How are U.S. presidents geographically distributed according to their state of birth? In 2025, U.S. presidents were born in 20 of the 50 states, with Virginia leading with eight. This concentration raises questions about the geographic balance of power and influence in U.S. politics. Historical, economic, and cultural factors could explain this uneven distribution and its impact on presidential politics. Is geography a factor in becoming U.S. president?
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The geographic distribution of birthplaces of U.S. presidents reveals an interesting pattern throughout the country’s history. The 45 men who have held office were born in only 20 of the 50 states that make up the nation. This concentration of leaders in a relatively small number of states raises questions about the geographic balance of power and influence in American politics.
Virginia leads the list with eight native-born presidents, followed by Ohio with seven and New York with four. Massachusetts contributes 4 and North Carolina three presidents, while other states such as Pennsylvania, Vermont, Kentucky, Tennessee, Tennessee, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Texas, California, Arkansas, New Jersey and Connecticut round out the list. It is notable that some states with larger populations and rich political histories have not had a native-born president.
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