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Hot Dog and Hamburger Consumption by State

Hot Dog and Hamburger Consumption by State

According to one recent survey, pizza is our favorite thing to eat, followed by steak. Be that as it may, the definitive American foods — those that virtually define our national cuisine, and that are indelibly associated with summer — are hot dogs and hamburgers. (Both, incidentally, are among the foods you probably didn’t know were named after places — at least if we give dogs their more formal name, frankfurters.)

How much do we like burgers and dogs? We eat an estimated 50 billion burgers and 20 billion dogs per year — about 156 and 70 per person, respectively.

Chicago likes to call itself the hot dog capital of the world, but in fact Los Angeles consumes more wieners than any other city — about 31 million pounds annually — beating out second and third place New York and Philadelphia. Chicago is number five on the list.

During peak hot dog season, between Memorial Day and Labor Day, Americans eat a total of around 7 billion franks. According to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council, on the Fourth of July alone, 150 million dogs get consumed — enough to stretch between L.A. and Washington D.C. more than five times.

No comparable organization seems to track burger stats for Independence Day, but if roughly 140 million burgers are eaten per day, based on per capita consumption, and we eat two-and-a-half times as many burgers as dogs overall, that could mean that the burger tally is around 375 million burgers that day.

With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, it’s clearly time to fire up those grills. We’ve got a lot of eating to do — even if they are among the unhealthiest foods you can put in your body.

Source: Jonathanking / Wikimedia Commons

50. Vermont
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $134
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 245 (14th highest)
> Population, 2017: 623,657

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

49. New Hampshire
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $135
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 176 (4th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,342,795

Source: bluebeat76 / Getty Images

48. New Jersey
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $176
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 181 (7th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 250 (12th highest)
> Population, 2017: 9,005,644

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

47. Massachusetts
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $177
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 179 (5th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 6,859,819

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

46. Maine
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $188
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 184 (8th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 260 (9th highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,335,907

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

45. Pennsylvania
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $192
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 181 (7th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 289 (3rd highest)
> Population, 2017: 12,805,537

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

44. Connecticut
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $197
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 195 (12th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 260 (9th highest)
> Population, 2017: 3,588,184

Source: TomasSereda / Getty Images

43. New York
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $218
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 19,849,399

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

42. Rhode Island
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $218
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,059,639

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

41. Maryland
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $235
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 173 (2nd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 6,052,177

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

40. Florida
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $247
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 212 (23rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 20,984,400

Source: KudicM / Getty Images

39. Iowa
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $248
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,145,711

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

38. Delaware
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $251
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 176 (4th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 250 (12th highest)
> Population, 2017: 961,939

Source: vkbhat / Getty Images

37. Idaho
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $257
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 1,716,943

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

36. North Dakota
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $261
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 213 (22nd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 183 (5th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 755,393

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

35. South Dakota
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $261
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 869,666

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

34. Arizona
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $263
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 7,016,270

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

33. Georgia
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $268
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 226 (20th highest)
> Population, 2017: 10,429,379

Source: johnnya123 / Getty Images

32. Utah
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $269
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,101,833

Source: choness / Getty Images

31. California
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $272
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 264 (3rd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 39,536,653

Source: AndreyKrav / Getty Images

30. Minnesota
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $273
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 216 (23rd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 5,576,606

Source: Pung / Shutterstock.com

29. Washington
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $274
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 256 (5th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 7,405,743

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

28. Virginia
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $275
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 197 (14th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 236 (18th highest)
> Population, 2017: 8,470,020

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

27. North Carolina
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $279
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 10,273,419

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

26. Colorado
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $284
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 237 (12th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 5,607,154

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

25. Michigan
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $287
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 224 (20th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 245 (14th highest)
> Population, 2017: 9,962,311

Source: Ron_Thomas / Getty Images

24. Wisconsin
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $288
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 208 (20th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 5,795,483

