The Bronx has been identified as New York's loneliest county, with 41% of its adult residents reporting feelings of loneliness, according to a study from Mood.com. The report analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concerning community, mood, and loneliness across 39 states, using data from over 184 million adults.
Queens and Manhattan followed The Bronx in the rankings, with 39.4% and 38.1% of residents, respectively, reporting feelings of isolation. New York State as a whole ranked as the 11th loneliest state in the nation, with 35.1% of residents expressing a desire for more social connections.
National and Global Context
Nationally, Mississippi and Georgia were identified as the top two loneliest places in America. The study highlighted that loneliness is a global crisis, with the World Health Organization (WHO) having declared it a pressing health threat comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Research from clinicians in Colombia, Spain, and Sweden has also indicated that chronic loneliness and social isolation can negatively impact memory and contribute to long-term brain deterioration.
Strategies for Connection
David Charles, CEO of Mood.com, emphasized the localized nature of loneliness and encouraged proactive community building through regular, consistent social interactions. Psychotherapist Amy Morin advised individuals to be proactive in seeking social activities, suggesting participation in book clubs, meeting friends for coffee, or attending faith-based services as effective ways to foster and maintain connections.
The study ranked the top 10 loneliest counties in New York based on the percentage of adult residents who reported feeling lonely: Bronx County (41%), Queens County (39.4%), New York County (38.1%), Kings County (36.7%), Albany County (36.1%), Broome County (35.6%), Cayuga County (35.5%), Richmond County (35.4%), Rockland County (35.2%), and Seneca County (35%).