How many Americans have a valid passport, and which states have the highest number of passport holders? A state-by-state comparison reveals a striking difference in international travel readiness across the United States.
According to estimates for 2024, approximately 53.1% of US citizens held a valid passport. This means that nearly half of the country’s citizen population did not have a current passport.
New Jersey leads the national ranking, with an estimated passport ownership rate of 79.9%. California, Massachusetts and New York also have some of the highest rates. At the other end, West Virginia has the lowest ownership rate at 20.7%, followed by Mississippi at 22.1%.
The findings highlight how international travel participation varies across American states.
How Many Americans Have a Valid Passport?
An estimated 53.1% of US citizens had a valid passport in 2024. In comparison, approximately 46.9%, or 146 million citizens, did not have one.
Passport ownership has increased considerably over the past several decades. In 1990, only around one in 20 Americans held a passport. Today, more than half of the country’s citizens have one.
The growing number of passport holders reflects the increasing importance of international travel, overseas family connections, education, business and tourism.
However, passport ownership is not evenly distributed. Some states have significantly higher ownership rates than others, creating a wide gap between the country’s leading and lowest-ranking states.
Top 10 US States With the Highest Passport Ownership
New Jersey ranks first among all 50 states, with 79.9% of its citizen population estimated to hold a valid US passport.
The Northeast and West Coast dominate the top positions. California, Massachusetts and New York each have passport ownership rates above 70%.
Here are the 10 states with the highest estimated passport ownership rates in 2024.
| Rank | State | Passport Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Jersey | 79.9% |
| 2 | California | 71.8% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 71.2% |
| 4 | New York | 71.1% |
| 5 | Connecticut | 65.1% |
| 6 | Maryland | 64.1% |
| 7 | Colorado | 62.5% |
| 8 | Washington | 61.4% |
| 9 | Hawaii | 60.4% |
| 10 | Utah | 60.2% |
New Jersey’s leading position is particularly notable. Its estimated passport ownership rate is almost four times that of West Virginia, the lowest-ranked state.
Utah is another interesting entry in the top 10. It ranks ahead of several larger states, including Florida, Texas and Illinois.
States With the Lowest Passport Ownership Rates
At the other end of the ranking, several states have passport ownership rates below 30%.
West Virginia has the lowest estimated rate at 20.7%. Mississippi follows at 22.1%, while Alabama, Arkansas and Kentucky also rank near the bottom.
These figures suggest that international travel participation differs considerably across the country.
The 10 states with the lowest passport ownership rates are:
| Rank | State | Passport Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| 41 | Ohio | 37.0% |
| 42 | Indiana | 35.5% |
| 43 | Tennessee | 35.4% |
| 44 | Oklahoma | 33.1% |
| 45 | Louisiana | 30.4% |
| 46 | Kentucky | 29.0% |
| 47 | Arkansas | 28.4% |
| 48 | Alabama | 27.7% |
| 49 | Mississippi | 22.1% |
| 50 | West Virginia | 20.7% |
The gap between New Jersey and West Virginia is substantial. While nearly eight in 10 citizens in New Jersey have a valid passport, the figure in West Virginia is closer to two in 10.
Where Do Florida, Texas and Illinois Rank?
Some of the most populous US states do not appear at the very top of the passport ownership ranking.
Florida ranks 12th, with an estimated ownership rate of 59.9%. Illinois comes in 14th at 56.6%, while Texas ranks 20th at 54.8%.
Although these states have large populations and major international airports, their passport ownership percentages remain below those of New Jersey, California and several other northeastern states.
Here is how some other major states compare:
| State | Rank | Passport Ownership |
|---|---|---|
| Florida | 12 | 59.9% |
| Illinois | 14 | 56.6% |
| Texas | 20 | 54.8% |
| Arizona | 22 | 48.3% |
| Georgia | 25 | 47.8% |
| Pennsylvania | 26 | 46.1% |
| North Carolina | 30 | 43.7% |
| Michigan | 36 | 39.7% |
| Ohio | 41 | 37.0% |
These figures show that a state’s population size does not necessarily determine its passport ownership rate.
