This US City Leads the Nation in STD Rates

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), also referred to as sexually transmitted infections, have been around since ancient times, first described in the ancient medical text Ebers Papyrus, a compilation of medical texts that date back to around 1550 BCE. In the almost 5,000 years since then, STDs are more rampant than ever and are currently on the rise not only in the United States but globally.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), over one million curable STIs are acquired daily, and per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2022 the U.S. saw 2.5 million cases of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Despite medical technology advancements, certain STDs continue to rise in many areas. Most are preventable, yet one significant challenge is the asymptomatic factor which causes many of those infected to be symptom-free.

The most commonly reported STD in the U.S. is chlamydia, a disease that often has no symptoms, which is why the majority of those infected are unaware. According to the CDC, over 1.6 million cases of chlamydia were reported in 2022. Knowing the cities with the highest STD rates can help identify issues with education and access to preventative measures. (Check out the city with the unhealthiest residents in each state.)

Methodology

To determine the city that leads the nation in STD rates, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on chlamydia incidence from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Metropolitan statistical areas were ranked based on the number of diagnosed cases of chlamydia – the most common STI, and an indicator of overall STI prevalence – per 100,000 residents. Data on population came from the U.S. Census Bureau's Population and Housing Unit Estimates program.

Data was aggregated from the county level to the metropolitan statistical area level using boundary definitions from the Census Bureau. Supplemental data on the percentage of adults 25 years and over with at least a high school diploma came from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 American Community Survey and are one-year estimates. Data on the percentage of adults 18 and over who report binge or heavy drinking came from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program and is based on data for 2021.

50. Anchorage, AK

Chlamydia cases: 683.2 per 100,000 residents (2,736 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 93.6%
Total population: 400,455

49. Tuscaloosa, AL

Chlamydia cases: 688.7 per 100,000 residents (1,911 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.8%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 90.6%
Total population: 277,490

48. Spartanburg, SC

Chlamydia cases: 691.5 per 100,000 residents (2,577 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 88.5%
Total population: 372,687

47. Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Chlamydia cases: 697.8 per 100,000 residents (4,354 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.6%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.4%
Total population: 623,985

46. Farmington, NM

Chlamydia cases: 702.5 per 100,000 residents (847 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 12.8%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 85.3%
Total population: 120,569

45. Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR

Chlamydia cases: 704.3 per 100,000 residents (5,337 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.0%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.7%
Total population: 757,768

44. Vineland, NJ

Chlamydia cases: 705.0 per 100,000 residents (1,067 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.1%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 82.1%
Total population: 151,347

43. Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI

Chlamydia cases: 713.8 per 100,000 residents (1,253 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.8%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.4%
Total population: 175,539

42. Hinesville, GA

Chlamydia cases: 728.7 per 100,000 residents (629 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 91.5%
Total population: 86,314

41. Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA

Chlamydia cases: 730.6 per 100,000 residents (1,464 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.7%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 83.2%
Total population: 200,383

40. Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI

Chlamydia cases: 733.6 per 100,000 residents (11,438 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 23.8%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 93.2%
Total population: 1,559,128

39. Killeen-Temple, TX

Chlamydia cases: 737.2 per 100,000 residents (3,645 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.1%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.5%
Total population: 494,449

38. Texarkana, TX-AR

Chlamydia cases: 739.5 per 100,000 residents (1,081 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.2%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 90.1%
Total population: 146,185

37. Manhattan, KS

Chlamydia cases: 743.7 per 100,000 residents (992 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 22.1%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 95.1%
Total population: 133,384

36. Hattiesburg, MS

Chlamydia cases: 745.9 per 100,000 residents (1,157 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.0%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 91.6%
Total population: 155,120

35. Warner Robins, GA

Chlamydia cases: 746.5 per 100,000 residents (1,480 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.6%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.5%
Total population: 198,261

34. Fairbanks-College, AK

Chlamydia cases: 748.9 per 100,000 residents (713 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 22.0%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 93.6%
Total population: 95,202

33. Yakima, WA

Chlamydia cases: 753.3 per 100,000 residents (1,936 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.0%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 80.3%
Total population: 257,019

32. Mobile, AL

Chlamydia cases: 758.1 per 100,000 residents (3,119 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.2%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.4%
Total population: 411,398

31. Lawton, OK

Chlamydia cases: 771.5 per 100,000 residents (985 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 91.2%
Total population: 127,674

30. Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Chlamydia cases: 775.2 per 100,000 residents (13,840 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.3%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.4%
Total population: 1,785,390

29. Decatur, AL

Chlamydia cases: 778.2 per 100,000 residents (1,225 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 14.4%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 86.2%
Total population: 157,418

28. Lubbock, TX

Chlamydia cases: 786.7 per 100,000 residents (2,807 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.5%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.2%
Total population: 356,789

27. Jonesboro, AR

Chlamydia cases: 787.0 per 100,000 residents (1,065 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 14.2%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 90.1%
Total population: 135,316

26. Shreveport-Bossier City, LA

Chlamydia cases: 790.5 per 100,000 residents (3,043 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.7%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.1%
Total population: 384,943

25. Savannah, GA

Chlamydia cases: 794.2 per 100,000 residents (3,322 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.1%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 90.8%
Total population: 418,277

24. Clarksville, TN-KY

Chlamydia cases: 795.8 per 100,000 residents (2,670 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.6%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 93.1%
Total population: 335,527

23. Goldsboro, NC

Chlamydia cases: 813.1 per 100,000 residents (955 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.5%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 84.6%
Total population: 117,449

22. Columbus, GA-AL

Chlamydia cases: 819.6 per 100,000 residents (2,654 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.4%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 88.9%
Total population: 323,826

21. Columbia, SC

Chlamydia cases: 824.3 per 100,000 residents (6,991 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.4%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.2%
Total population: 848,112

20. Gainesville, FL

Chlamydia cases: 833.2 per 100,000 residents (2,902 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 17.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.4%
Total population: 348,296

19. Baton Rouge, LA

Chlamydia cases: 870.1 per 100,000 residents (7,590 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.1%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.1%
Total population: 872,347

18. Monroe, LA

Chlamydia cases: 874.1 per 100,000 residents (1,946 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.2%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 86.1%
Total population: 222,631

17. New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Chlamydia cases: 875.4 per 100,000 residents (8,521 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 19.3%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.1%
Total population: 973,385

16. Jacksonville, NC

Chlamydia cases: 875.5 per 100,000 residents (1,830 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 20.4%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.2%
Total population: 209,031

15. Alexandria, LA

Chlamydia cases: 887.5 per 100,000 residents (1,323 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 16.8%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 86.5%
Total population: 149,068

14. Jackson, MS

Chlamydia cases: 893.7 per 100,000 residents (5,458 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 13.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.1%
Total population: 610,703

13. Montgomery, AL

Chlamydia cases: 899.3 per 100,000 residents (3,466 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 14.7%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.8%
Total population: 385,410

12. Valdosta, GA

Chlamydia cases: 906.1 per 100,000 residents (1,356 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.7%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 88.5%
Total population: 149,646

11. Florence, SC

Chlamydia cases: 926.3 per 100,000 residents (1,845 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.1%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 88.3%
Total population: 199,176

10. Decatur, IL

Chlamydia cases: 933.6 per 100,000 residents (946 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 95.2%
Total population: 101,333

9. Hammond, LA

Chlamydia cases: 948.1 per 100,000 residents (1,297 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.6%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 85.0%
Total population: 136,799

8. Macon-Bibb County, GA

Chlamydia cases: 961.7 per 100,000 residents (2,250 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 14.4%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 87.3%
Total population: 233,952

7. Memphis, TN-MS-AR

Chlamydia cases: 980.2 per 100,000 residents (13,122 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.2%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 90.4%
Total population: 1,338,667

6. Albany, GA

Chlamydia cases: 991.8 per 100,000 residents (1,446 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 14.5%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 89.0%
Total population: 145,796

5. Rocky Mount, NC

Chlamydia cases: 1,024.9 per 100,000 residents (1,478 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.2%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 83.1%
Total population: 144,209

4. Tallahassee, FL

Chlamydia cases: 1,029.6 per 100,000 residents (4,025 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.8%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.8%
Total population: 390,913

3. Fayetteville, NC

Chlamydia cases: 1,109.9 per 100,000 residents (4,334 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 18.6%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 91.0%
Total population: 390,472

2. Sumter, SC

Chlamydia cases: 1,117.0 per 100,000 residents (1,161 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 88.2%
Total population: 103,936

1. Greenville, NC

Chlamydia cases: 1,199.8 per 100,000 residents (2,083 cases)
Adults reporting excessive drinking: 15.9%
Adults with at least a high school diploma: 92.4%
Total population: 173,610