Tints and Territories: What Your State’s Favorite Color Says About You

Colors. The reason we’re able to find something beautiful. For some, they’re just a visual preference. For others, they’re personality fingerprints. Psychology tells us there’s even more to it.

Every state in the US has a unique chromatic signature, often saying a lot about its character, attitude, and soul. With the help of Google Trends, we’ve found out each U.S. state’s favorite color.

Your state’s top pick? A small glimpse into its personality; every hue, a uniquely American story. So, what does your state’s favorite color say about you?

Key Findings

• Red is the most popular color in the US. It’s a favorite in 22 states.
• 10 US states (New York, Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, etc.) favor the neutrals, white and grey.
• Green is the second most loved color. It dominates in Minnesota, Oregon, Washington, Utah, etc.
• Orange is the favorite in Tennessee, Iowa, Indiana, and South Carolina.
• Blue is a favorite in Rhode Island, similar to the vibe it gives off.
• Southern states like Georgia and South Carolina use grey and orange to convey hospitality, tradition, and warmth.
• Some states, like Mississippi, Louisanna and Colorado, among others, have more than one favorite color.

Red, White, and Who Are You? Decoding State Color 

Trends

Ever wonder why some states shout while others whisper? It’s all in the colors they wear. Color psychology tells us hues are more than just decoration. More often than not, they can be subtle communicators that nudge our mood in a certain direction. 

Take red, for example. This color doesn’t tiptoe around. It’s bold and energetic, and has two sides, each equally emotional:

• Love, passion, and ambition
• Anger and danger

Now, compare that to white and grey; the cool, collected cousins of the color world. These shades might not scream for attention, but they do demand respect. 

States that favor these hues are like the quiet friend who doesn’t say much but always seems to have everything under control. They exude stability and a quiet confidence that’s hard to beat.

So, what do the colors of these states really say about them? 

Let’s go through the colorful personalities of the U.S. and decode what makes these states tick, one shade at a time.

Scarlet fever: Where red rules the roost

Red states aren’t playing around. Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas wear their passion like a badge of honor. These crimson-loving states scream intensity—think big personalities and a no-nonsense approach to life.

Red is the perfect match for America’s go-big-or-go-home attitude. That’s probably why it’s the favorite color among 22 US states, making it the most popular by far.

Red is also associated with courage and strength. You’ll see these values reflected in the bold sport cultures of red-loving states:

• Texas’ Dallas Cowboys
• Ohio’s Cleveland Browns
• Nebraska’s Cornhuskers

Texas, in particular, embodies the red spirit: larger than life, fiery, and impossible to ignore. 

You know how some colors just get a place? Red’s that color for 22 states in the US. Here are the other 19 states that have red as their top pick:

• Alaska
• Arizona
• Idaho
• Kentucky
• Maine
• Nebraska
• Nevada
• New Mexico
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Dakota
• West Virginia
• Wyoming

The eco-warriors of the map

Minnesota, Missouri, Oregon, Washington, Utah, Wisconsin, and Vermont, paint themselves green. And we’re definitely not only referring to the landscape. They radiate growth and harmony, including a  deep connection to the natural world.

When we think of green, it’s often tied to nature. But green is more than just trees and mountains. It’s tranquility, luck (St. Patrick’s, for one), money, safety, and much more. 

Many states in our study like green, but mostly in combination with other colors. However, some have green as their top contender. And, these states aren’t just living in nature—they’re living with nature:

• Minnesota is making big strides, setting a goal for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040, and with over 4,300 MW of wind power, it’s ranking 4th in the nation. 

• Missouri is taking clean energy to the local level with the Missouri Clean Energy District Act, which helps develop clean energy projects, and offering solar incentives through property-assessed clean energy (PACE) programs. Plus, the Forest City Renewables facility is turning agricultural waste into renewable natural gas, a win for both the environment and innovation.

• Oregon is leading the way with Clean Energy Targets bill, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from electricity sold in the state, aiming for significant reductions by 2040.

• Washington is working towards 100% clean electricity by 2045 with the Clean Energy Transformation Act. 

