Series 3: Per Capita Data, States and Regional

This data was last updated on: February 14, 2021

Figures 3-1 thru 3-9 follow a pattern. These appear in series of three charts. The first chart of each series is a dot plot of data per state per 100K people in each respective state. The second chart of each series is a histogram showing distribution of data by grouping states within a range of values for the variable being plotted. The third chart of each series is a box plot for the variable being measured. Box plots describe distributions based on the following values of the data: the median; the minimum; the maximum; the 1st and third quartiles, and the range of data. Box plots can also show outlier data points.

The final set of three charts show region distribution of per capita data.

Covid Testing per 100K population (Figures 3-1 thru Figure 3-3)

Figure 3-1 shows the number of COVID tests performed for every 100K people in each state. Data is sorted from most test per capita to least tests per capita. Over time Nevada, Rhode Island, Alaska and Massachusetts have consistently tested their populations at much higher rates than most other states. In this instance, being an outlier (on the high side) is good.

Figure 3-2 is an histogram showing the distribution of all states gathered in data range bins based on how many tests per 100K people each state performs. Aside from an outlier like Rhode Island, it appears to be a normal distribution pattern biased towards the right (high) side.

Figure 3-3 is a box plot showing the same distribution of the data in the previous two figures in an alternative form. Here, the four states mentioned about are shown as outliers, that is they perform far more tests than the other 47 states including the District of Columbia.

Positive Cases per 100K population (Figures 3-4 thru Figure 3-6)

Figure 3-4 shows the number of COVID cases for every 100K people in each state. Data is sorted from most cases per capita to least cases per capita. North Dakota is an outlier on the high side of this statistic: the experience higher rates of COVID per person than most states. On the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii, Vermont, Maine and Oregon all experience less cases per person than most states. All of these states are relatively isolated or not densely populated.

Figure 3-5 is an histogram showing the distribution of all states gathered in data range bins based on how many COVID cases per 100K people in each state. The histogram appears to show a normal distribution pattern biased somewhat towards the left (fewer cases).

Figure 3-6 is a box plot showing the same distribution of the data in the previous a box plot. North Dakota has consistently been a high case rate outlier in this statistic for the past month at least. Likewise, Hawaii, Vermont, Maine and Oregon have been consistent low case rate outliers for at least a month.

Cumulative Deaths per 100K population (Figures 3-7 thru Figure 3-9)

Figure 3-7 shows the number of deaths attributed to COVID-19 for every 100K people in each state. Data is sorted from most deaths per capita to least deaths per capita. Over time, primarily due to their large populations and the early impacts caused by the pandemic last spring, many Northeast states appear on the high end of this dreadful statistic.

Figure 3-8 is an histogram showing the distribution of all states gathered in data range bins based on how many deaths per 100K people each state has suffered. It displays a normal distribution pattern.

Figure 3-9 is a box plot showing the same distribution of the data in the previous two figures in an alternative form. No state appears as an outlier in this data set.

Regional Distributions per 100K population: Testing / COVID Cases / Deaths
(Figures 3-10 thru 3-12)

Similar to the regional charts shown in the Series 2 datasets, we’ve plotted the three data sets shown above into regional strip plots in Figures 3-10 thru 3-12.

Figure 3-10 shows the number of COVID tests given for each test for every 100K of their populations. In general, states in the northeastern quadrant of the United States are testing their populations at a higher rate than the rest of the country with exceptions. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states test above the median. Most of the Great Lakes states do as well.

Figure 3-11 illustrates that the highest COVID case rates per 100K residents occur mostly in the central part of the country from north-to-south. This includes the Great Lakes regions, along with the Upper Midwest, South Central, Southwest and Mountain regions as well.

Figure 3-12 shows the East, Midwest (including Great Lakes states) and South Central states have the highest death rates. The Pacific states (in general) have relatively low death rates associated with COVID.

State Distributions per 100K population: Testing / COVID Cases / Deaths
(Figures 3-13 thru 3-15)

The maps below were last updated with data on February 11, 2021.

Figures 3-13 through 3-15 show similar data to what is shown in Figures 3-10 to 3-12, except the data takes the form of choropleth maps. These maps include relative per capita rates for total COVID testing, total positive COVID cases, and total COVID-related deaths at the state level.

Click on any map to expand it.