August 16, 2024 Jeff Wilson

Sweet Cravings: Discover the States Most Obsessed with Sweets in 2024

the most and least sweet obsessed states in the USA

Every US state has distinct consumption patterns and preferences for sugary treats. From the bustling streets of New York to the serene landscapes of Montana, the sweet tooth of America reveals interesting trends in state-specific online search volumes for keywords related to sweet snacks, average sugary snack consumption, and the sugar industry’s contributions to the economy.

This article examines the varying degrees of sweet obsessions across the country, highlighting the ten most sweet-obsessed states and their counterparts -- the ten least sweet-obsessed states.

At the top of the list, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California lead the pack with high search volumes and substantial weekly consumption rates among children. These states crave their sweets and support a large network of candy and chocolate shops, significantly contributing to the sugar industry's economic output.

On the other end of the spectrum, states like West Virginia, Wyoming, and Connecticut exhibit a more moderate enthusiasm for sugary delights, with lower search volumes and consumption rates. Despite this, they still maintain a notable presence of confectionery shops and contribute to the economy uniquely.

Exploring America's sweet preferences provides a window into regional variations and the broader economic landscape influenced by the love for sugary snacks.

Try Our Best Selling Taffy

$7.49 - $39.99

Cherry Cherry Taffy

Taffy Shop

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 12 Reviews

$7.49 - $39.99

Grape Grape Taffy

Taffy Shop

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 Reviews

$7.49 - $39.99

Blueberry Blast Taffy

Taffy Shop

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4 Reviews

Key Findings:

With a sweet obsession score of 80, Pennsylvania ranks as the most sweet-obsessed state in the USA for 2024.
West Virginia, with a sweet obsession score of 50, ranks as the least sweet-obsessed state.
The difference between the most and least sweet-obsessed state's score is 1.6 times.
California's 8.6M searches indicate a high interest in sweet snacks, while Wyoming's 1M searches show the least interest.
The difference between the top and bottom states for search volume is 8.5 times.
In Pennsylvania, children aged 1-17 consume the most sugary snacks (an average of 22.86) per week. Meanwhile, children in Utah consume the fewest sugary snacks per week (an average of 4.83) despite having a relatively higher number of candy shops.16
The difference between the top and bottom states for sugar snack consumption scores is 4.7 times.
Hawaii has the most candy and chocolate shops relative to its population, with 12 shops per 100,000 people, while North Dakota has the least, with 1.6 shops per 100,000 people.
The difference between the top and bottom scores for shops per 100k is 7.5 times.
Sugar industries in California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania generate the most economic output ($6,000 million each), while Wyoming generates the least ($30 million).
The difference between the top and bottom scores of the Sugar Industry Economic Output is 200 times.
Utah has an interesting disparity: It has the lowest average weekly sugary snack consumption (4.83) but a relatively high density of candy shops (4.5 per 100k). This might suggest that while the general population consumes fewer sweets, a dedicated segment of the population or tourists sustains the confectionery market.
Wyoming and West Virginia have the lowest sugar industry economic outputs ($30 million and $46 million, respectively). This correlation indicates that lower interest in sweets translates directly to smaller economic contributions from the sugar industry.
Conversely, California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania exhibit both high economic outputs ($6 billion each) and high consumption rates.
Despite their geographical proximity, northeastern states like Vermont and Connecticut show contrasting sweet preferences. Vermont has a high density of candy shops (11.5 per 100k) and moderate consumption, while Connecticut has fewer shops (1.9 per 100k) but similar average weekly consumption rates.
Southern States: States like Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky have high sugary snack consumption rates (14.42, 13.48, and 17.76, respectively) per week, reflecting a stronger cultural affinity for sweets in the South.
New York and Ohio exhibit high state-wise search volumes for sweet snacks (4,747,700 and 5,331,600, respectively) but moderate average weekly consumption rates (13.95 and 12.95). This suggests a significant interest in sweets, possibly influenced by urban centers where people search for but might not consume sweets as frequently as expected.
In Hawaii, the high number of candy shops—12 per 100,000 people—combined with moderate consumption of 8.12 snacks per week indicates a strong tourist influence on the sweets market, with shops catering to visitors seeking local confectioneries.
Idaho and Kentucky both states rank high in average weekly sugary snack consumption (16.44 and 17.76), which is notable given their relatively smaller populations.

Most and Least Sweet Obsessed States in the USA 2024

10 Most Sweet-Obsessed States in the USA 2024

1. Pennsylvania

With the highest sweet obsession score of 80, Pennsylvania's love for sugary snacks is reflected in its substantial state-wise online search volume for sweet snacks (3,709,200) and the highest average sugary snacks consumed (22.86) per week among ages 1-17. It also has a decent number of candy and chocolate shops (3.3) per 100,000 residents and the highest sugar industry economic output of $6 billion.

2. Illinois

Ranking second, Illinois has a sweet obsession score of 70.56. The state sees 3,853,800 searches for sweet snacks and has an average weekly consumption of sugary snacks of 13.69 for those aged 1-17. Illinois has 3.5 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 people and also has a sugar industry economic output of $6 billion.

