What does this earthquake risk ranking show?

It orders states by Earthquake risk. It is a comparison of this one published measure, not an overall ranking of where to live.

Where do these figures come from?

FEMA National Risk Index 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.

Rankings · Risk

The states with the least earthquake risk

Earthquake risk.

FEMA National Risk Index percentile, 0-100. Reflects both ground-shaking likelihood and what is exposed to it, so a populated fault zone scores higher than empty land with the same geology.

How to read this ranking

North Dakota has the lowest published earthquake risk in this comparison, at 15.0. The next states shown are Minnesota (22.5) and South Dakota (29.8).

The table orders 51 states by earthquake risk. 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. FEMA National Risk Index percentile, 0-100. Reflects both ground-shaking likelihood and what is exposed to it, so a populated fault zone scores higher than empty land with the same geology.

1North Dakota15.0
2Minnesota22.5
3South Dakota29.8
4Nebraska34.0
5Iowa38.0
6Wisconsin42.0
7West Virginia49.6
8Kansas52.5
9Florida54.8
10Vermont57.4
11Louisiana65.0
12Texas65.2
13Michigan66.6
14Wyoming70.3
15Maine71.3
16Oklahoma71.7
17Virginia72.1
18Montana72.7
19Mississippi73.5
20Ohio74.5
21Kentucky75.2
22Colorado75.8
23Idaho75.8
24North Carolina77.7
25New Mexico77.7
26New Hampshire78.2
27Indiana78.9
28Georgia79.0
29Pennsylvania79.6
30Missouri79.9
31Rhode Island80.4
32Alabama82.0
33Maryland82.9
34Arkansas85.8
35New York87.5
36Connecticut87.8
37Delaware87.8
38Illinois89.4
39Tennessee90.2
40South Carolina90.3
41Massachusetts90.6
42Alaska90.9
43New Jersey92.3
44Arizona92.4
45Utah93.7
46Hawaii95.7
47Oregon95.8
48Washington95.9
49Nevada98.0
50District of Columbia98.3
51California99.3

Related risk rankings

Frequently asked questions

What does this ranking show?: It orders states by Earthquake risk. It is one measure, not an overall verdict on where to live.
Where do the figures come from?: FEMA National Risk Index. 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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<iframe src="https://movermath.com/embed/earthquake-risk" width="100%" height="420" style="border:0" loading="lazy" title="Earthquake risk by state"></iframe>

Source: FEMA National Risk Index. · How this is built

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