Statehood Order

Help kids research fun facts about the states!

Below is a list of the states in order of statehood. In most states, students learn about the states in fourth grade. Each state may have its own social studies standards, or they may use the National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies.

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The States in Order of Statehood

1. Delaware

Delaware was one of the original 13 colonies. It became the first state in 1787. Many people in Delaware work for banks or companies that make medicines. President Joe Biden was a senator in Delaware for 36 years. Delaware is the first state in order of statehood.

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2. Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania became the second state right after Delaware in 1787. It is the place where America’s founders met to write the US constitution. Today’s visitors love to eat the state's most famous foods, cheesesteaks and soft pretzels. Pennsylvania is the 2nd state in order of statehood.

3. New Jersey

New Jersey became the third state in 1787. It is known for its dense population and sprawling cities. The Atlantic City boardwalk is famous for its amusements and beaches. New Jersey is the 3rd state in order of statehood.

4. Georgia

Georgia became the 4th state on January 2, 1788. It is home to some of the biggest businesses. The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta airport services more passengers than any other airport in the world. Georgia is the 4th state in order of statehood. GEORGIA GUIDED RESEARCH PROJECT

5. Connecticut

Connecticut became a state in 1788. It was one of the original 13 colonies. Because it is close to New York City, many banking and financial businesses have offices in Connecticut. Mark Twain lived in Connecticut when he wrote about The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Connecticut is the 5th state in order of statehood.

6. Massachusetts

Massachusetts became the 6th state in 1788. Its capital has been Boston since Massachusetts was founded as a colony in the early 1600s. Paul Revere was a silversmith from Boston. Massachusetts is the 6th state in order of statehood.

7. Maryland

Maryland was one of the original 13 British colonies that became the 7th state in 1788. It is located close to the capital of Washington, D.C. and is home to many federal offices. Maryland is the 7th state in order of statehood.

8. South Carolina

South Carolina became the eighth state in 1788. It is known for college football and has more than 450 golf courses. Many famous people are from the state, including Jesse Jackson and Nikki Haley. South Carolina is the 8th state in order of statehood.

9. New Hampshire

New Hampshire became the 9th state in 1788. As one of the original 13 colonies, it is a state rich in history going back to the American Revolution. It is home to the first free library in the United States, which was established in 1833. New Hampshire is the 9th state in order of statehood.

10. Virginia

Virginia became the tenth state in 1788. It is home to many politicians because it is close to the capital. More presidents have been born in Virginia than in any other state. Virginia is the 10th state in order of statehood.

11. New York

New York became the 11th state in 1788. In 1792, the New York Stock Exchange was created and this attracted banks and financial businesses to the state. The Statue of Liberty stands in the New York Harbor. New York is the 11th state in order of statehood.

12. North Carolina

North Carolina became the twelfth state in 1789. It is known for agriculture. The farmers there grow over half of all the sweet potatoes produced in the United States each year. North Carolina is the 12th state in order of statehood.

13. Rhode Island

Rhode Island became a state in 1790. It is known as the Ocean State because it has more than 400 miles of coastline. That’s a lot, considering it is the smallest state in the country. Fishing and tourism are important industries there. Rhode Island is the 13th state in order of statehood.

14. Vermont

Vermont became the 14th state in 1791. It is known for its ski slopes. Olympic skiers often train in Vermont. It is one of the coldest states in the country. Vermont is the 14th state in order of statehood.

15. Kentucky

Kentucky became the 15th state in 1792.It is famous for its bluegrass music, a style of country music; and for the Kentucky Derby, a horse race. President Abraham Lincoln was born on a farm in Kentucky. Kentucky is the 15th state in order of statehood.

16. Tennessee

Tennessee became the 16th state in 1796. It is home to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which is the most visited park in the country. Tennesseans love sports and bluegrass music. Tennessee is the 16th state in order of statehood.

17. Ohio

Ohio became the 17th state in 1803. It is the birthplace of many U.S. Presidents. Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon, is from Ohio. Ohio is the 17th state in order of statehood.

