These States Have the Highest Alcohol-Related Arrest Rates in America

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Across the United States, alcohol-related arrests vary sharply by state — and in some places, the numbers are more than triple the national average.

An analysis by Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers found that several northern and Midwestern states report some of the highest per-capita arrest rates for DUI, public drunkenness and liquor law violations between 2020 and 2024.

The study used arrest data from the FBI Crime Data Explorer and calculated alcohol-related arrests per 100,000 residents to identify where enforcement — and potential risk — is most concentrated.

Nationally, the average rate during the study period was 329 alcohol-related arrests per 100,000 residents.

In some states, that figure was more than three times higher.

The 10 States With the Highest Alcohol-Related Arrest Rates Per 100,000 Residents (2020–2024)

1. South Dakota (1,029)
2. North Dakota (899)
3. Wyoming (727)
4. New Hampshire (637)
5. New Mexico (559)
6. Montana (474)
7. Idaho (450)
8. Wisconsin (436)
9. Minnesota (418)
10. Alaska (412)

South Dakota ranks first with 1,029 alcohol-related arrests per 100,000 residents — 212.7% higher than the national average.

Among its population of 907,408 residents, the state recorded an annual average of 9,338 alcohol-related arrests between 2020 and 2024. That includes:

• 6,212 DUI arrests per year
• 1,371 drunkenness arrests per year
• 1,755 liquor law violation arrests per year

North Dakota ranks second with 899 arrests per 100,000 residents — 173.3% above the national average. With a population of 782,853, the state averaged 7,041 alcohol-related arrests annually during the study period.

Those included:

• 4,592 DUI arrests per year
• 84 drunkenness arrests per year
• 2,366 liquor law violation arrests per year

Wyoming ranks third at 727 arrests per 100,000 residents — 121% above the national average. Among 581,905 residents, the state averaged 4,230 alcohol-related arrests per year, including:

• 2,750 DUI arrests
• 283 drunkenness arrests
• 1,197 liquor law violation arrests

Check out the full map below:

A Pattern in Smaller Northern and Midwestern States

According to a spokesperson for Ladah Injury & Car Accident Lawyers, the data shows a notable concentration of alcohol-related arrests in smaller, rural states.

The spokesperson said states such as South Dakota, North Dakota and Wyoming record high per-capita arrest rates despite relatively small populations. The figures may reflect a combination of enforcement practices and drinking patterns.

The study notes that impaired driving, public intoxication and liquor law violations remain persistent public safety concerns, particularly in rural areas where transportation alternatives may be limited.