States with the highest incidence of STIs

Published 3:00 pm Monday, July 17, 2023

States with the highest incidence of STIs

When it comes to respecting your body and that of your partner, one of the most important acts of care you can offer, aside from practicing safe sex, is talking frankly about STIs. Sexually transmitted infections have long been deeply stigmatized, but understanding their risks is crucial for sexual wellness.

To better understand the landscape of STI prevalence across the U.S., Stacker investigated which states have the highest incidence of STIs using 2021 data from the CDC. States are ranked by overall STI cases per 100,000. The total number of cases breaks ties. Maryland is excluded from the list because it did not report STI data to the CDC.

An infection is considered an STI if it can be passed from person to person through sexual intercourse, including anal, oral, vaginal, and occasionally hand-to-genital contact. Some common symptoms of STIs include pain during urination, unusual genital discharge, lumps or growths near the genitals, bleeding, and itching. This list is not exhaustive; most people who contract STIs are asymptomatic.

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Regular testing at your local health clinic, even when you don’t have symptoms, is the best way to keep yourself safe from current and future STIs. While STIs can be scary, they can be prevented by engaging in safe sex practices, such as the use of condoms, internal condoms, and dental dams. Many STIs, like chlamydia and gonorrhea, are treatable with medication when caught early. Routine testing and honest dialogue with partners makes that possible.

Read on to see how incidence of STIs in your state compare to other states around the nation.


Montpelier, Vermont, town skyline

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#49. Vermont

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 163.2 (1,056 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 140.7 (910 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 21.0 (136 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.4 (9 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.2 (1 cases)

Manchester, New Hampshire skyline at dusk.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#48. New Hampshire

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 267.6 (3,713 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 218.2 (3,027 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 44.2 (613 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 5.3 (73 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.0 (0 cases)

Augusta, Maine skyline on the river.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#47. Maine

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 282.8 (3,895 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 244.8 (3,372 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 33.5 (462 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 4.4 (61 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.0 (0 cases)

Charleston, West Virginia skyline on the Kanawha River.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#46. West Virginia

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 397.2 (7,092 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 292.7 (5,226 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 91.8 (1,639 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 11.9 (212 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.8 (15 cases)

City of trees Boise Idaho with fall colors

Charles Knowles // Shutterstock

#45. Idaho

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 399.4 (7,606 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 331.9 (6,320 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 62.9 (1,197 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 4.4 (84 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.3 (5 cases)

State capitol building in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Johnny Adolphson // Shutterstock

#44. Utah

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 450.7 (15,049 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 336.0 (11,221 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 108.4 (3,621 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 6.1 (205 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.1 (2 cases)

Downtown Jackson Hole.

f11photo // Shutterstock

#43. Wyoming

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 451.6 (2,617 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 358.6 (2,078 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 90.3 (523 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.8 (16 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.0 (0 cases)

Aerial view of Newark skyline on late sunny afternoon.

mandritoiu // Shutterstock

#42. New Jersey

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 481.7 (44,640 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 360.7 (33,425 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 110.7 (10,259 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 9.8 (908 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.5 (48 cases)

View of downtown Bozeman, Montana.

EQRoy // Shutterstock

#41. Montana

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 504.6 (5,582 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 364.2 (4,029 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 130.9 (1,448 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 8.7 (96 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.8 (9 cases)

Boston skyline with river in sunlight at Massachusetts.

Tono Balaguer // Shutterstock

#40. Massachusetts

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 514.2 (35,940 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 385.6 (26,950 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 117.9 (8,240 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 10.6 (741 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.1 (9 cases)

City of Portland Oregon and Mount Hood in Autumn.

Nadia Yong // Shutterstock

#39. Oregon

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 535.5 (22,793 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 366.4 (15,596 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 146.2 (6,221 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 22.3 (949 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.6 (27 cases)

Waikiki Beach and Honolulu skyline in Hawaii.

SvetlanaSF // Shutterstock

#38. Hawaii

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 540.0 (7,814 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 420.0 (6,078 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 100.7 (1,457 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 17.9 (259 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.4 (20 cases)

Exterior of Pike Place Market in Seattle.