3. California

With a sweet obsession score of 66.83, California ranks third. It leads in search volume with 8,608,550 searches for sweet snacks and has an average sugary snack consumption of 9.74 per week for children aged 1-17. The state has 3.8 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 population, and it matches Illinois and Pennsylvania in terms of sugar industry economic output at $6 billion.

4. Vermont

Vermont has a sweet obsession score of 66.15. It stands out with the second-highest number of candy and chocolate shops (11.5) per 100,000 residents. Surprisingly, the state has a comparatively low 1,131,950 search volume for sweet snacks, and children between the ages of 1 and 17 consume 9.6 sugary snacks on average each week. This may be why the sugar industry's economic output ($226 million) here is not on par with other leading states.

5. Hawaii

Hawaii ranks fifth with a sweet obsession score of 65.79. The state has 1,403,100 searches for sweet snacks and an average consumption of 8.12 sugary snacks per week by children aged 1-17. It has the highest number of candy and chocolate shops (12 per 100,000 people) and a moderate sugar industry economic output of $433 million.

6. New York

With a sweet obsession score of 61.98, New York registers 4,747,700 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly sugary snack consumption of 13.95 by children. It has 3.3 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 people and the second-highest sugar industry economic output of $2 billion.

7. Kentucky

Kentucky has a sweet obsession score of 61.58. It has a relatively low number of 2,029,760 searches for sweet snacks and a high average weekly consumption of 17.76 sugary snacks by children aged 1-17. The state has 2.7 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 population and a sugar industry economic output of $354 million.

8. Ohio

Ohio scores 61.07 on the sweet obsession scale, driven by 5,331,600 searches for sweet snacks and children's average weekly consumption of 12.95 sugary snacks. It has 3.4 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 residents and a sugar industry economic output of $2 billion, matching New York’s.

9. Idaho

Ranking ninth, Idaho has a sweet obsession score of 60.1. The state sees 1,520,262 searches for sweet snacks, resulting in the third-highest weekly consumption of 16.44 sugary snacks by children aged 1-17. It has 3 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 people and a relatively low sugar industry economic output of $100 million.

10. New Jersey

New Jersey rounds out the top ten with a sweet obsession score of 60.03. The state has 2,782,462 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly consumption of 13.99 sugary snacks by those aged 1-17. It has 2 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 and a sugar industry economic output of $2 billion, matching that of Ohio’s and New York’s.

10 Least Sweet-Obsessed States in the USA 2024

1. West Virginia

With the lowest sweet obsession score of 50, West Virginia has a relatively low state-wise internet search for sweet snacks (1,514,150) and an average weekly consumption of sugary snacks of 8.34 for those aged 1-17. The state has 2.1 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 population and a minimal sugar industry economic output of $46 million.

2. Wyoming

Wyoming ranks second lowest, with a sweet obsession score of 50.18. This state's online searches for sweet treats rank third lowest nationally at 1,006,450. Similarly, children here consume the third least amount (averaging 7.38) of sugary snacks per week. It has only 2.9 candy chocolate shops per 100,000 residents and the lowest sugar industry economic output of $30 million.

3. Connecticut

Connecticut has a sweet obsession score of 50.49. Despite having the second lowest density of candy and chocolate shops at 1.9 per 100,000 residents, the state’s sugar industry contributes a substantial $407 million to the economy. Moreover, the state’s search volume for sweet snacks is 2,018,550, and children's average weekly consumption of sugary snacks is 8.36.

4. Utah

With a sweet obsession score of 50.73, Utah sees 2,040,170 searches for sweet snacks but has the lowest average weekly sugary snack consumption (4.83) among children aged 1-17. Despite that, the state has a good number of candy and chocolate shops (4.5) per 100,000 residents and generates a substantial $407 million from its sugar industry, matching Connecticut.

5. Kansas

Kansas scores 50.9 on the sweet obsession scale. The state has 1,829,150 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly consumption of 8.47 sugary snacks by children aged 1-17. Kansas has 2.3 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 and a sugar industry economic output of $257 million.

6. Nebraska

With a sweet obsession score of 51.05, Nebraska sees 1,626,500 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly consumption of 8.53 sugary snacks by children. The state has 2.6 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 population and a sugar industry economic output of $85 million.

7. Delaware

Delaware has a sweet obsession score of 51.2, with 1,354,100 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly consumption of 7.71 sugary snacks by children. It has 3.3 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 people and a sugar industry economic output of $58 million.

8. Nevada

Ranking eighth, Nevada has a sweet obsession score of 51.67. The state registers 1,962,510 searches for sweet snacks and children's average weekly consumption of 7.87 sugary snacks. It also has 3.3 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 residents and a sugar industry economic output of $201 million.

9. Montana

Montana scores 51.7 on the sweet obsession scale, with 1,261,910 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly consumption of 8.3 sugary snacks by children aged 1-17. The state has 3.2 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 and a sugar industry economic output of $71 million.