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

23. South Carolina
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $290
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 203 (19th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 279 (4th highest)
> Population, 2017: 5,024,369

Source: ivanastar / Getty Images

22. New Mexico
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $298
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,088,070

Source: DavidByronKeener / Getty Images

21. West Virginia
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $302
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 171 (the lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 481 (the highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,815,857

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

20. Louisiana
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $303
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 203 (19th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 183 (5th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 4,684,333

Source: lhongfoto / Getty Images

19. Illinois
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $304
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 213 (22nd lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 317 (2nd highest)
> Population, 2017: 12,802,023

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

18. Alabama
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $309
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 197 (14th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 255 (11th highest)
> Population, 2017: 4,874,747

Source: fotoguy22 / Getty Images

17. Ohio
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $309
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 264 (8th highest)
> Population, 2017: 11,658,609

Source: photoquest7 / Getty Images

16. Nevada
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $310
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 267 (the highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 216 (25th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,998,039

Source: sorincolac / Getty Images

15. Alaska
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $313
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 207 (21st lowest)
> Population, 2017: 739,795

Source: Png-Studio / iStock

14. Oregon
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $319
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 253 (6th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 188 (8th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 4,142,776

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

13. Indiana
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $321
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 192 (11th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 240 (16th highest)
> Population, 2017: 6,666,818

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

12. Montana
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $327
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 232 (14th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 178 (3rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 1,050,493

Source: f11photo / Getty Images

11. Missouri
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $327
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 229 (15th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 216 (25th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 6,113,532

Source: RudyBalasko / Getty Images

10. Kansas
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $331
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 237 (12th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 197 (16th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,913,123

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / Getty Images

9. Mississippi
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $332
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 200 (17th lowest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 178 (3rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 2,984,100

Source: ChrisBoswell / Getty Images

8. Nebraska
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $337
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 248 (9th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 226 (20th highest)
> Population, 2017: 1,920,076

Source: SeanXu / Getty Images

7. Wyoming
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $342
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 251 (7th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 149 (the lowest)
> Population, 2017: 579,315

Source: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto / Getty Images

6. Texas
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $344
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 264 (3rd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 28,304,596

Source: Davel5957 / Getty Images

5. Oklahoma
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $350
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 267 (the highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 212 (23rd lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,930,864

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

4. Tennessee
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $354
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 224 (20th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 231 (19th highest)
> Population, 2017: 6,715,984

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

3. Arkansas
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $360
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 219 (24th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 192 (12th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 3,004,279

Source: Sean Pavone / Getty Images

2. Kentucky
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $361
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 221 (22nd highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 240 (16th highest)
> Population, 2017: 4,454,189

Source: ademyan / Getty Images

1. Hawaii
> Total sales per state resident at burger & hotdog restaurants: $379
> Estimated hamburgers eaten per capita annually: 251 (7th highest)
> Estimated hot dogs eaten per capita annually: 202 (17th lowest)
> Population, 2017: 1,427,538

Methodology

To determine hot dog and hamburger consumption by state, 24/7 Tempo constructed an estimate based on data from Google Trends, the U.S. Census Bureau, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

First, data on sales at full- and limited-service restaurants classified as having a principal menu type as “hamburgers” from the Census Bureau’s 2012 Economic Census was adjusted for population using data from the Census Bureau’s 2012 American Community Survey.

Total sales at hamburger restaurants per capita were then converted to number of hamburger and hot dog units sold using $3.14 as the price of an average restaurant hamburger and $2.00 as the price of an average hot dog. The percentage of sales attributable to either hamburgers or hot dogs in each state was based on Google Trends data comparing the search popularity of the term “hamburger” to the search popularity for the term “hot dog” in each state.

To estimate the number of hamburgers and hot dogs consumed at home in addition to at restaurants, the estimated number of hamburgers and hot dogs consumed at restaurants per capita was adjusted by the ratio of U.S. food sales at full- and limited-service restaurants to total U.S. food sales at and away from home with data from the USDA.

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