Nadia Yong // Shutterstock

#37. Washington

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 548.0 (42,422 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 382.8 (29,632 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 145.1 (11,231 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 19.5 (1,506 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.7 (53 cases)

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania skyline on the Susquehanna River.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#36. Pennsylvania

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 563.8 (73,360 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 408.3 (53,124 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 145.3 (18,912 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 10.1 (1,310 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.1 (14 cases)

Hartford, Connecticut downtown cityscape.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#35. Connecticut

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 565.5 (20,490 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 407.1 (14,750 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 149.2 (5,405 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 9.1 (329 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.2 (6 cases)

Downtown of St. Paul and Mississippi river

photo.ua // Shutterstock

#34. Minnesota

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 574.5 (32,813 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 395.2 (22,573 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 169.1 (9,660 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 9.9 (565 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.3 (15 cases)

Aerial photo Downtown Baton Rouge.

Felix Mizioznikov // Shutterstock

#33. Kentucky

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 604.9 (27,259 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 410.5 (18,500 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 182.4 (8,221 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 11.4 (513 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.6 (25 cases)

Downtown Omaha water fountain and American Flags.

Scruggelgreen // Shutterstock

#32. Nebraska

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 618.6 (12,146 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 453.1 (8,897 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 156.0 (3,063 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 9.4 (185 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.1 (1 cases)

Richmond, Virginia downtown skyline on the James River.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#31. Virginia

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 641.0 (55,495 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 466.8 (40,409 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 165.4 (14,323 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 8.6 (745 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.2 (18 cases)

Sunset at Castle Hill Lighthouse on Newport, Rhode Island.

Jim Schubert // Shutterstock

#30. Rhode Island

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 646.4 (7,091 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 473.9 (5,199 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 153.2 (1,681 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 19.1 (209 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.2 (2 cases)

Aerial view of of downtown Wilmington Delaware.

Real Window Creative // Shutterstock

#29. Delaware

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 652.0 (6,551 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 485.7 (4,880 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 153.4 (1,541 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 12.8 (129 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.1 (1 cases)

Denver downtown with City Park.

Andrew Zarivny // Shutterstock

#28. Colorado

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 656.4 (38,145 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 460.3 (26,747 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 182.3 (10,596 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 13.3 (772 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.5 (30 cases)

The capital building in Madison Wisconsin at dusk.

Lindsay Snow // Shutterstock

#27. Wisconsin

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 663.9 (39,040 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 473.6 (27,847 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 177.8 (10,455 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 12.3 (723 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.3 (15 cases)

Panorama of the downtown district of Detroit with the Renaissance Center.

ehrlif // Shutterstock

#26. Michigan

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 681.9 (68,441 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 453.0 (45,473 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 218.7 (21,954 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 9.7 (972 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.4 (42 cases)

Des Moines skyline from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

#25. Iowa

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 699.7 (22,373 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 488.5 (15,620 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 200.2 (6,403 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 10.6 (339 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.3 (11 cases)

Jacksonville, Florida downtown skyline at dusk over St. Johns River.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#24. Florida

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 704.7 (153,816 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 478.3 (104,400 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 205.0 (44,738 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 20.6 (4,498 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.8 (180 cases)

Wichita, Kansas downtown skyline at dusk.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#23. Kansas

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 708.2 (20,805 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 505.5 (14,851 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 192.2 (5,646 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 10.2 (301 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.2 (7 cases)

Columbus, Ohio skyline on the Scioto River.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#22. Ohio

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 732.7 (86,192 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 480.4 (56,520 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 236.6 (27,838 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 15.2 (1,783 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.4 (51 cases)

Indianapolis, Indiana skyline over Monument Circle

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#21. Indiana

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 733.7 (49,992 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 510.1 (34,755 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 212.6 (14,483 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 10.8 (734 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.3 (20 cases)

Aerial Drone View of the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks during the Summer.

Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#20. North Dakota

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 739.1 (5,750 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 509.6 (3,964 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 223.0 (1,735 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 6.3 (49 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.3 (2 cases)

Houston, Texas downtown city park and skyline.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#19. Texas

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 740.2 (218,804 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 506.2 (149,636 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 218.6 (64,623 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 13.1 (3,865 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.3 (680 cases)

New York Central park aerial view in summer.

Photo Spirit // Shutterstock

#18. New York

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 746.5 (148,246 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 511.9 (101,657 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 216.8 (43,048 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 17.6 (3,500 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.2 (41 cases)

Aerial view of a Downtown Los Angeles at sunset.

