You'll Be Surprised What States Have Produced The Most American Presidents

The State Of The Presidency

The president of the United States is meant to represent and work for the people of all 50 states. But did you know that only 21 states have produced men who went on to be the leaders of the country? Not only that, but the states that have given us the most presidents might surprise you. So, where have the presidents come from?

Arkansas: 1

Billed as "The Man From Hope", Bill Clinton (born in Hope, Arkansas) became the first—and so far, the only—president from Arkansas when he was elected to his first term back in 1988.

President Bill Clinton in black suit Bob McNeely, Wikimedia Commons

Georgia: 1

Georgia was one of the 13 original states when America declared its independence, and yet this large Southern state has only given us one president. That being Jimmy Carter, who was elected to his one and only term back in 1976.

Jimmy Carter, official portrait in suit Department of Defense, Wikimedia Commons

Connecticut: 1

It might not surprise you that only one president has come from Connecticut. But who that president was is what will probably be the most shocking—none other than George W Bush. While we all might associate him with the state of Texas, the second Bush president was actually born in New Haven, Connecticut.

George W. Bush in suit Eric Draper, Wikimedia Commons

Hawaii: 1

Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Barack Obama is the only president born outside the contiguous 48 states. Spoiler alert: That means there have been no born-in-Alaska presidents.

From a president who began making his mark in Illinois to one that was born there...

Barack Obama Taking His Oath Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, Wikimedia Commons

Illinois: 1

Ronald Reagan is most associated with California—he was an actor in Hollywood before he was president, after all. It's also where he became governor before moving on to the White House. But looking at his early years, Reagan was actually born in 1911 in Tampico, Illinois.

And speaking of California...

Ronald Reagan's presidential portrait, 1981 Michael Evans, Wikimedia Commons

California: 1

It might be the most populous state in the union, but California has only ever been the birthplace of one president. If you guessed Richard Nixon, you'd be correct. He was born in Yorba Linda.

Richard Nixon in his home town Orange County Archives, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Iowa: 1

Born in West Branch, Iowa on August 10, 1874, Herbert Hoover served one term in office before losing big to FDR due partly to his unimpressive response and handling of the Great Depression.

Herbert Hoover Birthplace Billwhittaker, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky: 1

Kentucky was admitted into the union in 1792—and in the over 200 years since then, the state has only delivered one president. Although, he may just be the greatest president to ever lead the country: Abraham Lincoln.

Abraham Lincoln, . The earliest presidential portrait of Lincoln Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska: 1

Gerald Ford is the only person to ever become president without being elected to either the presidency or vice presidency (he took over as VP after Spiro Agnew resigned, and became president when Nixon resigned). Ford is also the only president to be born in Nebraska.

Gerald Ford sworn in as president Robert L. Knudsen, Wikimedia Commons

Missouri: 1

In the 2020 census, the city population of Lamar Missouri was 4,266. We don't know what it was back in 1884—but we do know that one of the babies born in Lamar that year would go on to be president 61 years later. We're talking about Harry S Truman.

Harry S. Truman in suit Greta Kempton, Wikimedia Commons

New Hampshire: 1

Don't feel bad if you didn't know that Franklin Pierce was born in Hillsborough, New Hampshire. Given that he is considered one of the worst and least memorable presidents in history, many folks in Hillsborough probably don't even know.

The Franklin Pierce Homestead in Hillsborough, New Hampshire Midnightdreary, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

New Jersey: 1

Grover Cleveland was born in Caldwell, New Jersey and was the first president to serve two non-consecutive terms. He first held the presidency from 1885 to 1889 before losing his re-election bid and then coming back again to sit in the big chair from 1893 to 1897.

Birthplace of President Grover Cleveland, in Caldwell, New Jersey Zeete, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

South Carolina: 1

Andrew Jackson was a famous general in the US Army before serving in congress and then serving two terms as the seventh president of the United States. He was born in the Waxhaw Settlement between North Carolina and South Carolina in 1767.

