UPDATED DATA 2024: Best and worst states for survival in a zombie apocalypse
By Renee Hansen
The state of the world has many prepping for a catastrophe, whether a natural disaster, financial, or perhaps viral, that will cause the dead to rise. In any case, being prepared is a great idea, and the CDC offers an excellent Emergency Kit Checklist for kids and families. In addition, the group at Research Frontier has updated data regarding the best and worst states to reside in if zombies begin to overrun the world.
Fans of The Walking Dead universe are always looking for more fun info on the undead apocalypse, which was very evident in 2018 when preppers who were possibly fans of AMC's long-running series crashed the Center for Disease Controls website.
The Walking Dead comic, created by Robert Kirkman, has paved the way for other movies, shows, etc., in the genre. The series, which is based on the comic, aired in AMC for eleven seasons and during that time amassed a fanbase, called TWD Family, like no other.
2024 Best and Worst States for a Zombie Apcalypse
The research is based on three factors:
- Environmental conditions (36%)
- Hiding spots (25%)
- Valuable professions (39%).
Additional criteria which makes a state a safe zone include:
- Access to freshwater.
- Number of gas stations, farms, army bases, and prisons.
- Firearm ownership rates.
- Low population density.
- Low crime rate.
- Number of personnel in the military, law enforcement, health care, farmers, scientists, and engineers.
Significant results from the latest research:
- California ranks 100% as the ultimate zombie safe zone.
- Texas is the second best option with a 88.39% ranking.
- Rhode Island is a NO GO, with research indicating it is a zombie hot spot.
- Americans have about a 31% survival rate in the invent of a zombie apocalypse.
Top three survival states in case of a zombie apocalypse.
#1 Survival State - California
California's environmental factor, valuable professions, and safe havens make it the perfect state for survival. According to the US Dept. of Defense's Readiness and Environmental Preparedness Program (REPI), the state has the most significant number of Army bases, with over 30 major military installations. The Golden State is plentiful regarding farms and prisons, which make good places for safe havens. While population density and low firearm ownership are concerns, the state makes up for it with a lower crime rate and plenty of gas stations.
This is interesting as the first spinoff of The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, began its story in Los Angeles. Perhaps they should have just left the city and stayed in more remote parts of the state. The story, which ended in 2023, traveled from California, to Mexico, to Texas and finally to Georgia
#2 Survival State - Texas
Texas earned the second-highest ranking, with 88.39%. The Lone Star state makes up for its high crime rate with an enormous number of gas stations.According to the Texas Department of Agriculture, the state boasts the most farms, covering over 125.5 million acres, the second-most Army bases with 15 active duty installations, and the third-most prisons per capita. Surprisingly, the dry state ranks sixth in freshwater access and, unsurprisingly, has a high firearm ownership rate of 35.5%.
Fear the Walking Dead also set part of its story in Texas, but a nuclear explosion ruined that plan.
#3 Survival State - Florida
The Sunshine State earned the third ranking, 73.28%, for the best survival state. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protections, the state offers 20 military installations, including air bases, naval air stations, Coast Guard Stations, and a huge number of prisons, with 142. Florida also boasts a low crime rate, seventh highest freshwater access, and third highest number of gas stations.
The research rounds out the top five states with Virginia in fourth and Michigan in fifth.
States to avoid in the event of a zombie apocalypse
Rhode Island is the one state you do not want to be in if the undead begin to rise. According to the recent research the state receive ZERO points. Little Rhody, as the state is known (or The Ocean State), has the second-highest population per density and firearm ownership is only 13.9%, which in terms of defense is a horrible percentage.
Other states to avoid in a zombie apocalypse
#49 - New Jersey
#48 - Connecticut
#47 - Delaware
#46 - Nevada.
While this information is a lot of fun, the reality is that you should be prepared for catastrophe by being prepared. Check out some great resources to compile your own readiness preparedness kit. You can also purchase kits at various outlets.
Center for Disease Control (CDC)
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