Tops In The Nation
Millennials in Iowa are the top drinkers in the nation. Let that sink in for just a minute.
According to the “2022 Best & Worst States for Millennials” study, conducted by education research outlet Scholaroo, millennials in Iowa increased their drinking rate by 46 percent this year compared with 2018…making our state the number one place where millennials consume alcohol.
Let’s take a step back and talk about definitions. Remember that millennials are those born between 1981 and 1996…making them between the ages of 26 and 41. They are now the biggest contributors to the economy, and are taking leadership positions in the workplace and in politics.
To be fair, the same study says overall, Iowa is the fifth best state in which to live if you are in that age group, based upon a number of quality of life, employment, and affordability categories. Overall, Minnesota ranks first…with North Dakota just ahead of Iowa, and Wisconsin just behind.
That trio of Iowa, Wisconsin and North Dakota hold down the top three spots, though, when it comes to drinking. Minnesota barely made the top ten.
As with most surveys, it all brings up more questions than it answers. Why is Iowa tops in the nation? I’m going to go with the fact that we have a robust craft brewery, wine, and small-batch spirits industry in the state…so when you have high quality like this all around, you’re going to consume. Better that, than some other reasons folks might snidely suggest.