TierneyMJ // Shutterstock

#17. California

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 746.6 (292,245 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 489.3 (191,542 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 233.7 (91,461 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 22.3 (8,724 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.3 (518 cases)

Kansas City, Missouri, downtown skyline.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#16. Missouri

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 794.4 (49,011 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 517.3 (31,915 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 254.7 (15,714 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 21.3 (1,316 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.1 (66 cases)

Skyline of Oklahoma City with OKC sign and ferris wheel.

Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock

#15. Oklahoma

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 809.1 (32,292 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 518.9 (20,709 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 257.4 (10,273 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 30.7 (1,225 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.1 (85 cases)

Chicago downtown aerial view at dusk with skyscrapers and city skyline.

Marianna Ianovska // Shutterstock

#14. Illinois

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 818.4 (103,826 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 566.2 (71,836 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 240.1 (30,454 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 11.7 (1,486 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.4 (50 cases)

Aerial view of Las Vegas strip in Nevada as seen at night

f11photo // Shutterstock

#13. Nevada

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 820.6 (25,820 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 519.6 (16,348 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 269.8 (8,488 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 29.8 (939 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.4 (45 cases)

Neon signs at night along Broadway Street in Nashville.

CrackerClips Stock Media // Shutterstock

#12. Tennessee

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 846.5 (58,986 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 562.9 (39,227 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 269.3 (18,768 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 13.7 (952 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.6 (39 cases)

View of Tucson from Tumamoc Hill west of the city.

Charles T. Peden // Shutterstock

#11. Arizona

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 854.6 (62,087 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 571.2 (41,498 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 253.6 (18,426 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 27.3 (1,982 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.5 (181 cases)

Aerial view of Albuquerque residential suburbs.

turtix // Shutterstock

#10. New Mexico

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 864.0 (18,289 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 587.8 (12,441 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 240.0 (5,080 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 34.2 (724 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.1 (44 cases)

The skyline of downtown Asheville at sunset with mountains in the background.

Derek Olson Photography // Shutterstock

#9. North Carolina

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 891.4 (94,184 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 602.5 (63,660 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 270.8 (28,612 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 17.7 (1,870 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.4 (42 cases)

Tulsa downtown skyline on the Arkansas River at dusk.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#8. Arkansas

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 896.7 (27,152 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 592.3 (17,936 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 270.0 (8,176 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 32.7 (990 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.7 (50 cases)

Savannah riverfront skyline.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#7. Georgia

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 944.7 (101,914 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 629.8 (67,941 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 296.6 (31,996 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 17.5 (1,884 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.9 (93 cases)

Panorama of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Sopotnicki // Shutterstock

#6. South Dakota

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 955.5 (8,563 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 541.5 (4,853 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 363.5 (3,258 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 48.7 (436 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 1.8 (16 cases)

Aerial view of downtown Mobile, Alabama.

Kevin Ruck // Shutterstock

#5. Alabama

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 960.3 (48,496 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 623.9 (31,507 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 320.6 (16,191 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 15.1 (761 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.7 (37 cases)

Colorful historic buildings in Charleston Downtown District.

f11photo // Shutterstock

#4. South Carolina

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 1,027.9 (53,384 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 702.4 (36,477 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 309.1 (16,052 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 16.1 (836 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.4 (19 cases)

Anchorage skyline with a winter reflection.

Daniel Case // Shutterstock

#3. Alaska

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 1,055.2 (7,747 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 758.8 (5,571 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 269.3 (1,977 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 26.4 (194 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 0.7 (5 cases)

New Orleans, Louisiana street cars.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#2. Louisiana

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 1,107.7 (51,254 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 729.6 (33,759 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 354.2 (16,390 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 21.5 (995 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.4 (110 cases)

Jackson, Mississippi cityscape at dusk.

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock

#1. Mississippi

– Total STI rate per 100,000: 1,208.2 (35,636 cases)
— Chlamydia rate per 100,000: 750.1 (22,126 cases)
— Gonorrhea rate per 100,000: 427.8 (12,617 cases)
— Primary and secondary syphilis rate per 100,000: 28.1 (829 cases)
— Congenital syphilis rate per 100,000: 2.2 (64 cases)