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States Where People Are Volunteering the Most

States Where People Are Volunteering the Most

It has been said that volunteering is essential for a healthy civil society and that it plays a larger part in American life than in many other countries. There’s more to volunteering than altruism. “Doing well by doing good” is a well known expression, and volunteering may help individuals build their social networks and bolster their resumes. (This is how Americans spend their time.)

To determine the states volunteering the most, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the report “Volunteering in America” from AmeriCorps. States were ranked based on the percentage of residents who volunteered their time in the last year. Other data is also from the report. 

The No. 1 state for volunteering is Utah, where more than half of residents volunteered in the last year for a total of almost 140 million hours. Meanwhile, more than two-thirds of residents donated at least $25 to charity. These figures reflect the ethos of Mormon volunteerism in a state where more than 60% of residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day States. 

Utah is followed by Minnesota, where slightly more than 45% of residents volunteered for a total of 137 million hours. 

At the other end of the list is Florida, where fewer than 23% of residents volunteered. That may reflect the transient nature of some communities, as many residents of other states and countries spend winters in Florida. (The Sunshine state also attracts many retirees. See where it ranks among the best and worst states for retirees.)

Not far behind Florida is Mississippi, where fewer than 24% volunteered. 

Source: GabrielPevide / E+ via Getty Images

50. Florida
> Pct. who volunteer: 22.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 340.7 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $8.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 43.2%

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

49. Mississippi
> Pct. who volunteer: 23.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 40.7 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $983.9 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 46.4%

Source: 4kodiak / iStock via Getty Images

48. Nevada
> Pct. who volunteer: 24.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 78.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.8 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 45.6%

Source: TomasSereda / iStock via Getty Images

47. New York
> Pct. who volunteer: 25.3%
> Total hours volunteered: 295.4 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $7.1 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 48.4%

Source: DutcherAerials / E+ via Getty Images

46. California
> Pct. who volunteer: 25.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 688.6 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $16.6 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 47.0%

Source: felixmizioznikov / iStock via Getty Images

45. Louisiana
> Pct. who volunteer: 25.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 81.1 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.9 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 45.3%

Source: OlegAlbinsky / E+ via Getty Images

44. New Jersey
> Pct. who volunteer: 26.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 162.7 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.9 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.8%

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

43. Georgia
> Pct. who volunteer: 26.5%
> Total hours volunteered: 187.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.5 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 46.0%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

42. New Mexico
> Pct. who volunteer: 27.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 41.1 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $994.3 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 44.1%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

41. Alabama
> Pct. who volunteer: 27.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 84.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $2.0 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 49.9%

Source: okimo / iStock via Getty Images

40. Hawaii
> Pct. who volunteer: 28.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 29.1 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $702.6 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 50.5%

Source: JaySi / iStock via Getty Images

37. Illinois
> Pct. who volunteer: 28.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 206.5 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.9 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.1%

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

37. Kentucky
> Pct. who volunteer: 28.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 96.6 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $2.3 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 50.9%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

37. West Virginia
> Pct. who volunteer: 28.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 36.8 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $888.4 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 48.4%

Source: Barbara Smyers / iStock via Getty Images

36. Texas
> Pct. who volunteer: 28.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 563.3 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $13.5 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 49.3%

Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images

35. Michigan
> Pct. who volunteer: 29.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 185.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.4 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 49.3%

Source: Davel5957 / iStock via Getty Images

33. Arizona
> Pct. who volunteer: 30.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 160.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.8 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 52.0%

Source: Aneese / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

33. Arkansas
> Pct. who volunteer: 30.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 72.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.7 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 48.9%

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

32. Rhode Island
> Pct. who volunteer: 30.7%
> Total hours volunteered: 22.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $532.3 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 60.6%

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

31. South Carolina
> Pct. who volunteer: 30.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 109.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $2.6 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 51.8%

Source: Kruck20 / iStock via Getty Images

30. Tennessee
> Pct. who volunteer: 31.3%
> Total hours volunteered: 137.7 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.3 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 56.8%

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

28. Connecticut
> Pct. who volunteer: 31.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 71.5 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.7 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 53.0%

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

28. Delaware
> Pct. who volunteer: 31.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 24.4 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $589.4 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 61.5%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

