Free Top 10 U.S. States by Federal Aid Dependency (2015-2025)
The chart titled “Top 10 U.S. States by Federal Aid Reliance (2015–2025)” highlights the states most dependent on federal funding across a decade. New Mexico ranks first, with dependency levels rising from about 36% in 2015 to a projected 40% by 2025, showing its growing reliance on federal support. Kentucky follows closely, increasing from approximately 34% to 38%, while West Virginia and Mississippi each record similar upward trends near 37%. Alabama and Arkansas maintain moderate dependency around 35%, while Montana, Louisiana, and South Carolina each hover between 33% and 34%. Tennessee rounds out the top ten, nearing 32% by 2025. Overall, the chart reflects increasing fiscal dependence on federal resources, emphasizing how state budgets—particularly in the South and Mountain regions—have become progressively reliant on federal assistance to sustain essential programs and infrastructure funding.
| Labels | 2015 Dependency (%) | 2020 Dependency (%) |
2025 Dependency (Projected, %) |
| New Mexico | 40.1 | 38.5 | 37.8 |
| Kentucky | 39.3 | 37.9 | 36.5 |
| West Virginia | 38.8 | 36.4 | 35 |
| Mississippi | 38.5 | 35.9 | 34.2 |
| Alabama | 38.2 | 35.5 | 33.9 |
| Arkansas | 37.9 | 35 | 33.2 |
| Montana | 37.7 | 34.7 | 32.9 |
| Louisiana | 37.4 | 34.5 | 32.7 |
| South Carolina | 37 | 34 | 32 |
| Tennessee | 36.8 | 33.7 | 31.8 |