Why Does Passport Ownership Vary Across US States?
There is no single explanation for the differences in passport ownership across American states. Several economic, social and geographic factors may influence whether residents apply for and maintain valid passports.
1. Household Income
International travel can involve significant expenses, including flights, accommodation, transportation and travel insurance.
People with higher disposable incomes may have more opportunities to travel overseas, which can increase demand for passports.
The Visual Capitalist analysis also highlights the connection between international travel and household income.
2. International Family Connections
States with large immigrant communities and residents who have family members abroad may have greater demand for international travel.
People may need passports to visit relatives, attend family events or maintain connections with their countries of origin.
3. International Travel Opportunities
The availability of international flights and convenient airport connections can influence travel decisions.
States with major international airports may offer residents more opportunities to travel overseas, although airport access alone does not determine passport ownership.
4. Employment and Education
International business, overseas education, professional conferences and work-related travel can create additional reasons to obtain a passport.
People working in globally connected industries may be more likely to need travel documents.
These factors can help explain differences, but the state-level figures alone do not prove that any single factor causes higher or lower passport ownership.
International Travel Among Americans Continues to Grow
Passport ownership has increased significantly since 1990, reflecting the changing travel habits of Americans.
According to the figures highlighted in the Visual Capitalist analysis, international departures by Americans reached a record 107.7 million in 2024.
Of these departures, approximately 53.8 million were to overseas destinations. Travel to overseas countries was around 20% higher than in 2019.
The United Kingdom, Italy and France were among the popular international destinations.
The figures demonstrate the importance of overseas travel to American tourism and the wider travel industry.
How Much Do Americans Spend on International Travel?
International travel also represents a significant economic activity.
The analysis reports that the average US overseas air traveller in 2024 had a household income of approximately $163,000.
These travellers spent an average of $1,907 abroad per trip, excluding international transportation.
This suggests that overseas travel remains closely connected with household financial resources.
However, these figures describe average overseas air travellers and should not be treated as representative of every American passport holder.
What Does This Passport Data Actually Measure?
An important distinction is that the ranking measures estimated passport ownership as a percentage of each state’s citizen population.
It does not measure the total number of passports issued during 2024 alone, nor does it show how frequently residents travel internationally.
The estimates use historical US Department of State passport issuance records and analysis by the Center for American Progress to approximate the number of valid passports held.
The figures include citizens who are children as well as adults. Therefore, the ranking is a measure of passport ownership across the citizen population, not just the percentage of adults who travel.
This distinction is important when interpreting the state rankings.
Conclusion
The 2024 passport ownership comparison reveals a significant gap across the United States.
New Jersey leads the country with 79.9% of its citizens estimated to hold valid passports, while West Virginia ranks last at 20.7%. California, Massachusetts and New York also have some of the highest ownership rates.
Nationally, approximately 53.1% of US citizens held valid passports, leaving an estimated 146 million without one.
The findings highlight how international travel participation differs across states. Income, family connections, employment opportunities and access to international travel may all play a role.
As overseas travel continues to grow, passport ownership remains an interesting indicator of how connected Americans are to the wider world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which US state has the highest passport ownership rate?
New Jersey ranks first, with an estimated 79.9% of its citizen population holding a valid US passport in 2024.
2. Which US state has the lowest passport ownership?
West Virginia has the lowest estimated passport ownership rate at 20.7%, according to the 2024 comparison.
3. What percentage of Americans have a passport?
An estimated 53.1% of US citizens held a valid passport in 2024.
4. How many Americans do not have a valid passport?
Approximately 146 million US citizens were estimated to lack a valid passport in 2024.
5. What is California’s passport ownership rate?
California ranks second nationally, with an estimated passport ownership rate of 71.8%.
6. What percentage of people in Texas have a passport?
Texas ranks 20th, with an estimated 54.8% of its citizen population holding a valid passport.
7. Why does passport ownership differ between US states?
Differences may be associated with household income, international family connections, employment, education and travel opportunities. The figures do not establish a single cause.
8. Which countries do Americans commonly visit?
The United Kingdom, Italy and France were among the popular overseas destinations identified in the 2024 travel data.
