 39 who had definitely heard about the Holocaust; could name at least one concentration camp, death camp, or ghetto; and knew that 6 million Jews were killed by the Nazis.
Click here to see the states with the lowest Holocaust awareness
Supplemental data on the percentage of adults who have seen Holocaust denial or distortion on social media or elsewhere online and the percentage of adults who have seen Nazi symbols in their community or on social media in the past five years also came from Schoen Cooperman Research and was published by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany. Data on total population came from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey and are one-year estimates.
Among the ten most populous U.S. states (home to more than half of the country) the share of the population with low Holocaust awareness ranges from 20% in Florida to 31% in Pennsylvania. As many as 58% of people in Texas are exposed to online Holocaust denial while 67% of New York state residents have been exposed to Nazi symbols in the past five years.
Source: MattGush / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
50. Wisconsin
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 42%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 46% (21st lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 53% (16th lowest)
> Total population: 5.9 million (20th largest)
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Source: sleddogtwo / iStock via Getty Images
49. Minnesota
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 37%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 46% (21st lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 60% (9th highest)
> Total population: 5.7 million (22nd largest)
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Source: Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
48. Massachusetts
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 35%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 56% (6th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 56% (25th highest)
> Total population: 7.0 million (15th largest)
Source: krblokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Maine
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 32%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 43% (9th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 51% (8th lowest)
> Total population: 1.4 million (9th smallest)
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Source: Lorraine Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
46. Nebraska
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 31%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 43% (9th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 52% (14th lowest)
> Total population: 2.0 million (14th smallest)
Source: peeterv / E+ via Getty Images
45. Kansas
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 31%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 49% (19th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 53% (16th lowest)
> Total population: 2.9 million (16th smallest)
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Source: aimintang / E+ via Getty Images
44. Pennsylvania
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 31%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 52% (12th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 57% (21st highest)
> Total population: 13.0 million (5th largest)
Source: Holcy / iStock via Getty Images
43. Wyoming
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 48% (25th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 56% (25th highest)
> Total population: 578,803 (the smallest)
Source: XKarDoc / iStock via Getty Images
42. Vermont
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 43% (9th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 52% (14th lowest)
> Total population: 645,570 (2nd smallest)
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Source: Medioimages/Photodisc / Photodisc via Getty Images
41. North Dakota
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 44% (14th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 45% (2nd lowest)
> Total population: 774,948 (4th smallest)
Source: wanderluster / E+ via Getty Images
40. Montana
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 49% (19th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 55% (21st lowest)
> Total population: 1.1 million (8th smallest)
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Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
39. Idaho
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 43% (9th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 58% (17th highest)
> Total population: 1.9 million (13th smallest)
Source: SWKrullImaging / iStock via Getty Images
38. Iowa
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 51% (15th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 52% (14th lowest)
> Total population: 3.2 million (20th smallest)
Source: OlegAlbinsky / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
37. Virginia
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 29%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 52% (12th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 57% (21st highest)
> Total population: 8.6 million (12th largest)
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Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images
36. South Dakota
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 28%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 44% (14th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 63% (5th highest)
> Total population: 895,376 (5th smallest)
Source: amygdala_imagery / E+ via Getty Images
35. New Mexico
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 28%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 43% (9th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 60% (9th highest)
> Total population: 2.1 million (15th smallest)
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Source: bluejayphoto / iStock via Getty Images
34. Utah
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 28%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 49% (19th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 52% (14th lowest)
> Total population: 3.3 million (21st smallest)
Source: georgeclerk / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
33. Colorado
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 28%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 61% (the highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 63% (5th highest)
> Total population: 5.8 million (21st largest)
Source: Robi_J / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
32. New Jersey
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 28%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 54% (8th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 56% (25th highest)
> Total population: 9.3 million (11th largest)
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Source: RyanJLane / E+ via Getty Images
31. Oregon
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 27%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 54% (8th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 61% (8th highest)
> Total population: 4.2 million (24th smallest)
Source: alexeys / iStock via Getty Images
30. Kentucky
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 27%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 49% (19th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 56% (25th highest)
> Total population: 4.5 million (25th smallest)
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Source: Boogich / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
29. South Carolina
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 27%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 49% (19th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 55% (21st lowest)
> Total population: 5.2 million (23rd largest)
Source: benedek / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
28. Indiana
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 27%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 52% (12th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 58% (17th highest)
> Total population: 6.8 million (17th largest)
Source: Michael Deemer / iStock via Getty Images
27. Michigan
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 27%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 53% (10th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 55% (21st lowest)
