Indiana Ranked Worst State for Pollution in U.S.

Indiana has earned the title of most polluted state in America, according to recent data.

Indiana Ranks 50th in Pollution and Natural Environment

According to U.S. News & World Report's annual Best States rankings for pollution and natural environment, the Hoosier State was ranked 50th overall. It lands at the bottom of the list largely due to poor scores in two critical metrics: low industrial toxins and low pollution health risk, where it ranked 48th in both.

Air and Water Quality Concerns for Hoosiers

Although it's no shock to anyone who lives in Indiana that we would rank as the worst for pollution. The American Lung Association says Hoosiers breathe in some of the most polluted air in the nation. Likewise, the waterways in Indiana are most polluted, too.

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On a national level, the “State of the Air” report found that 156 million people in the U.S. (46%) live in an area that received a failing grade for at least one measure of air pollution. 42.5 million people live in areas with failing grades for all three measures. - American Lung Association

The findings reinforce longstanding concerns about Indiana's industrial history and its impact on health and environmental quality. These rankings highlight the challenges ahead in creating a healthier, more sustainable future for Hoosier families.

Indiana’s Other Statewide Rankings

While the natural environment category was the lowest, Indiana scored highest in opportunity, coming in at 16th. Other placements included 19th in education, 20th in infrastructure, 21st in crime and corrections, 33rd in fiscal stability, 35th in healthcare, and 40th in economy.

Overall, Indiana ranked 33rd in the Best States list, which evaluates states based on eight categories: crime and corrections, economy, education, fiscal stability, healthcare, infrastructure, natural environment, and opportunity.