Portrait of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States Ralph Eleaser Whiteside Earl, Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina: 2

If South and North Carolina were having a competition as to which state was the birthplace of more presidents, the North would win with their two. The first of which was James K Polk who served as the 11th president of the United States.

president James Knox Polk, three-quarter length portrait in black suit Brady, Mathew B., Wikimedia Commons

North Carolina: 2

Born in 1809—13 years after Polk—Andrew Johnson (from Raleigh, North Carolina) grew up to become the 17th president of the United States.

Andrew Johnson Photo Portrait Head And Shoulders Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania: 2

Pennsylvania produced the 15th president of the United States, James Buchanan. But then they took an over 150-year break before another state-born man became the leader of the free world.

James Buchanan Mercersburg, PA. Montesbradley, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Pennsylvania: 2

Joe Biden is either the most famous, or second most famous, person to come out of Scranton, Pennsylvania (fans of The Office might argue for Michael Scott at number one).

The first portrait of Joe Biden as president of the United States. The White House, Wikimedia Commons

Texas: 2

The state of Texas has three presidential libraries, but has only been the birthplace of two presidents. They were two very important presidents though. Starting with Dwight D Eisenhower, who was elected to his first of two terms in 1952.

Dwight D. Eisenhower, Official Photo Portrait, May 29, 1959 White House, Wikimedia Commons

Texas: 2

The second Texas president came into office under terrible circumstances following the assassination of JFK. Lyndon B Johnson would go on to win re-election, expand civil rights, and become the architect of the Great Society.

President Lyndon B. Johnson in the Oval Office Arnold Newman, Wikimedia Commons

Vermont: 2

Vermont and Texas might not have that much in common, but one thing that is similar about them both is that they have each birthed two presidents. The first president to come out of Vermont was Chester A Arthur.

Chester A. Arthur By Abraham Bogardus in suit Abraham Bogardus, Wikimedia Commons

Vermont: 2

The second man born in Vermont to ever become president was Calvin Coolidge. Coolidge is also the only president to be born on Independence Day.

President Calvin Coolidge, 1924 head-and-shoulders portrait, facing slightly right Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts: 4

Massachusetts made its mark on the presidency very early with John Adams—the second man to hold the office. And he wouldn't be the only person born in Braintree to become president either.

John Adams as President of the United States in black Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts: 4

About 25 years after John Adams left office, his son, John Quincy Adams, was elected as the sixth president of the United States of America.

John Quincy Adams portrait in black suit Mathew Brady, Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts: 4

Maybe the most famous Massachusetts accent ever, John F Kennedy was the third man from the state to become president.

John F. Kennedy, photograph in the Oval Office Cecil Stoughton, Wikimedia Commons

Massachusetts: 4

George H W Bush and his son both have their presidential libraries in Texas, but neither of them were born in the Lone Star state. You probably didn't know, but Bush senior was born in Milton, Massachusetts.

George H. W. Bush Presidential Portrait in suit David Valdez, Wikimedia Commons

New York: 5

New York has produced some very great presidents, some controversial ones, and a couple that most people might not even remember—like, the eighth president of the United States, Martin Van Buren.

Martin Van Buren By Mathew Brady in black suit Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

New York: 5

The 13th president, Millard Fillmore, was also from New York, and is also generally considered one of the least memorable men to hold the office.

Millard Fillmore in suit Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

New York: 5

It would be about 50 years before a born New Yorker became president again, but this time he was not going to be forgettable. In fact, Theodore Roosevelt is one of the greatest of all time. As was the next man from the state to get voted into office...

Grayscale Portrait Photo of U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt in a dark suit Pach Brothers, Wikimedia Commons

New York: 5

Teddy's fifth cousin, Franklin D Roosevelt, was elected in 1932 and is the only man to ever get elected to more than two terms (passing away early in his fourth term). About 70 years after FDR, the most recent New York-born man became president

Franklin D. Roosevelt official portrait Leon Perskie, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

New York: 5

Donald Trump was born in Queens and is currently in the midst of his second, non consecutive term in the White House.