> Total population: 10.1 million (10th largest)
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Source: Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
26. New Hampshire
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 26%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 47% (24th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 52% (14th lowest)
> Total population: 1.4 million (10th smallest)
Source: Page Light Studios / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
25. Nevada
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 26%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 56% (6th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 70% (the highest)
> Total population: 3.1 million (19th smallest)
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Source: AlbertPego / Getty Images
24. Connecticut
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 26%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 47% (24th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 58% (17th highest)
> Total population: 3.6 million (22nd smallest)
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
23. West Virginia
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 25%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 48% (25th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 59% (12th highest)
> Total population: 1.8 million (12th smallest)
Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images
22. Washington
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 25%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 58% (2nd highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 63% (5th highest)
> Total population: 7.7 million (13th largest)
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Source: ferrantraite / E+ via Getty Images
21. North Carolina
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 25%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 38% (3rd lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 48% (5th lowest)
> Total population: 10.6 million (9th largest)
Source: DutcherAerials / E+ via Getty Images
20. California
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 25%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 47% (24th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 60% (9th highest)
> Total population: 39.2 million (the largest)
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Source: gregobagel / iStock via Getty Images
19. Rhode Island
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 24%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 50% (16th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 56% (25th highest)
> Total population: 1.1 million (7th smallest)
Source: cstar55 / E+ via Getty Images
18. Oklahoma
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 24%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 49% (19th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 59% (12th highest)
> Total population: 4.0 million (23rd smallest)
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
17. Alabama
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 24%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 45% (18th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 51% (8th lowest)
> Total population: 5.0 million (24th largest)
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Source: Philip Rozenski / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
16. Missouri
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 24%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 45% (18th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 59% (12th highest)
> Total population: 6.2 million (18th largest)
Source: FangXiaNuo / iStock via Getty Images
15. Tennessee
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 24%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 45% (18th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 57% (21st highest)
> Total population: 7.0 million (16th largest)
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Source: kdow / iStock via Getty Images
14. Ohio
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 24%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 50% (16th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 59% (12th highest)
> Total population: 11.8 million (7th largest)
13. Arizona
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 23%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 46% (21st lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 64% (3rd highest)
> Total population: 7.3 million (14th largest)
Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images
12. Illinois
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 23%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 53% (10th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 57% (21st highest)
> Total population: 12.7 million (6th largest)
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Source: Fang Zheng / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
11. Texas
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 23%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 58% (2nd highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 64% (3rd highest)
> Total population: 29.5 million (2nd largest)
Source: 1111IESPDJ / E+ via Getty Images
10. Alaska
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 22%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 44% (14th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 59% (12th highest)
> Total population: 732,673 (3rd smallest)
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Source: Robert Kirk / E+ via Getty Images
9. Delaware
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 22%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 44% (14th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 44% (the lowest)
> Total population: 1.0 million (6th smallest)
Source: Brycia James / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
8. Maryland
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 22%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 50% (16th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 54% (18th lowest)
> Total population: 6.2 million (19th largest)
Source: Rawf8 / iStock via Getty Images
7. New York
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 22%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 57% (4th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 67% (2nd highest)
> Total population: 19.8 million (4th largest)
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Source: Brand X Pictures / Getty Images
6. Hawaii
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 21%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 38% (3rd lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 50% (6th lowest)
> Total population: 1.4 million (11th smallest)
Source: Roberto Michel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
5. Louisiana
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 21%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 40% (4th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 48% (5th lowest)
> Total population: 4.6 million (25th largest)
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Source: krblokhin / iStock via Getty Images
4. Georgia
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 21%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 44% (14th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 52% (14th lowest)
> Total population: 10.8 million (8th largest)
Source: ablokhin / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
3. Florida
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 20%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 57% (4th highest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 54% (18th lowest)
> Total population: 21.8 million (3rd largest)
Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images
2. Mississippi
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 18%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 36% (the lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 47% (3rd lowest)
> Total population: 2.9 million (17th smallest)
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Source: Sean_Gao / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
1. Arkansas
> 18-to-39-year-old residents with Holocaust awareness: 17%
> Pop. exposed to online Holocaust denial: 45% (18th lowest)
> Pop. exposed to Nazi symbols 2016-2020: 58% (17th highest)
> Total population: 3.0 million (18th smallest)
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