18. Louisiana

Louisiana became the 18th state in 1812 after its land was purchased from France. New Orleans has been a valuable center of trade and farming since then. Many people in Louisiana enjoy sports, Cajun food, and jazz music. Louisiana is the 18th state in order of statehood.

19. Indiana

Indiana became the 19th state in 1816. It is bordered by Lake Michigan. Many people enjoy visiting the Indiana Dunes. Indiana is called the Hoosier state, which comes from a Native American word for corn. Indiana is the 19th state in order of statehood.

20. Mississippi

Mississippi became the 20th state in 1817. It is known for blues music. Famous musicians like Elvis Presley and B.B. King are from Mississippi. Many rivers flow through the state with the biggest one being the Mississippi River. Mississippi is the 20th state in order of statehood.

21. Illinois

Illinois became the 21st state in 1818. It is famous for its sports teams, the Chicago Cubs baseball, the Bears football, and the Bulls basketball. Much of the state outside of Chicago is farmland. Illinois is the 21st state in order of statehood.

22. Alabama

Alabama became the 22nd state in 1819. It is the birthplace of Mae Jemison, the first woman in space. Many people like to visit Alabama to go hiking in the mountains, enjoy the sandy Gulf Coast beaches, do business in the cities, and visit the historic sites. Alabama is the 22nd state in order of statehood. ALABAMA SOCIAL STUDIES STANDARDS

23. Maine

Maine became the 23rd state in 1820. It is known for its lobster fishing heritage. More than a few famous writers are from Maine, such as Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, E.B. White, and Stephen King. Maine is the 23rd state in order of statehood.

24. Missouri

Missouri became the 24th state in 1821. It is famous for the Gateway Arch in St. Louis. Many people in the state work in factories or on farms. Missouri is a top producer of soybeans. Missouri is the 24th state in order of statehood.

25. Arkansas

Arkansas became the 25th state in 1836. It is known for its natural resources, such as gas, coal, and materials used to make aluminum. People in Arkansas are surrounded by mountains, rivers, lakes, and plains that are abundant with wildlife. Arkansas is the 25th state in order of statehood.

26. Michigan

Michigan became the 26th state in 1837. It is known for producing automobiles, and for the Great Lakes.  Many famous athletes and musicians are from Michigan, such as Aretha Franklin, Madonna, Magic Johnson and Serena Williams.

27. Florida

Florida became the 27th state on March 3, 1845. It is known for its sunny beaches and warm weather. Our nation's oldest city, St. Augustine, is in Florida.

28. Texas

Texas became the 28th state in 1845 after gaining independence from Mexico. It is known for cattle ranching. Texas has more ranches than any other state. President Lyndon B. Johnson was born in Texas.

29. Iowa

Iowa became the 29th state in 1846. It is known for agriculture. There are more than 30 million acres of farmland in Iowa, for growing corn and wheat, and for hog farming.

30. Wisconsin

Wisconsin became the 30th state in 1848. It is known for its dairy farms with over 1 million cows. Wisconsin is also the leading producer of cranberries in the country. WISCONSIN GUIDED RESEARCH PROJECT

31. California

California became the 31st state in 1850 after a short time as its own country, called the California Republic. It is famous for gold discoveries in the early 1800s. Californians like to surf in the ocean and attend professional sporting events. The state is the location for many businesses that make computers and produce entertainment.

32. Minnesota

Minnesota became the 32nd state in 1858. It is known as the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” because of its many bodies of water. People there like to swim or fish in summer, and go skating or play hockey in winter.

33. Oregon

Oregon became the 33rd state in 1859. It is located on the Pacific Coast. Oregon is home to mountains with several famous waterfalls. The state is a major source of lumber and seafood.

34. Kansas

Kansas became the 34th state in 1861 after it was bought as part of the Louisiana Purchase. Its location is in the “heart” of America, at the center of the country. The state is a major source of power from coal mines, windmills, and solar power plants.

