Fastest Talkers in U.S. in Minnesota, Iowa, and South Dakota

I work with one of the fastest talkers on the planet. He constantly denies that it's true, but believe me, it is. His contention is that I simply don't listen to him. I will admit there may be a grain of truth to that, but that is intentional (at times) on my part.

Now a new study finds (not surprisingly) that I'm right and he's wrong!

Preply an online language learning website studied YouTube videos and phone call recordings to determine which states have the fastest talkers.

The results were kind of surprising considering that I've always assumed my New York City relatives were the fastest-talking humans in our species! But no. As it turns out I am living among the fastest talkers right now.

In fact, Minnesota is the state with the fastest talkers in the country!

Our neighbors to the east and north spit out a rapid-fire 5.34 syllables per second! They are followed closely by Iowans at 5.30 syllables per second.

Here in South Dakota, we're obviously fast-talkers too, clearing the top 10 with 5.27 syllables per second.

Top 10 Fastest-Talking States in the U.S.

1. Minnesota
2. Oregon
3. Iowa
4. Kansas
5. North Dakota
6. Massachusetts
7. New Hampshire
8. South Dakota
9. Nebraska
10. Vermont

Just in case you're wondering where you'll find the slowest blabbers- -

Ten Slowest-Talking States

1. Louisiana
2. South Carolina
3. Mississippi
4. Alabama
5. Georgia
6. New Mexico
7. Arkansas
8. North Carolina
9. Texas
10. Illinois

So - - where my co-worker is concerned- - he was born in Iowa, lived in Minnesota for years, and is now a South Dakotan. I rest my case.

Sources: Today and Preply