Pickleball Obsession in North Carolina: North Carolina has been named one of the most pickleball-obsessed states in the country, ranking 11th in a new national study. The report, released by Action Network, found that the sport’s rapid rise in popularity has made a big impact across the Tar Heel State.
Pickleball Popularity Soars in North Carolina
According to the study, pickleball participation has surged 223.5% in the last three years nationwide. North Carolina, in particular, has embraced the sport with enthusiasm. The state now has 462 official places to play—about 4.2 venues for every 100,000 residents.
Online search data also revealed a strong interest. North Carolinians searched for pickleball 1.71 million times over the past year. That equals 15,495 searches per 100,000 residents. Google Trends gave the state a score of 43 out of 100 in pickleball interest, showing consistent search activity.
How States Were Ranked
The Action Network ranked each U.S. state using a “pickleball obsession index.” This score was based on three factors: the number of courts, total online searches, and Google Trends data. Each factor was given a specific weight, and states were scored out of 10 in each category.
These scores were combined to get the final rankings. North Carolina received a combined score of 3.26 out of 10, placing it just behind Florida and ahead of South Carolina.
Top Pickleball States
Vermont ranked number one with a score of 7.20, followed by Utah (6.35), Hawaii (5.90), Maine (4.85), and Minnesota (4.78). Florida rounded out the top ten with a score of 3.47.
The full top 15 list includes:
| Rank | State | Pickleball Obsession Index Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vermont | 7.20 |
| 2 | Utah | 6.35 |
| 3 | Hawaii | 5.90 |
| 4 | Maine | 4.85 |
| 5 | Minnesota | 4.78 |
| 6 | Arizona | 4.66 |
| 7 | Colorado | 4.47 |
| 8 | Idaho | 4.14 |
| 9 | Wyoming | 4.07 |
| 10 | Florida | 3.47 |
| 11 | North Carolina | 3.26 |
| 12 | South Carolina | 3.06 |
| 13 | Missouri | 2.99 |
| 14 | Delaware | 2.96 |
| 15 | Virginia | 2.91 |
Why It Matters
The study highlights how much pickleball has grown across the U.S. The sport’s simple rules and low cost make it easy to play, even for beginners. North Carolina’s strong showing proves the state is part of the national trend. As interest grows, more courts may be built, and more people may join. Events, tournaments, and youth programs are likely to expand as well.
News in Brief: Pickleball Obsession in North Carolina
A new study ranks North Carolina as the 11th most pickleball-obsessed state in the U.S. With 462 pickleball courts and over 1.7 million searches, the state scored 3.26 in a “pickleball obsession index.” Vermont, Utah, and Hawaii lead the rankings, showing the sport’s widespread national popularity.
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