U.S. Male to Female Ratio 2026 — 101.015 Males per 100 Females
The United States has undergone a quiet but significant demographic shift. For most of the 20th century, women outnumbered men in the American population. In 2026, that is no longer the case.
There are now 175.40 million males and 173.64 million females in the United States, giving a national sex ratio of 101.015 males per 100 females, 1.76 million more men than women. The U.S. now ranks 175th globally in female-to-male ratio, and has the 7th largest male surplus in the world in absolute terms.
The shift reflects several converging trends. Male life expectancy has improved more rapidly than female life expectancy in recent decades, narrowing the longevity gap that historically kept women in the majority. Immigration has brought disproportionately more working-age men. And improved occupational safety has reduced male workplace deaths.
Still, the balance is age-dependent: men dominate younger and middle-aged cohorts, while women increasingly outnumber men from age 60 onwards. The broader U.S. population context is in our U.S. births and fertility analysis.
Male to Female Ratio by State — Full 2026 Ranking (51 States + DC)
The table below shows the complete ranking of male to female ratio for all 50 U.S. states plus the District of Columbia, sorted from highest (most male) to lowest (most female). Click any column header to re-sort. The national average of 101.0 is shown in the final row.
States with a ratio above 100 have more men than women; states below 100 have more women. The data reflects U.S. Census Bureau 2024 vintage population estimates as compiled by World Population Review. The U.S. immigration and population context is in our global population analysis.
| Rank | State | Sex Ratio (M per 100 F) | Gender Balance | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | 110.6 | +10.6% male | Oil/gas, military, fishing, construction |
| 2 | North Dakota | 105.1 | +5.1% male | Bakken oil fields, agriculture |
| 3 | Wyoming | 104.5 | +4.5% male | Mining, ranching, energy |
| 4 | South Dakota | 103.1 | +3.1% male | Agriculture, military (Ellsworth AFB) |
| 5 | Montana | 102.7 | +2.7% male | Ranching, mining, outdoor industries |
| 5 | Utah | 102.7 | +2.7% male | Young LDS families, tech industry |
| 7 | Colorado | 102.6 | +2.6% male | Military (5 bases), outdoor/tech economy |
| 8 | Nevada | 101.5 | +1.5% male | Construction, gaming, male immigration |
| 9 | Washington | 101.4 | +1.4% male | Tech industry, military (Joint Base Lewis) |
| 10 | Idaho | 101.3 | +1.3% male | Agriculture, construction, tech growth |
| 11 | Nebraska | 101.0 | +1.0% male | Agriculture, meatpacking industry |
| 12 | Hawaii | 100.9 | +0.9% male | Military (Pearl Harbor, Schofield) |
| 13 | Kansas | 100.7 | +0.7% male | Agriculture, aviation manufacturing |
| 14 | Iowa | 100.6 | +0.6% male | Agriculture, food processing |
| 15 | Minnesota | 100.4 | +0.4% male | Manufacturing, agriculture |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 100.3 | +0.3% male | Manufacturing, dairy farming |
| 17 | California | 99.8 | Slight female | Large diverse economy, urban population |
| 17 | West Virginia | 99.8 | Slight female | Population decline, male outmigration |
| 19 | Arizona | 99.7 | Slight female | Retirement migration, urban growth |
| 19 | New Hampshire | 99.7 | Slight female | Education, healthcare economy |
| 21 | Texas | 99.6 | Slight female | Large diverse population, urban centers |
| 22 | Oregon | 99.4 | Slight female | Educated workforce, services economy |
| 23 | Oklahoma | 99.1 | Slight female | Urban female population, higher mortality |
| 24 | New Mexico | 98.8 | Female | Military off-base, older demographics |
| 25 | Vermont | 98.5 | Female | Aging population, rural economy |
| 26 | Indiana | 98.4 | Female | Manufacturing decline, urban shift |
| 27 | Kentucky | 98.2 | Female | Higher male mortality, coal region decline |
| 27 | Michigan | 98.2 | Female | Auto industry decline, Detroit demographics |
| 29 | Illinois | 97.7 | Female | Chicago urban demographics |
| 30 | Virginia | 97.6 | Female | DC suburbs, professional workforce |
| 31 | Arkansas | 97.5 | Female | Higher male mortality, rural economy |
| 32 | Ohio | 97.3 | Female | Aging population, rust belt demographics |
| 33 | Maine | 97.2 | Female | Oldest median age in U.S., aging population |
| 33 | Missouri | 97.2 | Female | Aging, higher male mortality in rural areas |
| 33 | Pennsylvania | 97.2 | Female | Aging industrial state, Philadelphia demographics |
| 36 | New Jersey | 96.9 | Female | Urban, professional workforce |
| 37 | Florida | 96.6 | Female | Retirement migration (more female retirees) |
| 38 | Tennessee | 96.4 | Female | Nashville urban growth, higher male mortality |
| 39 | Connecticut | 96.3 | Female | Educated female workforce, Hartford |
| 39 | Rhode Island | 96.3 | Female | Urban, college towns, aging demographics |
| 41 | Louisiana | 95.8 | Female | High male incarceration rate, mortality |
| 42 | Massachusetts | 95.6 | Female | College towns, healthcare and education sector |
| 42 | North Carolina | 95.6 | Female | Urban growth, Research Triangle |
| 44 | New York | 95.5 | Female | NYC demographics, professional women workforce |
| 45 | Georgia | 95.2 | Female | Atlanta metro, higher male incarceration/mortality |
| 46 | Maryland | 94.8 | Female | DC suburbs, federal workforce, education sector |
| 46 | South Carolina | 94.8 | Female | Higher male mortality, urban female migration |
| 48 | Alabama | 94.4 | Female | High male mortality, incarceration rates |
| 49 | Mississippi | 94.2 | Female | Highest male mortality gap, rural poverty |
| 50 | Delaware | 93.9 | Female | Wilmington urban demographics, finance sector |
| — | DC | 90.6 | Most female | Government/nonprofit/professional workforce |
| US | United States | 101.0 | +1.0% male | National average — 1.76M more men than women |
States with Highest Male to Female Ratio — Why the West and North Lead
A clear geographic pattern emerges when mapping U.S. sex ratios by state: Western and Northern states consistently show higher male ratios, while Southeastern states and the Northeast show female majorities.
