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States with the highest rates of depression

Depression is a leading cause of disability worldwide, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the World Health Organization, and the Pan American Health Organization. Those who suffer from it are at much greater risk for things like metabolic and cardiovascular disease, and the global economy suffers $1 trillion in lost productivity every year to anxiety and depression disorders alone. Substance abuse is more prevalent among people with depression. Young people, who are more than twice as likely to drop out of school when they suffer from depression, are especially vulnerable.

That was all bad enough before the COVID-19 pandemic created economic and social conditions that were ripe for a quieter but equally crushing medical crisis to emerge—in mental health. That crisis has arrived in the form of a dramatic nationwide spike in cases of depression and anxiety since the arrival of the virus—and it’s not hard to understand why. Many who were struggling before the pandemic, and even many who weren’t, were pushed to depression by months of stress, isolation, loss of control, change, instability, and uncertainty—all of which played out against a backdrop of frightening social unrest.

Rates of depression, however, vary considerably from one state to the next. Here, Stacker examines the prevalence of depression in every state in America and then breaks down those findings by key demographics like sex, race, and income.

To determine the states with the highest rates of depression, Stacker used data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. All 50 states and Washington D.C. are ranked based on the share of the sampled population that reported a depression diagnosis in 2020. The national median for diagnosed depression rates is 19.5%.

It’s important to note that the findings are limited to, in essence, the first nine months of the pandemic, and therefore exclude the time of the pandemic thereafter. Consequently, the data may not represent an uptick in cases—particularly in major depressive episodes—that many states may have realized post-2020.

You may also like: 25 virology terms to help you understand outbreaks, from the common cold to COVID-19Depression rates in Hawaii by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#51. Hawaii

– Population diagnosed with depression: 12.7%
– Depression rate breakdown by sex:
— 9.6% rate for male population
— 15.8% rate for female population
– Depression rate breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 16.5% rate for white population
— 17.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 8.3% rate for Asian populationDepression rates in California by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#50. California

– Population diagnosed with depression: 14.1%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 9.4% rate for male population
— 18.6% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.4% rate for white population
— 19.7% rate for Black population
— 12.0% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 5.2% rate for Asian populationDepression rates in Florida by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#48. Florida

– Population diagnosed with depression: 14.7%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 9.8% rate for male population
— 19.2% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 17.2% rate for white population
— 11.6% rate for Black population
— 11.2% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Illinois by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#48. Illinois

– Population diagnosed with depression: 14.7%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 11.2% rate for male population
— 18.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 16.1% rate for white population
— 10.2% rate for Black population
— 15.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in New Jersey by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#47. New Jersey

– Population diagnosed with depression: 15.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.2% rate for male population
— 18.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 16.4% rate for white population
— 14.8% rate for Black population
— 14.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 10.0% rate for Asian population

You may also like: Medical information to have ready in case of emergencyDepression rates in Delaware by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#46. Delaware

– Population diagnosed with depression: 15.6%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 10.9% rate for male population
— 19.9% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 17.7% rate for white population
— 11.6% rate for Black population
— 9.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Maryland by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#45. Maryland

– Population diagnosed with depression: 15.7%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.1% rate for male population
— 19.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 19.0% rate for white population
— 12.6% rate for Black population
— 8.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 12.0% rate for Asian population
— 29.6% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Alaska by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#44. Alaska

– Population diagnosed with depression: 15.9%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 9.4% rate for male population
— 23.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 16.6% rate for white population
— 23.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 12.7% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in South Dakota by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#43. South Dakota

– Population diagnosed with depression: 16.1%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 10.2% rate for male population
— 22.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 15.8% rate for white populationDepression rates in Nebraska by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#41. Nebraska

– Population diagnosed with depression: 16.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 11.4% rate for male population
— 22.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 17.6% rate for white population
— 15.4% rate for Black population
— 10.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 14.1% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

You may also like: Over 45? Here’s how often you should be screened for these health conditionsDepression rates in New York by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#41. New York

– Population diagnosed with depression: 16.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 13.9% rate for male population
— 19.4% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.2% rate for white population
— 15.3% rate for Black population
— 17.0% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 8.9% rate for Asian populationDepression rates in Georgia by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#39. Georgia

