Bullying is a major problem in schools across the United States, and it’s only gotten worse as Social Media takes a greater role in the day to day lives of children and teenagers everywhere. To get a better understanding of Bullying in America, our research team examined bullying statistics across the USA to create this list of the Most Bullied States in America.
[Important: If you are considering harming yourself, please visit this link or call 1-800-273-8255 to speak to someone who will listen].Bullying presents a major problem for students – it’s not just about feelings:
Bullying has a real cost both on education and our pockets as taxpayers. A report by the National Education Association claims that over 160,000 children miss school every day because of fear of being bullied at school. The National Association of Secondary School Principals report that this lower attendance can cost up to 2.3 million dollars a year, per public school.
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Most Bullied State Ranking | State | Bullying Occurrence Score | School Violence Score | Bullying Impact Score | Total Bullying Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Louisiana | 20.55 | 7.375 | 13.025 | 40.95 |
2 | Idaho | 23.55 | 4.725 | 12.425 | 40.7 |
3 | Arkansas | 20.55 | 6.8 | 13.05 | 40.4 |
4 | West Virginia | 22.3 | 5.15 | 11.8 | 39.25 |
5 | Nebraska | 22.6 | 5.175 | 10.025 | 37.8 |
6 | Michigan | 22.2 | 4.4 | 11.05 | 37.65 |
7 | Mississippi | 17.5 | 6 | 12.625 | 36.125 |
8 | Tennessee | 19.7 | 5.25 | 10.975 | 35.925 |
9 | Kentucky | 19.5 | 5.375 | 10.725 | 35.6 |
10 | South Dakota | 20 | 5.3 | 10.025 | 35.325 |
11 | Maine | 21.05 | 3.975 | 9.375 | 34.4 |
12 | Indiana | 17.2 | 4.425 | 12.65 | 34.275 |
13 | Alabama | 16.25 | 5.9 | 11.675 | 33.825 |
14 | Texas | 16.45 | 5.45 | 11.475 | 33.375 |
15 | Iowa | 19.65 | 5.1 | 8.5 | 33.25 |
16 | Illinois | 17.45 | 4.65 | 11.125 | 33.225 |
17 | Utah | 19.35 | 4.325 | 9.425 | 33.1 |
18 | South Carolina | 16.9 | 4.325 | 11.6 | 32.825 |
19 | Kansas | 19.5 | 3.125 | 10.1 | 32.725 |
20 | Nevada | 16.6 | 4.35 | 11.625 | 32.575 |
21 | North Dakota | 19.95 | 2.65 | 9.775 | 32.375 |
22 | Wisconsin | 20.15 | 3.575 | 8.45 | 32.175 |
23 | Georgia | 16.7 | 5.4 | 9.675 | 31.775 |
24 | Oklahoma | 17.45 | 4.25 | 9.775 | 31.475 |
25 | Missouri | 19 | 1.475 | 10.65 | 31.125 |
26 | California | 16 | 3.625 | 10.8 | 30.425 |
27 | Pennsylvania | 17.1 | 3.45 | 9.825 | 30.375 |
28 | New Mexico | 16.05 | 3.275 | 10.925 | 30.25 |
29 | Virginia | 16.65 | 4.175 | 8.575 | 29.4 |
30 | New Jersey | 18.05 | 2.225 | 8.825 | 29.1 |
31 | New York | 18.15 | 3.2 | 7.5 | 28.85 |
32 | Maryland | 15.75 | 5.925 | 7.15 | 28.825 |
33 | Colorado | 16.85 | 3.05 | 8.625 | 28.525 |
34 | New Hampshire | 20.35 | 1.6 | 6.15 | 28.1 |
35 | Hawaii | 16.65 | - | 11.375 | 28.025 |
36 | Ohio | 17.95 | 1.55 | 8.25 | 27.75 |
37 | Rhode Island | 13.95 | 3.475 | 10.2 | 27.625 |
38 | North Carolina | 13.85 | 3.925 | 9.825 | 27.6 |
39 | Delaware | 14.05 | 4.575 | 8.725 | 27.35 |
40 | Massachusetts | 14.3 | 3.225 | 9.15 | 26.675 |
41 | Florida | 13.3 | 3.725 | 8.75 | 25.775 |
42 | Connecticut | 16.25 | 3.225 | 5.325 | 24.8 |
43 | Vermont | 8.25 | 5.1 | 5 | 18.35 |
44 | Arizona | - | 4.8 | 11.975 | 16.775 |
Sufficient Data was not available from Washington, Oregon, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, Alaska and Washington D.C. Therefore, they are not ranked.
The backgroundchecks.org Research team identified a number of core issues that impact bullying and bullying behavior:
Each of these primary metrics are made up of a number of different measurements. The higher the score, the worse Bullying issues faced in the state:
Physical Bullying Incident Rate: This measures amounts of physical bullying that students indicated had happened to them, while on school property.
Electronic (Cyber) Bullying Rate: How often were students cyber-bullied.
Weapon Injury Rate: Rate of Injuries received from a weapon while at school.
School Fight Rate: Rate of involvement in fights at school.
Injury from Fight Rate: Rate of injury from those fights.
Fight on School Property Rate: Rate of fights at school.
Skipped School for Safety Rate: Rate of skipping school because they felt unsafe either at school or on the way there.
Sad or Hopeless Rate: How sad or hopeless students indicated they felt.
Suicide Planning, Attempts Rate: This is a combined measure of suicide attempts, thoughts of suicide, and suicide planning.
Does the State have laws for violence and bullying at school?
Do the State Laws Specifically address bullying or are they part of a broader framework?
Are Policies in place for bullying in public and private schools?
National Center for Education Statistics Fast Facts on Bullying
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System at the CDC