The top 10 states by male ratio are all in the West, Mountain, or Upper Midwest, Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Idaho. This pattern is not coincidental. These states share a common economic thread: extractive and industrial industries that have historically employed disproportionately more men.
Alaska's ratio of 110.6 is the most extreme in the nation, nearly 11 more men per 100 women. The state's North Slope oil fields, commercial fishing fleet, military installations (JBER, Fort Wainwright, Eielson), and construction sector all skew heavily male.
North Dakota's 105.1 reflects the Bakken Formation oil boom that brought tens of thousands of male workers to Williston and Dickinson. Wyoming's 104.5 reflects its mining, ranching, and energy economy. Utah's 102.7 is unusual, it reflects both a young LDS population with more children (more boys at birth) and a strong tech sector that attracts male workers.
Colorado's military presence (5 major bases) and outdoor economy both drive its 102.6 ratio. U.S. military and defense context is in our U.S. Armed Forces analysis.
States with Lowest Male to Female Ratio — The South, Northeast, and DC
The District of Columbia's ratio of 90.6 is the most female-skewed jurisdiction in the nation, with nearly 10 fewer men per 100 women. DC's economy centers on federal government, nonprofits, universities, and professional services, all of which attract more women.
Among the 50 states, Delaware (93.9), Mississippi (94.2), Alabama (94.4), South Carolina (94.8), Maryland (94.8), Georgia (95.2), New York (95.5), and Massachusetts (95.6) all show strong female majorities. These states share different causes but converging outcomes: urban female workforce concentration, higher male mortality rates, higher male incarceration rates, and the absence of male-dominated extractive industries.
Southern states dominate the bottom of the ranking. Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, Georgia, and North Carolina all rank in the bottom 12 nationally.
The pattern reflects a convergence of factors unique to the South: some of the widest male-female life expectancy gaps in the country, high male incarceration rates that reduce the civilian male population, and urbanization that draws women to cities like Atlanta, Charlotte, and Nashville for education and careers while men in rural areas face declining economic opportunities.
The U.S. economic inequality context is in our U.S. millionaires analysis.
Male to Female Ratio by Age — Men Lead Until 60, Women Dominate After
The most dramatic story in U.S. gender demographics is not geographic, it is generational. Men outnumber women in every age group from birth through approximately age 60. The peak male dominance occurs in the 30-34 age group at 107.3 males per 100 females. After age 60, the balance shifts permanently. By 65-69, women begin to outnumber men.
By 85-89, there are only 66 men per 100 women. Among centenarians (100+), women outnumber men 3 to 1. This dramatic age-dependent reversal reflects the persistent gender gap in life expectancy, U.S. women live approximately 5-6 years longer than men on average.
- At birth — 104.7: Approximately 104.7 boys are born for every 100 girls — a biological constant. More boys are born, which offsets higher male mortality later in life.
- Ages 0-18 — 104.8: The male advantage persists through childhood. Boys outnumber girls across all youth age groups.
- Ages 25-34 — 106-107: The peak male ratio years. Men are less likely to have married and left the workforce-entry phase. Immigration also skews male in working-age groups.
- Ages 45-59 — 99-100: The crossover zone. Male mortality from accidents, heart disease, and occupational hazards gradually erodes the male surplus. By 45-49, the ratio is approximately 99.
- Ages 60-64 — 94.6: Women begin to outnumber men. The crossover is complete. Heart disease, which kills men at higher rates in middle age, has accumulated its toll.
- Ages 85+ — 57.5: Women dramatically outnumber men. For every 100 women aged 85+, there are only 57.5 men. Women aged 85+ outnumber men 2 to 1. Among centenarians, 3 to 1.
Why Male to Female Ratios Differ So Much by State — Industry, Military, Age, and Incarceration
The 20-point spread between Alaska (110.6) and DC (90.6) is driven by four primary factors that operate differently across states. Industry structure is the most powerful driver: states with dominant oil, gas, mining, agriculture, military, and construction industries attract disproportionately more male workers, while states with education, healthcare, government, and professional services economies attract more women. This alone explains most of the East-West divide in U.S. sex ratios.
