The chart highlights the top 20 U.S. states with the most significant rise in public debt from 2020 to 2025, showing a steady increase across all major states due to infrastructure expansion and economic recovery programs. California records the steepest climb from $5 billion in 2020 to $32 billion in 2025, followed closely by New York, which rises from $6.7 billion to $35 billion. Texas and Florida also see dramatic increases, both reaching $32 billion and $31 billion, respectively. Illinois, Pennsylvania, and Ohio experience moderate but substantial growth, ending at $33 billion, $31 billion, and $30 billion. Other states such as Michigan ($28.5B), New Jersey ($28B), and Georgia ($29.5B) show similar upward trends. Meanwhile, Maryland, Wisconsin, and Missouri exhibit smaller yet consistent increases, peaking at $22–23 billion by 2025. Overall, the data underscores a national surge in state debt, reflecting rising fiscal demands and investment in development initiatives.
| Year | California | Texas | Florida | New York | Illinois | Pennsylvania | Ohio | Georgia | North Carolina | Michigan | New Jersey | Virginia | Washington | Arizona | Massachusetts | Tennessee | Indiana | Missouri | Maryland | Wisconsin |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 5 | 3.2 | 4.1 | 6.7 | 4.3 | 2.9 | 3.7 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 4 | 3.8 | 3.6 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.1 | 3 | 2.8 |
| 2021 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 10 | 7.8 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 6.6 | 7.5 | 6.9 | 7 | 7.3 | 6.8 | 7 | 6.4 | 7.1 | 6.2 | 6 | 5.8 |
| 2022 | 13 | 11.5 | 12 | 14.5 | 11.3 | 10 | 11.1 | 10 | 9.9 | 10.8 | 10.1 | 10.3 | 10.5 | 10.4 | 10.3 | 10 | 10.7 | 9.5 | 9.1 | 8.9 |
| 2023 | 19 | 17.8 | 18.5 | 20 | 18 | 17 | 16.9 | 16.5 | 16 | 16.3 | 16.5 | 16 | 15.5 | 15 | 15.9 | 15.5 | 15 | 14.5 | 14 | 13.7 |
| 2024 | 25 | 24.5 | 24 | 27 | 25 | 24 | 23.5 | 23 | 22.8 | 22.7 | 22.5 | 21 | 21.2 | 20.5 | 21 | 20.5 | 20 | 19.5 | 19 | 18.5 |
| 2025 | 32 | 32 | 31 | 35 | 33 | 31 | 30 | 29.5 | 29 | 28.5 | 28 | 26 | 26.5 | 25.5 | 25 | 24.5 | 24 | 23 | 22.5 | 22 |
