Discover Fastest and Slowest Talking States in America

Have you ever had a conversation with someone who speaks so quickly that it leaves you dizzy? You might find yourself saying phrases like, “He really talks a mile a minute!” or “That guy talks a blue streak,” which highlights their rapid-fire delivery. In British English, a similar sentiment is expressed with the phrase “talks nineteen to the dozen,” suggesting that the speaker is cramming 19 words into a space where only 12 would fit.

On the flip side, you might have encountered individuals who interpret the biblical advice to “be swift to hear but slow to speak” quite literally, often taking their time to share their thoughts. In the Southern U.S., people have a colorful way of expressing this, saying such speakers “talk as slow as molasses in January,” conjuring up a vivid image of thick syrup barely moving on a chilly day.

Are you interested in English lessons or curious about the unique ways people speak across the U.S.? You’re in the right spot! We’ve delved into two extensive studies that analyzed YouTube videos and call recordings to pinpoint which U.S. cities, states, and regions have the fastest and slowest speakers. Our research ranks average speech rates from 114 cities across all 50 states. Explore our findings below to uncover the fascinating variations in speech patterns across the country—discover where conversations flow at lightning speed and where they take a more leisurely pace!

Key findings

• The average rate of speech among U.S. states is 5.09 syllables per second
• The U.S. state with the fastest average speech rate is Minnesota at 5.34 syllables per second
• The U.S. state with the slowest average rate of speech is Louisiana at 4.78 syllables per second
• The U.S. city with the fastest average rate of speech is Portland, Oregon, at 5.38 syllables per second
• The U.S. city with the slowest average speech rate is Peoria, Illinois, at 4.71 syllables per second

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The U.S. states with the fastest talkers

If you thought fast-talking New Yorkers would top the list, think again—they don’t even crack the top ten! Instead, the title of the fastest-talking state in America goes to Minnesota, famously known as the Land of 1,000 Lakes, with an impressive average of 5.34 syllables per second. Just behind is Oregon, the Beaver State, averaging 5.33 syllables per second. Tied for third place are Iowa and Kansas, both at 5.30 syllables per second.

Fastest talking states based on average syllables per second

Surprisingly, the Midwest is home to six of the 10 fastest-talking states in the U.S., including Minnesota, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska. This heartland region is often overlooked when it comes to speedy speech, but the data reveals a fascinating truth: the Midwest boasts a unique linguistic dynamism that goes beyond its reputation for agriculture and industry.

The Northeast, home to Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont, ranks as the second most popular U.S. region for fast talkers. This aligns with the common stereotype of northerners leading fast-paced lives, though some may anticipate seeing more states from this region on the list. Interestingly, the West features only Oregon as its representative, yet it impressively claims the overall second-place spot for rapid speech.

In contrast, the Southeast and Southwest are the only U.S. regions not represented among the fastest-speaking states, supporting the common stereotype of southerners as slow talkers. Florida holds the title for the fastest speech rate in the South, ranking 16th overall with an average of 5.19 syllables per second. However, it still falls short of making the top 10 list for the quickest talking states.

The U.S. cities with the fastest talkers

Portland, Oregon, proudly claims the title of the fastest-talking city in America, averaging an impressive 5.38 syllables per second. Hot on its heels is Denver, Colorado, known as the Mile High City, with a close average of 5.35 syllables per second. Sioux Falls, South Dakota, dubbed The Gateway to the Plains, takes third place at 5.34 syllables per second. Meanwhile, Jacksonville, Florida, and Springfield, Massachusetts, tie for fourth, both clocking in at 5.32 syllables per second.

The list of the 10 fastest talking cities closely mirrors, but does not perfectly match, the 10 fastest talking states. Notably, the Midwest dominates the cities ranked for rapid speech, with towns primarily found in states like Minnesota, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, known for their high speech rates. Additionally, Madison, Wisconsin, contributes to the region's representation in this fast-talking trend.

The West boasts Oregon's largest city, Portland, along with Colorado's bustling capital, Denver. In comparison, the Northeast has only one representative, Springfield in Massachusetts, after losing Vermont and New Hampshire from the rankings. Interestingly, the Southeastern region makes its mark with quick speakers from Jacksonville, Florida, who land the area on the list of fastest talkers.

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The U.S. states with the slowest talkers

If you guessed that the Southern states would top the list of the slowest speakers, you're absolutely correct! Louisiana claims the crown for the slowest talking state, with an average of just 4.78 syllables per second. Close behind is South Carolina, known as the Palmetto State, where residents speak at an average of 4.80 syllables per second. Following closely in third place is Mississippi, the birthplace of American blues music, with a rate of 4.82 syllables per second.