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.3% rate for male population
— 21.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.0% rate for white population
— 12.4% rate for Black population
— 10.9% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Virginia by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#39. Virginia

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.1% rate for male population
— 22.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 19.4% rate for white population
— 15.7% rate for Black population
— 10.1% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 8.6% rate for Asian populationDepression rates in Arizona by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#37. Arizona

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 13.1% rate for male population
— 21.5% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 20.0% rate for white population
— 13.7% rate for Black population
— 13.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 16.2% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Iowa by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#37. Iowa

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 11.2% rate for male population
— 23.4% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 17.5% rate for white population
— 15.1% rate for Black population
— 15.3% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

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#35. New Mexico

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.6%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.5% rate for male population
— 22.5% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 19.8% rate for white population
— 16.1% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 13.3% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Nevada by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#35. Nevada

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.6%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 13.6% rate for male population
— 21.5% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.7% rate for white population
— 14.4% rate for Black population
— 14.2% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Connecticut by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#33. Connecticut

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.7%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.2% rate for male population
— 22.8% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.8% rate for white population
— 12.2% rate for Black population
— 18.9% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Texas by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#33. Texas

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.7%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.7% rate for male population
— 22.4% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.0% rate for white population
— 16.5% rate for Black population
— 14.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 7.9% rate for Asian populationDepression rates in Massachusetts by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#32. Massachusetts

– Population diagnosed with depression: 17.9%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.8% rate for male population
— 22.6% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.2% rate for white population
— 17.4% rate for Black population
— 23.1% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 6.2% rate for Asian population

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#31. Wyoming

– Population diagnosed with depression: 18.3%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.1% rate for male population
— 24.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.3% rate for white population
— 19.9% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Colorado by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#30. Colorado

– Population diagnosed with depression: 18.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.7% rate for male population
— 24.2% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 19.5% rate for white population
— 18.1% rate for Black population
— 15.3% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 27.6% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

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#29. Idaho

– Population diagnosed with depression: 18.9%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.7% rate for male population
— 25.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.5% rate for white population
— 18.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 26.0% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Kansas by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#27. Kansas

– Population diagnosed with depression: 19.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.7% rate for male population
— 25.5% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 19.7% rate for white population
— 17.0% rate for Black population
— 16.2% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 27.2% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in North Dakota by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#27. North Dakota

– Population diagnosed with depression: 19.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 13.4% rate for male population
— 25.3% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 18.9% rate for white population
— 24.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 26.1% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

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#26. Michigan

– Population diagnosed with depression: 19.6%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 13.8% rate for male population
— 25.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 20.0% rate for white population
— 15.9% rate for Black population
— 25.3% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 30.0% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Washington DC by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#23. Washington DC

– Population diagnosed with depression: 19.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.2% rate for male population
— 23.9% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 22.5% rate for white population
— 18.3% rate for Black population
— 13.5% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 16.5% rate for Asian populationDepression rates in Minnesota by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#23. Minnesota

– Population diagnosed with depression: 19.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 13.4% rate for male population
— 26.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 20.7% rate for white population
— 15.5% rate for Black population
— 16.1% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 7.1% rate for Asian population
— 34.9% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Wisconisn by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#23. Wisconsin

– Population diagnosed with depression: 19.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 12.9% rate for male population
— 26.5% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 19.7% rate for white population
— 20.2% rate for Black population
— 19.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 39.9% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Pennsylvania by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#22. Pennsylvania

– Population diagnosed with depression: 20.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 14.0% rate for male population
— 26.2% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 20.0% rate for white population
— 18.8% rate for Black population
— 29.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

You may also like: Most common nutrient deficiencies—and the superfoods that can helpDepression rates in North Carolina by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#21. North Carolina

– Population diagnosed with depression: 20.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.2% rate for male population
— 26.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 23.4% rate for white population
— 16.7% rate for Black population
— 11.0% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 31.1% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Mississippi by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#20. Mississippi

– Population diagnosed with depression: 20.9%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 14.8% rate for male population
— 26.4% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 23.4% rate for white population
— 16.1% rate for Black population
— 36.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Rhode Island by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#19. Rhode Island

