South Dakota Is One of the Least Hated States in America

With the exception of the folks in one neighboring state, not too many people hold any ill will toward the people of South Dakota, according to an article on BestLife.

The website created their very own 'Hatred Index' for each of the 50 states, using data from U.S. Census Bureau to track population fluctuations, numbers from a Gallup poll tracking state pride, and the results of an unscientific poll from researcher Matt Shurlee, who asked his 320,000 Instagram followers which state they hate the most.

Not surprisingly, the Mount Rushmore State isn't high on the hated list - 43rd of out the 50 states - although we are quite disliked by the folks in North Dakota, and apparently the feeling is mutual, with South Dakotans naming the Peace Garden State as their least favorite.

Matt Surlee/Instragram

Overall, South Dakota's population change is 1.7 percent above the national average, while our state pride runs at 57 percent. Alaskans have the most state pride (70%), with people in Rhode Island having the least (18%)

The numbers reveal that California has the biggest number of states that dislike it (9 - OR, WA, ID, NV, UT, AZ, CO, WY, MT).

LEAST HATED STATES IN AMERICA (BestLife)

Idaho
Utah
Washington
Nevada
Arizona
Colorado
Oregon
South Dakota
Montana
Wyoming

While most of the states on the least hated list make sense, there is one big omission on the most hated list - New York.

The Empire State, which usually elicits a very emotional response from non-citizens is number-11 overall, behind far less controversial places like Indiana and Kansas.

MOST HATED STATES IN AMERICA (BestLife)