Slowest talking states based on average syllables per second

Southern regions of the U.S. are home to the slowest talking states in the nation. According to the chart above, nine out of the ten slowest states are situated in the South. Notably, the Southeast features seven states—Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Arkansas, and North Carolina—while the Southwest contributes two states: New Mexico and Texas. It seems that the relaxed pace of southern living extends even to the way people speak.

The only other region featured on the chart is the Midwest, represented solely by Illinois. This isn't particularly surprising, especially since America's Heartland is known for having some of the fastest speaking states and cities. Interestingly, the Northeast and the West are entirely absent from the list of the slowest speaking states. You might be surprised to discover that New York, located in the Northeast, ranks #14 overall, speaking even slower on average than Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia. Stay tuned, as we'll delve deeper into this common misconception about New Yorkers later on!

The U.S. cities with the slowest talkers

In a surprising twist, the title of the slowest talking city in the U.S. goes to Peoria, Illinois, where residents average just 4.71 syllables per second. Following closely is Huntsville, Alabama—also known as the Rocket City—at 4.73 syllables per second. Albuquerque, New Mexico, ranks third with an average of 4.74 syllables per second. Rounding out the list are Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and Atlanta, Georgia, both averaging 4.75 syllables per second.

The latest rankings of the top 10 slowest talking cities closely align with those of the slowest talking states, highlighting a strong Southern influence. Most of these cities are located in the Southwest, specifically New Mexico and Texas, and the Southeast, which includes Alabama, North Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. The only exceptions are Louisiana and Arkansas.

The Midwest, particularly two towns in Illinois—Peoria and Joliet—maintains its distinction as one of the slowest-speaking regions in the U.S. Interestingly, despite bordering Kentucky, neither of these towns is near that southern border. Peoria is centrally located in Illinois, while Joliet lies just 35 miles south of Chicago in the northeast. This suggests that the residents here haven't adopted the rapid speech patterns of their faster-talking Midwestern neighbors.

What about the stereotype about New Yorkers?

While New Yorkers are frequently labeled as fast talkers, research indicates that this stereotype is misleading. Studies reveal that residents of New York actually use more words in conversation—up to 62% more in business discussions—compared to people from other states. This tendency for verbosity can easily be mistaken for rapid speech, contributing to the misconception that New Yorkers talk at lightning speed.

Contrary to popular belief, New Yorkers actually speak at a slower pace than many might think. Our analysis of speech rates across 114 U.S. cities reveals that three towns in New York rank lower on the scale: Buffalo comes in at #62 with an average of 5.05 syllables per second, Syracuse at #71 with 5.02, and Rochester at #77 with 5.00. Overall, New York State is positioned at #37 nationwide, averaging just 4.99 syllables per second. So, it's time to put to rest the stereotype of New Yorkers as speedy talkers!

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Who talks the most (and the least)?

As highlighted earlier, studies on speech patterns in the United States reveal that New Yorkers are the most talkative residents, using more words to express similar ideas compared to others. California follows closely in second place, while New Jersey secures third. Rounding out the top five most loquacious states are Nevada and Maryland in fourth and fifth place, respectively.

On the other hand, Iowans take pride in their reputation for being the least talkative state in the U.S. In fact, the top four states known for their brevity all hail from the Midwest: Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Kansas. This emphasis on straightforward communication seems to reflect a true Midwestern value. Close behind, in fifth place for succinctness, are the residents of Oklahoma, where the strong, silent cowboys and cowgirls embody the spirit of few words.

Conclusion 

Speech rates vary widely, and adapting your pace can be advantageous in different contexts. For example, speaking quickly can enhance your persuasiveness during debates or when energizing an audience. On the other hand, a slower pace can clarify complex concepts and foster deeper connections with new people.

Ultimately, whether you're a native speaker, refining your skills with an English conversation tutor, or embarking on the journey of learning a new language, the essence of speaking lies in effective communication. By adjusting your speech rate to suit different situations, you can enhance your ability to convey your message clearly. Embrace this skill, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a master communicator!

Methodology

To uncover the cities with the fastest talkers, LingualNeeds conducted an in-depth analysis using two comprehensive national studies to rank 114 cities. The first study, led by Steven Coat, examined articulation rates by analyzing caption files from YouTube videos. The second study utilized Marchex Call DNA Technology, analyzing speech rates from over four million phone calls. These studies aimed to assess speech rates and patterns across various regions, both large and small, throughout the United States. LingualNeeds then leveraged this data to compare speech patterns nationwide, highlighting the fascinating variations in how Americans communicate.