Only one in five Mississippi residents holds a passport—the lowest rate in America. While coastal and border states like New Jersey (68.1%) and New York (64.6%) send residents across continents, vast swaths of the American heartland remain disconnected from international experiences.
New data from Rustic Pathways reveals a stark geographic divide that mirrors deeper economic and cultural fault lines. The bottom ten states for passport ownership cluster predominantly in the South and Midwest, where international travel feels more like luxury than possibility and should definitely be on your travel bucket list.
The States Left Behind
Economic and geographic barriers create a travel-poor corridor through America’s interior.
The numbers tell a story of two Americas. Mississippi’s 20.6% passport rate sits worlds apart from the international mobility enjoyed by residents of New Jersey and New York, and Massachusetts.
The complete bottom ten reveals a clear pattern:
- Mississippi: 20.6%
- West Virginia: 20.8%
- Alabama: 25.3%
- Arkansas: 26.2%
- Kentucky: 27.4%
- Louisiana: 29.1%
- Tennessee: 31.4%
- Oklahoma: 31.8%
- Indiana: 33.5%
- South Dakota: 35.2%
These states share common barriers: lower median incomes, fewer international airports, limited passport-issuing facilities, and cultural patterns that prioritize local over global experiences.
Money, Miles, and Mindset
Income, geography, and infrastructure create a perfect storm of isolation.
“Passport ownership strongly reflects social and economic privilege,” notes social studies professor Alan Singer. Higher-income coastal states benefit from proximity to international airports and borders, while interior regions face geographic isolation compounded by economic constraints.
The infrastructure gap compounds the problem. States with low ownership rates typically maintain fewer passport-processing facilities, making even basic document acquisition an obstacle course. When international travel requires both disposable income and logistical hurdles, many residents simply opt out entirely. Understanding airport security requirements can be particularly challenging for those unfamiliar with travel protocols.
The Cultural Cost
Limited global mobility shapes which Americans participate in an interconnected world.
This divide affects more than vacation photos. Regions with high passport ownership drive food trends, cultural exchanges, and international business connections. Areas with low rates risk becoming increasingly isolated as global integration accelerates.
“Culinary tourism’s supposed democratization is belied by passport data,” observes professor Marta Soligo. The Americans sampling street food in Bangkok or wine in Tuscany remain predominantly urban, educated, and affluent—a reminder that global experiences still require local privilege. For those who do venture abroad, knowing what to bring on a plane becomes essential knowledge for first-time travelers.
The gap has narrowed since 1990, when only 5% of Americans held passports. Today’s 45-50% national rate represents progress, but geography still determines who joins the global conversation and who watches from home.
