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Mapped: The Average Elevation of Every U.S. State
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Key Takeaways
- Colorado (6,800 ft), Wyoming (6,700 ft), and Utah (6,100 ft) have the highest average elevations in the U.S.
- The 10 highest-elevation states are all located in the Western U.S., highlighting a sharp geographic divide.
- Nearly half of U.S. states sit below 1,000 ft in elevation, concentrated in the East and South.
How high above sea level is your state?
From the Rocky Mountains to the coastal plains, elevation varies dramatically across the United States. This map ranks all 50 states by average elevation, based on data from the USGS via the U.S. Census Statistical Abstract.
The result is a clear west-to-east divide, shaped by tectonic forces over millions of years.
Ranked: U.S. States by Elevation
With an average elevation of 6,800 feet, Colorado ranks highest.
This is not just due to its peaks, but because much of the state sits at high altitude. Colorado is also home to some of the highest incorporated places in the country, including Alma (10,578 feet), while Denver’s elevation of 5,280 feet has earned it the nickname the “Mile High City.”
Wyoming and Utah, at 6,700 and 6,100 feet respectively, follow. All three states are located in the Rocky Mountain region and share borders.
| State | Average Elevation (ft) |
|---|---|
| Colorado | 6,800 |
| Wyoming | 6,700 |
| Utah | 6,100 |
| New Mexico | 5,700 |
| Nevada | 5,500 |
| Idaho | 5,000 |
| Arizona | 4,100 |
| Montana | 3,400 |
| Oregon | 3,300 |
| Hawaii | 3,030 |
| California | 2,900 |
| Nebraska | 2,600 |
| South Dakota | 2,200 |
| Kansas | 2,000 |
| North Dakota | 1,900 |
| Alaska | 1,900 |
| Texas | 1,700 |
| Washington | 1,700 |
| West Virginia | 1,500 |
| Oklahoma | 1,300 |
| Minnesota | 1,200 |
| Iowa | 1,100 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,100 |
| Wisconsin | 1,050 |
| Vermont | 1,000 |
| New York | 1,000 |
| New Hampshire | 1,000 |
| Virginia | 950 |
| Michigan | 900 |
| Tennessee | 900 |
| Ohio | 850 |
| Missouri | 800 |
| Kentucky | 750 |
| Indiana | 700 |
| North Carolina | 700 |
| Arkansas | 650 |
| Illinois | 600 |
| Georgia | 600 |
| Maine | 600 |
| Connecticut | 500 |
| Alabama | 500 |
| Massachusetts | 500 |
| Maryland | 350 |
| South Carolina | 350 |
| Mississippi | 300 |
| New Jersey | 250 |
| Rhode Island | 200 |
| Florida | 100 |
| Louisiana | 100 |
| Delaware | 60 |
California has an average elevation of 2,900 feet, but also has significant topographical variation.
The Golden State is home to Mount Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous U.S. at 14,505 feet, and Death Valley, the lowest point in North America at 282 feet below sea level.
Meanwhile, 23 states have an average elevation below 1,000 feet. About half are located in the South, which is also home to some of the country’s fastest-sinking cities.
Houston, TX, for example, is sinking faster than any other large city in America. Groundwater pumping plays a key role in land subsidence, compounded by its low elevation of 55 feet.
States With the Lowest Elevation
With an average elevation of just 60 feet, Delaware ranks lowest nationally.
It is followed by Louisiana and Florida, each with an average elevation of about 100 feet. Many of the lowest-elevation states cluster along the Gulf Coast and Atlantic seaboard, where flat terrain meets rising seas.
In many ways, elevation is more than a geographic statistic—it plays a growing role in climate resilience, urban planning, and infrastructure risk. Lower-lying states face increasing exposure to coastal flooding and sea-level rise driven by climate change.
Meanwhile, higher-elevation states face their own challenges, including water scarcity, wildfire risk, and harsher climate conditions. Understanding elevation patterns helps explain not just where Americans live, but how environmental risks are distributed across the country.
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