35. West Virginia

West Virginia became the 35th state in 1863. It is known as the mountain state because the Appalachian Mountains lie along its border. West Virginia produces more coal than any other state.

36. Nevada

Nevada became the 36th state in 1864. It is the home of Las Vegas, a city rich with magic shows, live music, and comedy performances. Nevada’s landscape is mostly desert. It also has one of the largest lakes in the United States— Lake Tahoe.

37. Nebraska

Nebraska became the 37th state in 1867. It is part of a region called the Great Plains. President Gerald Ford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, home of the famous Reuben sandwich.

38. Colorado

Colorado became the 38th state in 1876. It home to the U.S. Mint — where money is made. The states natural beauty has inspired authors to write books its cowboys and ranchers, artists to make paintings of its landscapes, and musicians to sing songs about its mountains.

39. North Dakota

North Dakota became the 39th state in 1889. It is known for its rugged landscape, called the Badlands. Sitting Bull, a famous Native American leader, was born in the Dakota Territory.

40. South Dakota

South Dakota became the 40th state in 1889. It is home to Mount Rushmore. Many tourists flock to South Dakota to visit the Old West towns and rodeos.

41. Montana

Montana became the 41st state in 1889. It is known for its mountains. Because of its many gold and silver mines, Montana is called the “Treasure State.” It’s also called “Big Sky Country” because of the state’s wide open spaces.

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42. Washington

Washington became the 42nd state in 1889. It is the only state named after the U.S. President. Workers in Washington build gigantic airplanes, as well as tiny computer parts.

43. Idaho

Idaho became the 43rd state in 1890. Its location is on the border of Canada, above Utah. It is known for its canyons, including the deepest gorge in the country. The state is most famous for its potato crops.

44. Wyoming

Wyoming became the 44th state in 1890. It is home to the first national forest, tall mountains, and “singing” sand dunes.

45. Utah

Utah became the 45th state in 1896. It is the location of Kolob Arch and other famous rock formations. There are five national parks and many ski resorts in the state.

46. Oklahoma

Oklahoma became the 46th state in 1907. It is known for its oil wells. Tulsa was once called the Oil Capital of the World. The people of Oklahoma enjoy many outdoor activities, like camping and going to a rodeo.

47. New Mexico

New Mexico became the 47th state in 1912. It was a U.S. territory for more than 60 years starting in 1946. The scenery of New Mexico is the subject of many famous artists, including Georgia O’Keeffe. People in the state like to hunt or cycle in summer, and ski or snowboard in winter.

48. Arizona

Arizona became the 48th state in 1912. It is the location of the Navajo Nation Fair, one of the world’s largest Native American gatherings. Millions of people go to Arizona each year to visit Grand Canyon.

49. Alaska

Alaska became the 49th state in 1959. It is located close to the North Pole. The state is vast and plentiful with natural resources. Alaska is home to 24 national parks.

50. Hawaii

Hawaii became the 50th state in 1959. It is known for its beaches and volcanoes. Hawaii is the world’s longest chain of islands. The state’s main source of income is the tourism industry. Many people go there to surf and to experience the culture.

States in Order of Statehood

1 Delaware

2 Pennsylvania

3 New Jersey

4 Georgia

5 Connecticut

6 Massachusetts

7 Maryland

8 South Carolina

9 New Hampshire

10 Virginia

11 New York

12 North Carolina

13 Rhode Island

14 Vermont

15 Kentucky

16 Tennessee

17 Ohio

18 Louisiana

19 Indiana

20 Mississippi

21 Illinois

22 Alabama

23 Maine

24 Missouri

25 Arkansas

26 Michigan

27 Florida

28 Texas

29 Iowa

30 Wisconsin

31 California

32 Minnesota

33 Oregon

34 Kansas

35 West Virginia

36 Nevada

37 Nebraska

38 Colorado

39 North Dakota

40 South Dakota

41 Montana

42 Washington

43 Idaho

44 Wyoming

45 Utah

46 Oklahoma

47 New Mexico

48 Arizona

49 Alaska

50 Hawaii