Redneck pride runs deep in America – and we’re not talking about stereotypes. We’re talking about the hardworking, camo-wearing, outdoors-loving folks who keep tradition alive and community tight. Whether it’s hunting season or just another Saturday at the mud bog, these red-blooded regions know how to live large and stay loyal to their roots.
How did we decide which states are the most redneck? We looked at indicators like the number of trailer parks and the number of Walmart stores per capita in each state. But beyond the stats, we factored in the spirit of the people – those who fish, fix their trucks with duct tape, and fry everything from gator to raccoon. Let’s dive into America’s ten most redneck states – and why that’s something to celebrate.
1. Mississippi: Where the Redneck Reigns Supreme
If there’s a state that truly captures the redneck lifestyle, it’s Mississippi. This southern stronghold doesn’t just top the list – it dominates it. With one of the highest high school dropout rates in the country and more mobile homes than most states could imagine, Mississippi also ranks third in Walmarts per capita. But those stats don’t paint the whole picture.
What makes Mississippi stand out is its love of tradition, family, and the outdoors. From deer hunting season to weekend catfish fries, the redneck way of life here is not just accepted – it’s cherished. Folks don’t need big cities or high-speed Wi-Fi. They’ve got pickup trucks, porch sittin’, and the best sweet tea you’ve ever tasted.
2. Arkansas: Walmart’s Hometown Hero
Welcome to the Natural State – where Walmart was born and rednecks thrive. Arkansas ranks first in Walmarts per capita (unsurprisingly, since Walmart’s HQ is in Bentonville), and fifth in mobile homes. But there’s more to Arkansas than just statistics.
Life here moves at its own rhythm. People work hard, hunt hard, and rest even harder. Whether it’s wrestling catfish out of the river or barbecuing in the backyard, Arkansas rednecks make the most of the land and the lifestyle. And while outsiders might joke about it, around here, being called a redneck is a badge of honor.
3. Georgia: Where Redneck Games Are a Real Thing
Step outside Atlanta, and Georgia turns into redneck paradise. The state has one of the highest dropout rates in the country and plenty of mobile homes, but the real clincher? Georgia once hosted the actual “Redneck Games” in Dublin. That’s right – mud pit belly flops, bobbing for pig’s feet, and armpit serenades were real events, and folks showed up in droves to compete.
Georgia rednecks don’t play around. Whether it’s fixing up old trucks, raising livestock, or watching NASCAR on Sunday, there’s a real sense of community and pride in the rural parts of this peachy state. And let’s be honest – where else are you going to find two sons named Ricky and Bobby?
4. Louisiana: Crawfish, Camo, and Camaraderie
Down in the bayou, redneck culture is a little spicier. Louisiana scores top marks across the board – high school dropout rate, trailer parks, Walmarts – and its redneck credentials are enhanced by its deep Cajun roots. If you’ve never shot a gator, eaten frog legs, or danced to zydeco under the stars, you haven’t lived the Louisiana way.
This state is a mix of oil rigs, mud trucks, and hunting blinds. It’s where redneck meets Creole, and it’s beautiful. Family comes first, and so does food. You haven’t tasted real southern cookin’ until you’ve eaten what a Louisiana redneck throws on the grill – roadkill raccoon included (if you’re lucky).
5. Missouri: Where Deer Season is a State Holiday
In Missouri, redneck isn’t a lifestyle – it’s an expectation. Everyone hunts. Everyone fishes. Everyone knows someone who makes their own moonshine. The redneck spirit in Missouri is woven into the land, and it’s strongest in the small towns and hollers that dot the Ozarks.
Kansas City, Missouri was once ranked one of the most redneck cities in the country. On the opening day of deer season, kids get pulled out of school. Church service ends early during duck season. And if you’re not wearing camo, you’d better be headed to a funeral.
6. Wyoming: The Cowboy-Redneck Merger
Wyoming is the place where rednecks and cowboys form a perfect union. With one of the highest trailer park counts per capita and a wide-open, rugged lifestyle, it’s not hard to see why Wyoming makes the list. It’s a small state population-wise, but almost everyone here wears boots and knows how to shoot.
Between the rodeos, the ranches, and the absolute lack of big city nonsense, Wyoming is a redneck’s dream. And while the term might conjure images of Deep South dirt roads, redneck culture is alive and well in the shadow of the Rockies.
7. Oklahoma: Land of Walmart, Mud, and Pickup Trucks
Oklahoma ranks second in the country for Walmarts per capita, and that alone says a lot. This state is pure redneck energy – just take a drive through any town and count the lifted trucks, camo hats, and chew tins. While it ranks more modestly in trailer parks and dropout rates, the culture speaks for itself.
People here live for college football, barbecued ribs, and watching storms roll across the plains. Tornado season doubles as backyard party season. And despite its redneck label, Oklahoma is full of people who work hard, play harder, and don’t care what anyone thinks about it.
8. Alabama: NASCAR, Mountain Dew, and Mud Tires
If you ask someone to name a redneck state, Alabama is probably the first word out of their mouth. And for good reason. With more than 140 Walmarts, a high trailer park density, and some of the country’s best fishing and hunting, Alabama fits the mold perfectly.
But don’t let the jokes fool you. Alabama is full of resilient, patriotic people who know how to survive off the land and protect their own. And they do it with a bottle of Mountain Dew in hand and a NASCAR race blaring in the background. There’s even a TV show called “The Redneck Housewives of Alabama.” You can’t get more on-brand than that.
9. West Virginia: The Hills Are Alive With Rednecks
It’s kind of shocking that West Virginia isn’t higher on this list. Anyone who’s ever driven through the hollers knows that redneck culture runs deep in the Mountain State. While it actually scores pretty well for graduation rates, its trailer park count is high and its camo game is stronger than most.
There’s a certain kind of grit in West Virginia that’s hard to describe but easy to admire. People here live off the grid, off the land, and off their own wits. And if you ask them if they’re redneck, they might laugh – or get a little offended. But either way, they’ll still offer you a cold beer and a warm welcome.
10. South Carolina: Fields, Firearms, and Family
Rounding out the list is South Carolina, a state built on agriculture and southern hospitality. It’s redneck in the best ways – cotton fields, tobacco barns, and trucks with shotgun racks. With a top 20 rank in Walmarts and dropout rates, the Palmetto State doesn’t shy away from its roots.
In South Carolina, you’re never far from a fishing hole, a gun range, or a tailgate party. Family is everything, and so is loyalty. Don’t knock the lifestyle until you’ve lived it – and maybe gotten a little mud on your boots in the process.
Redneck and Proud
So, what makes a redneck state? It’s more than trailer parks or Walmarts. It’s a deep-rooted pride in heritage, family, and community. It’s about knowing how to hunt, fish, fix your own truck, and fry up dinner without ever needing a GPS. And yeah, it’s a little about duct tape.
These ten states may top the redneck charts, but really, redneck pride can be found coast to coast. And in today’s fast-paced, digital world, a little redneck simplicity might be exactly what we need.
God bless America – and pass the Mountain Dew.
Mark grew up in the heart of Texas, where tornadoes and extreme weather were a part of life. His early experiences sparked a fascination with emergency preparedness and homesteading. A father of three, Mark is dedicated to teaching families how to be self-sufficient, with a focus on food storage, DIY projects, and energy independence. His writing empowers everyday people to take small steps toward greater self-reliance without feeling overwhelmed.