A new study by student travel company Rustic Pathways reveals which U.S. states have the most passport holders — and which are falling behind — based on passport issuance data from 2015 to 2024.
Leading the country is New Jersey, where 68.1% of residents hold a valid U.S. passport. Close behind are New York (64.6%) and Massachusetts (64.3%). California ranks fourth, with 62.7% of its residents ready to travel abroad, followed closely by Connecticut (59.6%). Other top-ranking states include Hawaii, Maryland, Alaska, Colorado and New Hampshire.
On the other end of the spectrum is Mississippi, where just 20.6% of residents have a valid passport — the lowest rate in the country.
Rustic Pathways based its analysis on passport issuance over the last decade and the percentage of each state’s population that received a passport in 2024. The study also considered how many passport-issuing facilities are located in each state.
So, why the disparity?
“With so many vacation options in the U.S., many Americans don’t feel the need to travel outside of the country,” said Shayne Fitz-Coy, CEO of Rustic Pathways.
But in states like New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts, the higher rates of passport ownership suggest a greater interest in international experiences.
The findings offer valuable insights for travel advisors. States with higher passport ownership often correlate with stronger demand for international travel, making them prime targets for marketing trips abroad.
“Even within Florida I see a huge difference in the amount of international trips I book for clients in Miami as opposed to northern Florida, where less of my clients have passports and tend to book domestic travel more often,” said Natalia Yepes, founder of Adventuresque Travel Boutique. “I think it's very savvy for advisors to focus their marketing efforts on these locations if this is their niche.”
For clients in low-passport states, Yepes notes that international travel may feel logistically overwhelming — especially with fewer direct flights and a lack of familiarity with the process. Still, she sees opportunity for advisors.
“If you’re located in a low-passport state, you can begin educating your community on the benefits of international travel,” Yepes said. “Host local events that highlight destinations with easy access from your area. Plus, you may benefit from having less competition in the market.”
Whether guiding seasoned globetrotters or helping clients plan their first international trip, advisors should factor these regional trends into their client outreach and use passport data to better understand where interest is high and where untapped potential remains.