10. Florida

Florida rounds out the list with a sweet obsession score of 52.01. The state sees 4,206,150 searches for sweet snacks and an average weekly consumption of 7.87 sugary snacks by children aged 1-17. It has 2.4 candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 residents and a substantial sugar industry economic output of $1 billion.

State-wise Online Searches for Sweet Snacks

California (8.6m) vs Wyoming (1M searches) 8.5x Difference

Sugary Snacks Consumed by Children Per Week

Pennsylvania (22.86 snacks per week) vs Utah (4.83 snacks per week) 4.7x Difference

Candy and Chocolate Shops Per 100,000 People

Hawaii (12 shops) vs North Dakota (1.6 shops) 7.5x Difference

Sugar Industry Economic Output

California, Illinois, and Pennsylvania ($6 billion each) vs Wyoming ($30 million) 200x Difference

Conclusion

As our exploration of the sweetest and least sweet-obsessed states in the USA for 2024 concludes, it is evident that America's relationship with sugary treats is as varied as its landscapes.

The states leading in sweet obsession, like Pennsylvania, Illinois, and California, demonstrate high search volumes and consumption rates, reflecting a strong cultural affinity for sugary snacks. Their significant contribution to the sugar industry highlights the economic impact of these cravings.

Conversely, states like West Virginia, Wyoming, and Connecticut show a more restrained approach to sweet indulgence. Despite their lower search volumes and consumption rates, these states still play a vital role in the confectionery market, maintaining a presence of candy and chocolate shops that cater to their communities' needs.

The economic output associated with the sugar industry in both high and low-ranking states further illustrates the widespread influence of sweet consumption on local economies.

Understanding these trends gives us insight into the regional variations that shape America's collective sweet tooth. Whether driven by tradition, culture, or economic factors, the love for sweets continues to be a significant aspect of American life, revealing our national palate's complex and delicious nature.

Methodology:

In our analysis, we comprehensively examined all 50 U.S. states based on a set of criteria to rank their sweet obsession levels. Each criterion received a score ranging from 40 to 100, indicating its relative importance in the assessment. We applied a normalization process to ensure a fair and comparable analysis across all criteria. This process standardized the scores for each criterion to a common range while preserving their relative differences.

Data Sources:

State-wise search volume for sweet snacks: This data, sourced from Google search data, reflects the frequency of searches for sweet snacks by state. It indicates the level of interest and craving for sweet snacks among residents.
Sugary Snacks Consumed per Week (Average, Aged 1-17): This data, sourced from Main Street Smiles, provides the average number of sugary snacks consumed per week by children and adolescents aged 1-17 in each state. It helps measure the actual consumption of sweet snacks among younger populations.
Candy and chocolate shops per 100k: Sourced from the Yelp Dataset, this data indicates the number of candy and chocolate shops per 100,000 residents in each state. It serves as a proxy for the availability and accessibility of sweet treats.
Sugar Industry Economic Output (Million USD): This data, from 24/7 Wall St., reflects the sugar industry's economic output in millions of dollars for each state. It provides insight into the industry's economic significance and its impact on sweet consumption.

Methodology: Further Details

How the weights are distributed

The weights assigned to each criterion reflect their importance in assessing a state's sweet obsession level. Higher weights are given to metrics with more significant impacts on sweet consumption, ensuring a balanced evaluation of factors contributing to a state's sweet obsession.

Weight Distribution

The actual scores are padded to 50-80 to reflect realistic evaluations. Weights for each feature are as follows, considering their impact on oral healthiness:

Feature	Weight
State-wise search volume for sweet snacks	0.25
Sugary Snacks Consumed per Week (Average, Aged 1-17)	0.3
Candy and chocolate shops per 100k	0.25
Sugar Industry Economic Output (Million USD)	0.2

Calculation Methodology

Data Normalization: Each criterion's data was normalized to a scale of 40-100 using the MinMaxScaler from the scikit-learn library. This step ensures that all criteria are comparable and maintain their relative differences, preventing any single criterion from disproportionately influencing the final score.
Weight Application: After normalization, the predefined weights were applied to each criterion. This step involved multiplying each normalized value by its respective weight to reflect its importance in the overall assessment.
Score Calculation: We calculated a composite score for each state by summing the weighted scores of all criteria. This composite score represents the overall sweet obsession level for each state.
Final Score Normalization: The composite scores were further normalized to a scale of 50-80 using the MinMaxScaler to present the scores in a more realistic range. This ensures that the final scores are easily interpreted and compared across states.
Ranking: The states were ranked based on their final scores, with the highest score indicating the most sweet-obsessive state. This ranking provides a clear and straightforward comparison of sweet obsession levels across all states.

If you enjoyed these up to date insights on candy, be sure to check out Taffy Shop online for all your custom taffy needs.

Previous article 10 Fun Things to Do in Santa Clara, Utah

Next article FREE TAFFY! Yes you read that right, read more to find out.