• Utah offers tax credits for both residential and commercial renewable energy generating systems, supporting the state’s clean energy initiatives.

• The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources provides resources and support for wetland restoration projects, highlighting the state’s commitment to environmental conservation.

• Burlington Electric Department in Vermont sources 100% of its energy from renewable sources, including wind and solar, contributing to Vermont’s clean energy leadership.

Fifty shades of neutral: White and grey get their moment

Ten states in the US rock the white and grey palette. 

White is the color of clarity. Grey is the color of calm. Together, they create an atmosphere of trust and balance. They’re the color of corporate boardrooms, and peaceful landscapes, at the same time. 

While vibrant hues demand attention, neutrals build a sense of reliability, making you feel at ease. They usually suggest sophistication and the ability to adapt. 

It’s almost as if these states are saying, “We don’t need flashy colors to make an impression.” Subtle confidence personified.

White	Grey
Connecticut	Georgia
Florida	Michigan
Illinois	New Hampshire
New Jersey	North Carolina
New York
Virginia

A nod to history: White and grey have deep historical roots. States like Virginia, a cradle of American history, and New York, a financial titan, might choose these colors to signal their storied pasts and enduring legacies. It’s as if they’re saying, “We’ve been here for centuries—and we’re not going anywhere.”

States that glow with orange energy

Orange is one of those colors that just pops. It’s full of life, energy, and creativity. It immediately grabs your attention and makes you feel alive. It isn’t as intense as red. But it has more energy than the sun. It balances cheer and passion so well, and it usually looks best when it paints the sky at sunrise.

Fun fact: In Hinduism, orange is a sacred color associated with spirituality and enlightenment. Buddhist monks often wear saffron-orange robes symbolizing inner transformation. In the Netherlands, orange is basically a national obsession – it represents the royal House of Orange and is worn with insane pride during national celebrations.

It’s no wonder it’s a fan favorite among four US states. 

Tennessee’s creativity, South Carolina’s sunsets, Iowa’s harvests, and Indiana’s Tulip Tree—orange radiates energy and an unstoppable zest for life.

Cool, calm, and collected in blue

Blue is one of those colors that just feels good. It’s like taking a deep breath of fresh air or kicking back next to the ocean. There’s something about it that just grounds you.

Proximity to water bodies (or “blue spaces”) has been linked to stress reduction and improved mental well-being. Marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols discusses this in his book Blue Mind, highlighting how being near water can induce a semi-meditative state.

Rhode Island’s coastline stretches for about 400 miles, offering plenty of soothing ocean views. Blue fits in perfectly as their favorite color. 

The Unexpected Color Stories

Colors are powerful tools in shaping how we view the world, and when it comes to states, their favorite hues are no coincidence. Some states break all the rules. And that speaks to their personality.

Take Mississippi, a wild color carnival with yellow, red, pink, and brown. This state doesn’t do subtle.

And then there’s Louisiana, a state that thrives on bold contrasts. This state takes the cake with white, black, and purple. If states had personality disorders, Louisiana would be the fascinating, unpredictable friend everyone wants to know.

Here are some other interesting color combinations that speak to the state’s funky taste:

• Colorado: Red, green
• Delaware: White, grey, green
• District of Columbia: White, green
• Kansas: Red, orange
• Maryland: Yellow, green
• Montana: Yellow, red, green

Methodology & Sources

To find out which colors are the most popular across the U.S., we used Google Trends to gather data on the most searched colors in each state over the last 12 months. By focusing on color-related search terms, we were able to pinpoint the top color(s) for each state, giving us a fun look at regional color preferences.

Once we had the data, we sorted it by state, making sure everything lined up accurately. We then took a deeper dive into each state’s favorite color, looking for any interesting patterns or trends that stood out.

To understand why people in certain states are drawn to specific colors, we explored color psychology. We researched what each color represents emotionally and culturally—since colors can have a big impact on how we feel and behave. This gave us a lot of context to explain why certain colors might be more popular in some places.