Kinkiest US states revealed… is yours on the list?
When talking the birds and the bees feels too awkward or a nagging sex question is too embarrassing to ask, most people turn to the internet for answers.
With the safety of behind a computer screen, the Internet provides endless curiosity. To gauge where the most sexually curious Americans live, sex toy company Peachy analyzed Google search records for sex-related terms and questions.
The searches ranged from sex positions to fetishes, and the results were surprising: the most sex-curious Americans lived in some of the most conservative states.
Peachy CEO Amy Williams said: ‘Curiosity about sex is a natural part of being human, especially in places where open discussions about intimacy can still be considered taboo.
‘At a time when almost everyone has access to the internet, young people can feed their curiosity about certain topics without the shame that comes with asking potentially unacceptable adults questions.’
Conservative strongholds dominated the list of states with the most salacious searches, with Utah taking first place for the most salacious Internet searches with a perfect score of 100.
The state, where roughly 42 percent of people belong to the Mormon church and 59 percent voted Republican in 2024, was most interested in “BDSM, “polyamory” and “voyeurism.”
Similar results were seen in other traditionally conservative states, including Nevada and Georgia.
Just as cultural taboos around sexuality in majority-conservative areas can fuel curiosity online, more progressive attitudes toward sexuality in liberal-leaning states can do the same.
New York and Washington were also among the top five most curious states. Both states are among the most culturally diverse in the country, so it was no surprise to Ms. Williams that they topped the list.
At number two, New York achieved a score of 96.12. Ms Williams said the “naturally curious” state boasts a diverse population and an endless mix of cultural influences which she said encourages openness in all aspects of life, including sexuality.
Nevada took third place with a 90.63. With a population of 3.2 million, Nevada was a battleground in 2024.
Nevada is often associated with the anything-goes mentality of Las Vegas. However, the state is actually a mix of conservative and liberal ideologies. Sparsely populated but highly conservative rural areas cover a significant portion of the state, but most of the population lives in more liberal-oriented cities.
On the one hand, access to sex education could stimulate people’s quest.
Only 36 states and DC require schools to teach sex education to students, and only 26 of those states require the information to be medically accurate.
In Nevada, schools are required to establish a human sexuality course. Still, it is not a requirement for graduation, and parents must provide written permission for their children to participate only a fraction of students are trained.
Washington, on the other hand, takes a much more liberal approach to sex education, taking fourth place with a score of 87.47.
Schools in the Evergreen State are required to teach everyone about safe sex; the curriculum must be medically accurate and include instructions on consent.
This is not to say, however, that there aren’t conservative enclaves in Washington where the most daring searches could come from, Ms. Williams said.
She said, “Even in states with generally progressive attitudes, there can still be disparities in access to education, especially for LGBTQ+ youth.”
The data shows how people are seeking answers for themselves when traditional resources don’t meet their needs, adding that the research highlights the importance of good sex education and open conversations.
Georgia took fifth place with a score of 86.27. The southern state has been dealing with changing demographics and voter engagement for years.
Although historically known as a Republican stronghold, recent elections have revealed a closer political battle between Republicans and Democrats.
Georgia’s sex education programs primarily teach abstinence as the only safe sex measure, meaning hundreds of thousands of children in schools there could be missing out on a crucial curriculum.
Ms Williams said: ‘The data speaks volumes about the way people look for information on their own when traditional sources fall short.
‘This research reminds us of the importance of comprehensive sex education and open conversations.’