Retired in USA

Your golden years are your best years! Make them shine!

  • Home
  • Personal Finance
  • Retirement Life
  • Saving & Spending

These Are the 4 Most Depressed States in America

August 11, 2023 · Retirement Life
most depressed states
Image By Malachi Jacobs From Shutterstock

1. West Virginia

This state, such a picturesque place with all the mountains and natural wonders, is actually the most depressed state in the United States. But how is this possible? What makes people from West Virginia so sad and unhappy with their lives?

There are multiple reasons for this, but maybe the leading factor is the high poverty rate. People from the Mountain State have extremely low incomes and low education levels. This negatively affects the health and well-being of the individuals. How can you be happy when you don’t know what will happen in your life the next month?

The studies also revealed that women, young individuals, and those with less education had greater rates of depression. In contrast to men, who reported experiencing depression at a rate of just 13%, women reported it at a rate of 24%.

The folks from West Virginia grow up with a mentality based on fallacies. Children are raised to embrace a self-sufficient way of life, and they are told to “man up.” That’s how a lot of people in this state deal with anxiety, depression, and other mental issues. And this is probably why West Virginia is among the most depressed states. Actually the most depressed of them all.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Share this article

Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

6 comments on “These Are the 4 Most Depressed States in America”

  1. Marie c C Laguerre says:
    October 9, 2025 at 11:33 pm

    Hello, so what is the best state to retired? I’m curious. I ‘m planning to retire in Florida, any advice please

    Reply
  2. jerry1944 says:
    October 8, 2025 at 8:20 pm

    This sounds like a dem story that always FULL of LIES I would much rather be in one of the depressed states Well Tenn is pretty lib so i could leave that one out Who thinks of this Bull and expects ppl to believe them

    Reply
  3. Norma says:
    March 30, 2024 at 2:04 am

    The American Dream! Most cities and even small communities are blighted with crime and fentanyl addiction. The cost of living is sky rocketing. Americans are paying billions for a failed attempt at regime change in Russia, via a war in Ukraine, meanwhile the dollar is going South and poverty is exploding. Open borders allow hordes of undocumented illegals to stream in, including criminals and violent gang members. Their geriatric President is pushing the country towards nuclear war with Russia…and nobody it seems can get help with being totally depressed! If I were an American I´d be depressed too.

    Reply
  4. Kevin & Betsy Byrne says:
    March 28, 2024 at 9:20 pm

    My husband and I retired here in Bowling Green, Ky 17yrs ago and have never been happier! We live 5 min. from a state park and bought a canoe to watch sunsets on the lake. It’s gorgeous, people are sincerely very kind and help one another. There are as many shops here as there were in CA. and the healthcare is very good.
    We spent 47 yrs as native Californians. CA is a beautiful state but so over populated and more people than not are very calloused to other’s needs. The only reason that we go back is to see our adult son.
    The best thing a couple can do when they retire especially if they value their privacy, alot of adventures, sports and if you want great nightlife, Tennessee’s just not far. There is wonderful wildlife, as well as fantastic waterfalls. Ky is the best!

    Reply
  5. Michael says:
    March 28, 2024 at 2:25 am

    California the happiest state in America? I seriously doubt it. It has the most socialist controlling government, record crime in San Fran and LA, record homelessness, and has over a million illegals running free all over southern Cali. Over a million former Californians have left in the last 2 years looking to go somewhere, almost anywhere else. Most went to Texas looking for freedom. Your conclusions that places like Tennessee are less happy based on less available mental health care is flawed. Life is a little slower and there is much less stress in Tennessee and West Virginia for that matter. Yes wages are lower there than Cali or New Jersey, but so is the cost of living. There’s only 2 reasons I’d want to be in Cali., the weather and the beach, other than that, it sucks…..

    Reply
  6. shawn hazeleur says:
    March 27, 2024 at 5:28 pm

    Why would you take some of the happiest States and rank them as the most unhappy States? Your information is backwards. New York is most depressed State and on the verge of Collapse. California is Second most depressed State and on the verge of collapse. In fact, John Carpenters, Escape from New York and then Escape from L.A. is based on trues stories that hadn’t happened yet. They are happening now. People go to places like Tennessee because people are happy and the the left policies haven’t reached them and destroyed them.

