In 2021, the federal state of New York had debt of around 19,318 U.S. dollars per capita, the most out of any state in the U.S. While not a state, the District of Columbia had an even higher per capita debt, at 29,756 U.S. dollars.
The total debt accrued by the U.S. annually can be accessed here, and outstanding debt by state here.
Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state
(in U.S. dollars)
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Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state
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Data includes short-term, long-term, full faith and credit, nonguaranteed, and public debt for private purposes.
Per capita figures were calculated by Statista using 2021 population data by the United States Census Bureau which can be found here.
Citation formats
Abigail Tierney
Research expert covering U.S. politics and economics
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US Census Bureau. (September 20, 2023). Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state (in U.S. dollars) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/312681/per-capita-us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
US Census Bureau. "Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state (in U.S. dollars)." Chart. September 20, 2023. Statista. Accessed April 28, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/312681/per-capita-us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
US Census Bureau. (2023). Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state (in U.S. dollars). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 28, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/312681/per-capita-us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
US Census Bureau. "Per Capita State and Local Government Debt Outstanding in The United States in 2021, by State (in U.S. Dollars)." Statista, Statista Inc., 20 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/312681/per-capita-us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
US Census Bureau, Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state (in U.S. dollars) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/312681/per-capita-us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/ (last visited April 28, 2025)
Per capita state and local government debt outstanding in the United States in 2021, by state (in U.S. dollars) [Graph], US Census Bureau, September 20, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/312681/per-capita-us-state-and-local-government-debt-outstanding-by-state/
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