Military concentration creates measurable local effects. States with large active duty military populations, Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado, North Dakota (missile wings), Kansas (Fort Riley), Virginia (Norfolk), show higher male ratios. However, the effect is moderated in some cases by the large female civilian workforce near military bases. Incarceration reduces civilian male populations in states with high imprisonment rates.
States like Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia have both high incarceration rates and low sex ratios, reducing the civilian male count relative to female. Age structure amplifies everything: states with older populations (Maine, Florida, Pennsylvania) have more female-skewed ratios because women live longer. The U.S. economic context behind these demographic patterns is in our U.S. GDP analysis.
U.S. Male to Female Ratio — Key Statistics and Facts 2026
Frequently Asked Questions — Male to Female Ratio by U.S. State 2026
Alaska leads with 110.6 males per 100 females, the highest of any state. Driven by oil and gas (North Slope), military (JBER, Fort Wainwright), commercial fishing, and construction. Second: North Dakota (105.1, Bakken oil fields). Third: Wyoming (104.5, mining and ranching). Source: World Population Review, U.S. Census Bureau 2024.
The District of Columbia (90.6) has the lowest ratio. Among the 50 states: Delaware (93.9), then Mississippi (94.2), Alabama (94.4), South Carolina (94.8) and Maryland (94.8). DC's female majority reflects its government, nonprofit, and professional services economy. Source: World Population Review 2026.
The U.S. national sex ratio is 101.015 males per 100 females in 2026. Total: 175.40M males and 173.64M females, 1.76 million more men. The U.S. has the 7th largest male surplus globally. This is a reversal from most of the 20th century, when women outnumbered men. Source: StatisticsTimes US Demographics 2026.
The crossover occurs around age 60-64, where the ratio drops to approximately 94.6 males per 100 females. By 65-69, there are five fewer men per 100 women. By 85+, just 57.5 males per 100 females. Among centenarians, women outnumber men 3 to 1. Men lead from birth (104.7) through their peak at age 30-34 (107.3). Source: StatisticsTimes 2026.
15-16 states have more men than women (ratio above 100): Alaska, North Dakota, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Utah, Colorado, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Nebraska, Hawaii, Kansas, Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin (100.3). All remaining 34-35 states plus DC have more women than men. Source: World Population Review 2026.
Western states dominate the top of the male ratio ranking because their economies center on male-dominated industries: oil and gas (Alaska, North Dakota), mining (Wyoming, Montana), agriculture and ranching (South Dakota, Montana), military (Alaska, Hawaii, Colorado), and construction (Nevada). These industries attract and employ disproportionately more male workers, shifting the residential population balance. Source: World Population Review, U.S. Census Bureau.
Southern states like Alabama (94.4), Mississippi (94.2), Louisiana (95.8), and Georgia (95.2) have female majorities due to: higher male mortality rates (widest gender life expectancy gaps in the U.S.), high male incarceration rates, urbanization drawing women to cities for education and careers, and the absence of male-dominated extractive industries. Source: World Population Review, DataPandas.org, U.S. Census Bureau.
The U.S. unmarried population shows only 89.8 unmarried men per 100 unmarried women, single women significantly outnumber single men. However, at age 30-34, the ratio flips to 120.8 unmarried men per 100 women, because men marry later (median age 30.1) than women (28.2). Source: The Global Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2019-2023.
Yes. Incarceration reduces civilian male populations, particularly in states with high imprisonment rates. States like Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Georgia have both high incarceration rates and low male to female ratios. Incarcerated individuals are predominantly male. Their removal from community population counts reduces the civilian male ratio, especially in urban areas where they originally lived. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Prison Policy Initiative.
Women consistently outnumbered men in the U.S. for most of the 20th century. In 2026, the U.S. has 101.015 males per 100 females, a male majority. The shift reflects: improved male life expectancy, reduced workplace deaths, immigration bringing more working-age men, and declining birth rates (which disproportionately reduce the youngest female cohorts). Source: StatisticsTimes 2026, The Global Statistics.
The 30-34 age group has the highest ratio at 107.3 males per 100 females in 2026. This peak reflects the biological male birth surplus combined with immigration patterns that bring more working-age men. The male advantage persists through all age groups to approximately 59, then reverses. By 85+, only 57.5 men per 100 women. Source: StatisticsTimes US Sex Ratio 2026.
The U.S. ratio of 101.015 males per 100 females places it 175th globally in female-to-male ratio. The U.S. has the 7th largest male surplus in absolute terms (1.76M). Countries with extreme male majorities include Qatar (267/100, male migrant workers), UAE, and Bahrain. Most Western European countries still show slight female majorities. Source: StatisticsTimes 2026.
The U.S. birth sex ratio is 104.7 boys per 100 girls, a natural biological constant observed worldwide. This male birth surplus is necessary to maintain gender balance across the lifespan given higher male mortality. By the time these cohorts reach age 60, the male surplus has been eroded by differential mortality. Source: CDC National Vital Statistics 2024, StatisticsTimes 2026.