    Reply
Se încarcă comentarii...

Nu mai există comentarii de afișat.

Search

Latest Posts

  • An older man sitting at his kitchen table under morning light, carefully reviewing his Social Security check and paper statements. 8 Signs Your Social Security Payment Was Miscalculated
  • A mature multi-ethnic couple reviews retirement documents together at a sunlit dining table in their home. 7 Social Security Rules for Non-Citizen Retirees
  • An older man sitting at a wooden table organizes medical documents and application papers in his warm, sunlit home. 8 Signs You Qualify for Expedited Social Security Processing
  • An ink and watercolor illustration of a winding path with signs for Age 62, Age 67, and Age 70, symbolizing retirement decisions. 9 Social Security Mistakes That Are Hard to Reverse
  • 7 Signs You Should Appeal a Social Security Decision 7 Signs You Should Appeal a Social Security Decision
  • A reflective woman in her early 60s sits in her sunlit living room, holding a ceramic mug and looking out the window. 8 Social Security Rules Divorced Spouses Often Miss
  • An ink and watercolor illustration of a magnifying glass over a Social Security statement, revealing a growing staircase of tree rings. 9 Signs Your Social Security Statement Underestimates Your Benefit
  • An older American couple sits on a sunlit European balcony overlooking the sea, planning their retirement journey together. 7 Social Security Rules That Change If You Live Abroad
  • An older woman sits thoughtfully at her dining table with documents and a warm mug, reflecting in soft afternoon light. 8 Signs You Should File for Social Security Survivor Benefits
  • An ink and watercolor illustration of a happy senior couple reviewing papers together at a cozy dining table. 8 Programs Offering Free Tax Help to Seniors Regardless of Income Level

Newsletter

Get retirement tips and senior living advice delivered to your inbox.

Related Articles

A retired couple walks through a desert landscape with tall Saguaro cacti under a vibrant orange and purple sunset sky.

9 Honest Pros and Cons of Retiring in Arizona That No One Talks About

Discover the true financial and lifestyle pros and cons of an Arizona retirement, from tax…

Read More →
A man in a kitchen looking at real estate listings while a for sale sign is visible through the window in the background.

8 Signs It May Be Time to Relocate

Discover the eight critical signs that indicate it is time to relocate during your retirement…

Read More →
A man works on a woodworking project in a well-lit workshop, surrounded by tools and materials.

From Golfer to Gardener: How to Choose the Right Retirement Hobby for You

Why a Retirement Hobby is More Than Just a Pastime It’s easy to dismiss a…

Read More →
A smiling older woman sits at a table with children, assisting them with schoolwork in a brightly lit library setting.

Volunteering in Retirement: 10 Opportunities to Make a Difference

A smiling senior man in a volunteer vest shares a joyful conversation, illustrating the social…

Read More →
A map of the United States highlighting several states, with icons indicating healthcare access and cost of living.

Evaluating the Best and Worst States for Healthcare Access for Seniors

Understanding Healthcare Access in Retirement Before we dive into state-by-state comparisons, we need to agree…

Read More →
month

Ways to Make An Extra $500 a Month in Retirement

Rent out your car If you already have assets that you don’t plan on selling…

Read More →
taxes

Curious About Big Taxes? Here’s How 8 States Tax Retirees

1. Colorado If you like the idea of living in the mountains, then you should…

Read More →
A man in a navy sweater looks at a retirement spreadsheet and travel brochures at his kitchen table in soft morning light.

10 Things No One Tells You About the First Year of Retirement

Discover the 10 unexpected financial, emotional, and lifestyle changes no one tells you about during…

Read More →
retirement

Overcoming 5 Huge Retirement Challenges

A senior man finds peace in a sunlit room, relaxing with his tablet among lush…

Read More →
Retired in USA

Your golden years are your best years! Make them shine!

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@ineditagency.com

Trust & Legal

  • Contact
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • FAQ
  • Subscribe
  • Unsubscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Privacy Policy

Categories

  • Enjoying Retirement
  • Personal Finance
  • Saving & Spending

© 2026 Retired in USA. All rights reserved.