05/08/2024

The 18 Most Corrupt States in the US, According to 2024 Data

Sadly, even in 2024, many states in America are quite corrupt. But have you ever wondered which ones are the most corrupt? Today, we’re looking at 18 of them, using data from the States With Anti-Corruption Measures for Public Officials (SWAMP) Index Scores and FTE Convictions.

Wyoming

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This data is from a World Population Index study. Wyoming might not be the first place you’d think of when talking about corruption, but here we are. The state has a SWAMP Index Score of 19.57 for 2020, which is pretty serious given its small population. The state also ranked 26th per capita in corruption convictions in 2015.

Idaho

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Idaho has some pretty consistent numbers, as its SWAMP Index increased just a little from 2018 to 2020, sitting at 21.24. Corruption convictions aren’t too high, ranking 39th per capita. It seems as though they’re keeping things under control without too much fuss, although it’s always good to keep an eye on the road ahead.

Arizona

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Arizona certainly has a story to tell, as it scored a high 94.82 on the Best Life scale, but its SWAMP Index is also up there at 28.81. Even so, its conviction rank is 38th per capita, suggesting that life’s pretty good. Sadly, there are some serious issues, and there have been several high-profile allegations of bribery.

Michigan

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Michigan’s SWAMP Index hit 29.18 in 2020, yet it’s ranked 32nd in corruption convictions per capita. It looks like there’s more to the story here, and the state might need to work a little harder to find out what’s causing the issue. The state has made some efforts to fix these corruption issues with things like the BRITE Act.

Utah

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Utah’s SWAMP score rose to 31.57 in 2020. With such a high quality of life, you’d hope for lower numbers, but it seems they’ve got some issues to iron out. The state also ranks 48th in convictions. There’s definitely a need for closer monitoring and perhaps some changes in policy to address these concerns more effectively.

Virginia

With a SWAMP Index of 32.79, you’d expect more drama in Virginia, but it’s actually doing pretty well. They rank 16th in conviction rates, which suggests they’re managing to keep their house in order better than many others. This could be due to more effective law enforcement and judicial processes.

Georgia

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Georgia’s got its work cut out with a SWAMP Index rising to 35.75. That’s a bit worrying, but with a conviction rank of 25th, they’re at least trying to clamp down on corruption. The state is actively working to address these challenges, but it seems the pace of growth in corruption might be more than their current measures can handle.

Indiana

Indiana’s in the middle, with a SWAMP Index of 36.6 and a 33rd rank in convictions. This shows some consistency issues that need ongoing attention. Although it’s not at crisis levels, these issues still seem pretty serious, and the state might need to review its current anti-corruption strategies. It may even need stronger enforcement.

North Carolina

North Carolina has a SWAMP Index of 38.51 and a surprisingly low rank of 41st in convictions. The gap could mean that many crimes here either go unreported or aren’t seen as severe enough for federal action. They might need to take more proactive measures, especially since the majority of people here are worried about corruption.

Oregon

Oregon seems pretty peaceful, with a SWAMP Index of 38.81, but it also has the lowest federal conviction, with a ranking of 50th. The people are worried about oversight and enforcement, both at the state and local levels. Of course, it’s also possible that the data doesn’t fully capture the state’s efforts against corruption.

Vermont

Vermont has a perfect 100 Best Life score, and it seems almost too good to be true. Sadly, it has a SWAMP Index of 39.64 and a 42nd rank in convictions, which raises questions about whether all issues are coming to light. Even with its peaceful image, it’s clear that Vermont officials need to make sure they’re addressing all the hidden issues.

South Dakota

South Dakota might not score high on life metrics, but with a SWAMP Index of 40.6 and a conviction rank of 4th, it’s keeping things cleaner than you might expect. Clearly, the government cares a lot about integrity and transparency. This shows that even smaller states can lead the way in maintaining strong ethical standards.

Mississippi

Mississippi is in a tough spot with a high SWAMP Index of 42.14 and its ranking of second in conviction rates. Even with these challenges, the state isn’t shying away from the fight against corruption. It’s a difficult task, but Mississippi is showing that it’s not backing down from it anytime soon.

North Dakota

North Dakota’s SWAMP Index may be high at 42.71, but with a conviction rank of 5th, they are not letting things slide. This approach is worth praising because it shows they care about cleaning up their act. The state is really putting in the work to ensure that their government is as transparent and honest as possible.

Delaware

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Delaware is in the middle, with a SWAMP Index of 43.93 and a conviction rank of 19th. It’s handling things relatively well, and it’s able to keep corruption at bay without being too aggressive. It’s doing enough to keep things under control so that corruption doesn’t affect people’s trust in the government.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s SWAMP Index is quite high at 45.65, and they rank 31st in convictions. The state might need to work a little harder to address the issues that continue to drive these numbers. It’s important for the state’s overall health that they improve their approach to fighting corruption, or else who knows what might happen.

Alabama

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Alabama has a high SWAMP Index of 46.31 and ranks 7th in convictions. The state seems to be taking a no-nonsense approach to corruption, reacting to incidents as they occur and looking for potential breaches of trust. This helps Alabama move forward without the corruption slowing it down.

Louisiana

Louisiana has one of the highest SWAMP Indexes at 46.9, and it’s leading the charge with the highest conviction rank, too. Louisiana has taken quite an aggressive approach to tackling corruption, which shows they’re serious about reform. This isn’t a state that’s going to tolerate unethical behavior.