27. Missouri
> Pct. who volunteer: 31.9%
> Total hours volunteered: 133.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.2%

Source: Majestic_Aerials / iStock via Getty Images

26. Oklahoma
> Pct. who volunteer: 32.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 94.5 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $2.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 53.8%

Source: marekuliasz / iStock via Getty Images

25. Colorado
> Pct. who volunteer: 32.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 121.8 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $2.9 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.5%

Source: zrfphoto / iStock via Getty Images

24. Massachusetts
> Pct. who volunteer: 32.6%
> Total hours volunteered: 141.3 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.4 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 58.0%

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

23. Wyoming
> Pct. who volunteer: 32.7%
> Total hours volunteered: 13.2 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $320.2 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 47.2%

Source: pawel.gaul / E+ via Getty Images

22. Ohio
> Pct. who volunteer: 33.2%
> Total hours volunteered: 278.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $6.7 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 59.3%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

21. Virginia
> Pct. who volunteer: 34.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 231.7 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $5.5 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 52.5%

Source: Joecho-16 / iStock via Getty Images

20. Pennsylvania
> Pct. who volunteer: 34.2%
> Total hours volunteered: 341.0 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $8.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 59.8%

Source: f11photo / iStock via Getty Images

19. Indiana
> Pct. who volunteer: 34.9%
> Total hours volunteered: 166.5 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.0 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 54.5%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

18. North Carolina
> Pct. who volunteer: 35.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 265.3 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $6.4 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 54.7%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

16. New Hampshire
> Pct. who volunteer: 35.7%
> Total hours volunteered: 36.6 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $884.4 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 65.6%

Source: aiisha5 / iStock via Getty Images

16. Washington
> Pct. who volunteer: 35.7%
> Total hours volunteered: 202.2 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.8 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.7%

Source: SeanPavonePhoto / iStock via Getty Images

15. Vermont
> Pct. who volunteer: 36.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 16.1 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $390.1 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 53.6%

Source: Matthew Van Dyke / iStock via Getty Images

13. Maryland
> Pct. who volunteer: 36.3%
> Total hours volunteered: 181.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.3 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 58.3%

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

13. South Dakota
> Pct. who volunteer: 36.3%
> Total hours volunteered: 18.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $457.8 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 52.2%

Source: walencienne / iStock via Getty Images

12. Kansas
> Pct. who volunteer: 36.5%
> Total hours volunteered: 61.1 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.4 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 65.1%

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

10. North Dakota
> Pct. who volunteer: 37.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 15.6 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $377.8 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 62.6%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

10. Wisconsin
> Pct. who volunteer: 37.4%
> Total hours volunteered: 164.3 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.9 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 57.1%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

9. Idaho
> Pct. who volunteer: 37.9%
> Total hours volunteered: 48.6 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.1 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.5%

Source: ChrisBoswell / iStock via Getty Images

8. Maine
> Pct. who volunteer: 38.7%
> Total hours volunteered: 39.2 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $947.6 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 55.6%

Source: peeterv / iStock via Getty Images

7. Montana
> Pct. who volunteer: 38.8%
> Total hours volunteered: 28.8 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $696.2 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 53.5%

Source: Jacob Boomsma / iStock via Getty Images

6. Nebraska
> Pct. who volunteer: 40.2%
> Total hours volunteered: 53.8 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 58.8%

Source: John Pennell / iStock via Getty Images

5. Alaska
> Pct. who volunteer: 40.6%
> Total hours volunteered: 24.6 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $594.7 million
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 54.9%

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

4. Iowa
> Pct. who volunteer: 41.5%
> Total hours volunteered: 56.2 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $1.3 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 53.5%

Source: Sean Pavone / iStock via Getty Images

3. Oregon
> Pct. who volunteer: 43.2%
> Total hours volunteered: 177.7 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $4.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 62.2%

Source: pabradyphoto / iStock via Getty Images

2. Minnesota
> Pct. who volunteer: 45.1%
> Total hours volunteered: 137.2 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.3 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 64.7%

Source: DenisTangneyJr / E+ via Getty Images

1. Utah
> Pct. who volunteer: 51.0%
> Total hours volunteered: 133.9 million
> Value of volunteer hours: $3.2 billion
> Pct. who donated at least $25 to charity last year: 66.9%

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