Official 2025 inaugural portrait of Donald Trump by Daniel Torok Daniel Torok, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

Only one state has been the birthplace of more presidents than Ohio—and they did it all within a 43-year span. Starting with Ulysses S Grant—the 18th president of the United States who was born in Point Pleasant, Ohio on April 27, 1822.

Photograph of President Ulysses S. Grant, by Mathew Brady Brady-Handy Photograph Collection, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

Following Grant, Rutherford B Hayes became the 19th president and the second one born in Ohio. Hayes was from Delaware, Ohio.

President Rutherford Hayes 1870 - 1880, seated portrait Mathew Benjamin Brady, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

After Hayes' one term in office, he gave way to another fellow Buckeye, James A Garfield. Garfield was born in Moreland Hills, but only spent a few months in office after being shot and the doctor's use of unsanitary methods to treat the wound.

James Abram Garfield, Photo Portrait Seated Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

Ohio didn't make it four presidents in a row, but it was only eight years after Garfield that Ohio-born Benjamin Harrison entered the office of the presidency.

1896 Pach Brothers studio photograph of United States President Benjamin Harrison. Pach Brothers, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

William McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio and served one term in office as the 25th president of the United States. The 26th president was not from the state, but number 27 was.

William McKinley, President of the United States Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, William Howard Taft—like every other Ohio-born president, except for Grant—served just one term in office.

Cabinet Card Of William Howard Taft By Pach Brothers Pach Brothers, Wikimedia Commons

Ohio: 7

Born in Blooming Grove, Ohio in 1865 (43 years after Ulysses S Grant), Warren G Harding was elected president in 1920 but suffered a fatal heart attack in 1923—prior to the end of his term in office.

Warren G. Harding portrait in black suit Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

It was the colony of Virginia at the time, but on February 22, 1732, the future first president of the United States of America was born—George Washington would earn that title 57 years later.

Portrait of George Washington in black outfit Gilbert Stuart, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

Again, we're talking about the colony of Virginia, but after ceding the presidency to Massachusetts and John Adams for a term, Thomas Jefferson (born in Shadwell, Virginia) became the third president of the United States.

Official presidential portrait of Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale Rembrandt Peale, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

Ohio wasn't the first state to produce three presidents in a row. That honor belongs to Virginia who, following Jefferson, gave the country the fourth president, James Madison.

Birthplace of President James Madison in Port Conway, Virginia Clariosophic, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

Yes, we did say three in a row. What comes after three and four? The fifth president of the United States (and a second consecutive "James"), James Monroe.

Birthplace Of Monroe Historical Marker Nyttend, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

On February 9, 1773, William Henry Harrison was born in Charles City County in the colony of Virginia. He would eventually grow up to become the ninth president—although, only for about a month as he fell ill just three weeks after his inauguration.

William Henry Harrison, in March 1841 the ninth President of the United States, painted by Albert Gallatin Hoit Albert Gallatin Hoit, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

Virginia was the birthplace of the 10th and 12th presidents of the country—but in an interesting twist, it was the 12th president who was born first. The 10th president, John Tyler, was born in Charles City County on March 29, 1790—and was elected to his one, and only term in 1840.

President John Tyler, half-length portrait Matthew Brady, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

Zachary Taylor was born on November 24, 1784 in Barboursville, and was elected to the office of the presidency in 1848. Although, he passed away from a stomach disease in July of 1850—making him the third shortest serving president in history.

Zachary Taylor Restored And Cropped Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons

Virginia: 8

And then we have the eighth and final president to ever come out of Virginia (so far): Woodrow Wilson. Wilson was born in Staunton and was elected to his first of two terms in 1912.