Talented female comedians are making audiences laugh out loud across America. Though historic comedy scenes like the Hollywood Improv in L.A., the Comedy Store in West Hollywood, the Comedy Cellar in New York City, and the Second City in Chicago have traditionally been dominated by men, women are increasingly claiming the spotlight at venues nationwide. (If you prefer your humor televised, these are the most popular TV comedies according to IMDb.)
Preferences in everything from food to fashion to football teams varies from region to region and state to state in America, so it’s no surprise that some female comedians are more popular than others in certain places. One sure way of judging popularity is by tracking which performers draw the biggest audiences. To compile a list of the top-selling female comedians in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed information from Vivid Seats, a ticket exchange and resale company.
The strong association of certain comedians with specific regions suggests that their comedic style and/or subject matter resonates particularly strongly with certain audiences. For example, Leanne Morgan, who is originally from Tennessee, proves to be a favorite in multiple Southern states. Renowned for her magnetic Southern charm and hilarious storytelling, she captivates audiences with tales from her own life.
Morgan is the most popular woman on this list overall, ranking as the favorite in 14 states, Amy Schumer, who frequently uses self-deprecating humor to connect with her audience, comes next in 12 states while Iliza Shlesinger, known for vivid storytelling punctuated with humorous anecdotes rules in 10. (Schumer ranks as one of the most famous TV personalities in America.)
While tastes differ state to state, one thing’s for sure: Funny women nationwide are proving that in the world of stand-up, females can hold their own on any stage. Audiences won’t stop laughing and cheering anytime soon.
Alabama
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Alaska
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Arizona
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Arkansas
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
California
> Comedian: Ali Wong
> Originally from: San Francisco, California
Colorado
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Connecticut
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Delaware
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Florida
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Georgia
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Hawaii
> Comedian: Ali Wong
> Originally from: San Francisco, California
Idaho
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
Illinois
> Comedian: Tina Fey
> Originally from: Upper Darby, Pennsylvania
Indiana
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Iowa
> Comedian: Chelsea Handler
> Originally from: Livingston, New Jersey
Kansas
> Comedian: Taylor Tomlinson
> Originally from: Orange County, California
Kentucky
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Louisiana
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Maine
> Comedian: Nikki Glaser
> Originally from: Cincinnati, Ohio
Maryland
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
Massachusetts
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Michigan
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Minnesota
> Comedian: Taylor Tomlinson
> Originally from: Orange County, California
Mississippi
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Missouri
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
Montana
> Comedian: Paula Poundstone
> Originally from: Huntsville, Alabama
Nebraska
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Nevada
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
New Hampshire
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
New Jersey
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
New Mexico
> Comedian: Anjelah Johnson
> Originally from: San Jose, California
New York
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
North Carolina
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
North Dakota
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
Ohio
> Comedian: Taylor Tomlinson
> Originally from: Orange County, California
Oklahoma
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Oregon
> Comedian: Chelsea Handler
> Originally from: Livingston, New Jersey
Pennsylvania
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Rhode Island
> Comedian: Taylor Tomlinson
> Originally from: Orange County, California
South Carolina
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
South Dakota
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Tennessee
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Texas
> Comedian: Anjelah Johnson
> Originally from: San Jose, California
Utah
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
Vermont
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
Virginia
> Comedian: Taylor Tomlinson
> Originally from: Orange County, California
Washington
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York
West Virginia
> Comedian: Leanne Morgan
> Originally from: Adams, Tennessee
Wisconsin
> Comedian: Amy Schumer
> Originally from: New York, New York
Wyoming
> Comedian: Iliza Shlesinger
> Originally from: New York, New York