What does this elevation ranking show?

It orders states by Elevation at county population center. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP) supplies this measure. States without a comparable published value are shown as not ranked rather than estimated.

How should I use this ranking?

Use it to narrow a search, then open a state or county profile for the underlying figures, source dates and caveats. A statewide number may not describe every neighbourhood.

Highest elevation by state

Elevation at county population center.

This measure has no better end. The order describes the states, it does not rank them — see the other direction.

Elevation in feet at the county’s population-weighted center, not a county mean. USGS returns the national elevation model in meters; values shown here are converted to feet for a U.S. relocation audience. A large or mountainous county can vary greatly away from where most residents live.

How to read this ranking

Colorado has the highest published elevation in this comparison, at 5,678 ft. The next states shown are Wyoming (5,635 ft) and New Mexico (5,102 ft).

The table orders 51 states by elevation at county population center. It describes one published measure, not an overall judgment about where to live.

Use the result as a starting point, then compare the underlying source, dates, and local county figures before making a decision. Elevation in feet at the county’s population-weighted center, not a county mean. USGS returns the national elevation model in meters; values shown here are converted to feet for a U.S. relocation audience. A large or mountainous county can vary greatly away from where most residents live.

1Colorado5,678 ft
2Wyoming5,635 ft
3New Mexico5,102 ft
4Utah4,412 ft
5Montana3,675 ft
6Idaho3,236 ft
7Nevada2,707 ft
8South Dakota1,970 ft
9Arizona1,806 ft
10Nebraska1,490 ft
11North Dakota1,457 ft
12Kansas1,249 ft
13West Virginia1,156 ft
14Minnesota1,014 ft
15Hawaii1,014 ft
16Oklahoma987 ft
17Iowa938 ft
18Wisconsin848 ft
19Ohio823 ft
20Missouri804 ft
21Tennessee765 ft
22Michigan762 ft
23Oregon751 ft
24Kentucky748 ft
25Georgia746 ft
26Indiana727 ft
27Vermont713 ft
28Texas677 ft
29Illinois652 ft
30Pennsylvania650 ft
31North Carolina645 ft
32Arkansas602 ft
33Washington529 ft
34California523 ft
35Alabama500 ft
36Virginia463 ft
37New Hampshire421 ft
38South Carolina409 ft
39New York294 ft
40Alaska294 ft
41Maryland278 ft
42Mississippi269 ft
43Maine246 ft
44Connecticut198 ft
45Massachusetts177 ft
46Rhode Island140 ft
47New Jersey137 ft
48District of Columbia69 ft
49Louisiana64 ft
50Florida43 ft
51Delaware20 ft

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Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Elevation at county population center. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). States without a comparable published figure are listed as not ranked rather than estimated.
How should I use it?: Use it to narrow your search, then open a state or county profile for the source date, caveats and local context.

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Free to use. The chart names its source and links back, so it stays honest wherever it ends up.

<iframe src="https://movermath.com/embed/elevation" width="100%" height="420" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Elevation at county population center by state"></iframe>

Source: USGS 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). · How this is built

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