– Population diagnosed with depression: 21.1%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.1% rate for male population
— 25.8% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.7% rate for white population
— 14.5% rate for Black population
— 20.5% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Oregon by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#18. Oregon

– Population diagnosed with depression: 21.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.1% rate for male population
— 27.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.7% rate for white population
— 25.0% rate for Black population
— 16.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 15.9% rate for Asian population
— 17.8% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in New Hampshire by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#16. New Hampshire

– Population diagnosed with depression: 21.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.0% rate for male population
— 27.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.0% rate for white population
— 28.3% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

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#16. South Carolina

– Population diagnosed with depression: 21.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 14.5% rate for male population
— 27.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 23.1% rate for white population
— 16.2% rate for Black population
— 15.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Indiana by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#15. Indiana

– Population diagnosed with depression: 21.9%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.8% rate for male population
— 27.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 22.9% rate for white population
— 17.4% rate for Black population
— 17.8% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 31.2% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Ohio by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#14. Ohio

– Population diagnosed with depression: 22.0%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.8% rate for male population
— 27.8% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 22.3% rate for white population
— 19.9% rate for Black population
— 26.0% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Maine by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#13. Maine

– Population diagnosed with depression: 22.1%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.0% rate for male population
— 27.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 22.0% rate for white population
— 26.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Montana by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#12. Montana

– Population diagnosed with depression: 22.6%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.0% rate for male population
— 30.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 21.8% rate for white population
— 28.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 29.3% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

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#11. Missouri

– Population diagnosed with depression: 22.8%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.9% rate for male population
— 29.3% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 23.5% rate for white population
— 17.1% rate for Black population
— 21.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 38.4% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Oklahoma by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#10. Oklahoma

– Population diagnosed with depression: 22.9%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.2% rate for male population
— 29.3% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 23.4% rate for white population
— 24.5% rate for Black population
— 15.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 25.5% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Utah by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#9. Utah

– Population diagnosed with depression: 23.1%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.1% rate for male population
— 30.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 24.3% rate for white population
— 20.1% rate for Black population
— 19.0% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 21.5% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Vermont by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#8. Vermont

– Population diagnosed with depression: 23.3%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 17.9% rate for male population
— 28.5% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 22.4% rate for white population
— 31.2% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 34.4% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Washington by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#7. Washington

– Population diagnosed with depression: 23.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 17.7% rate for male population
— 29.1% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 25.4% rate for white population
— 22.4% rate for Black population
— 19.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 10.7% rate for Asian population
— 36.7% rate for Native American or Alaska Native population

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#4. Alabama

– Population diagnosed with depression: 23.5%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.1% rate for male population
— 30.3% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 25.0% rate for white population
— 21.4% rate for Black population
— 27.5% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Arkansas by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#4. Arkansas

– Population diagnosed with depression: 23.5%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 15.1% rate for male population
— 31.4% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 25.1% rate for white population
— 19.6% rate for Black population
— 13.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 23.4% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Louisiana by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#4. Louisiana

– Population diagnosed with depression: 23.5%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.6% rate for male population
— 30.0% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 25.0% rate for white population
— 20.0% rate for Black population
— 25.4% rate for Hispanic or Latino population
— 28.7% rate for Native American or Alaska Native populationDepression rates in Tennessee by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#3. Tennessee

– Population diagnosed with depression: 24.1%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 16.5% rate for male population
— 31.2% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 25.1% rate for white population
— 20.9% rate for Black population
— 16.6% rate for Hispanic or Latino populationDepression rates in Kentucky by income, showing lower income individuals have higher rates of depression

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#2. Kentucky

– Population diagnosed with depression: 24.2%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 18.4% rate for male population
— 29.7% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 24.8% rate for white population
— 18.8% rate for Black population
— 17.7% rate for Hispanic or Latino population

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#1. West Virginia

– Population diagnosed with depression: 26.4%
– Breakdown by sex:
— 20.1% rate for male population
— 32.4% rate for female population
– Breakdown by race/ethnicity:
— 26.6% rate for white population
— 15.2% rate for Black population

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