Wyoming Keeps It Clean: Ranks 6th Lowest in the US for STD Rates

Here’s something you don’t hear every day — Wyoming just landed a top-10 national ranking, and no, it’s not about rodeos, elk, or wide open spaces. It’s about STDs — or more accurately, not having many, Wyoming News Now reports.

A recent analysis by Invigor Medical using the latest CDC data shows Wyoming has the sixth lowest sexually transmitted disease (STD) rate in the country. That puts the Cowboy State in rare company when it comes to keeping things clean between the sheets.

Here’s how Wyoming stacks up:

• Total STD cases per 100,000: 368.9 (national average: 746.7)
• Chlamydia: 313.2 per 100k
• Gonorrhea: 42.3 per 100k
• Syphilis: 9.2 per 100k
• HIV: 4.2 per 100k

That’s less than half the national infection rate across the board. For context, Louisiana and Mississippi top the charts with over 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

Wyoming’s relatively low case counts might surprise some, but experts say the reasons go beyond just geography.

There’s no single reason — but demographics, density, and access to care all play a role.

Compared to states with high case counts, Wyoming:

• Has a smaller, more rural population – fewer people, fewer encounters.
• Is older on average – STD rates drop significantly with age.
• May see fewer systemic barriers to testing and care, especially compared to underserved populations elsewhere.

That said, Wyoming still reported 1,829 cases of Chlamydia last year — so it’s not immune. But it’s a far cry from the 1.6 million cases reported nationwide.

Nationwide, STDs have been rising sharply for over a decade. In 2013, there were 1.8 million new infections. By 2023, that number ballooned to 2.5 million. The sharpest spike? Syphilis, which increased more than sixfold in 10 years.

Some good news: recent data hints at a possible slowdown, with Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and HIV rates starting to level off. But public health experts say it’s too early to call it a trend.

The national numbers also reveal deeper disparities:

• Young women under 25 are the most diagnosed group.
• Black Americans experience STD rates seven times higher than White Americans.
• Native communities face high rates due to systemic healthcare gaps, particularly in places like South Dakota.

Wyoming may not be perfect — but when it comes to STD rates, it’s doing something right. Whether it’s the sparse population, better access to care, or just good ol’ fashioned common sense, the state’s staying off the national “hotspot” list — and that’s worth celebrating.

Still, health experts say awareness, education, and regular testing remain key to keeping those numbers low.