18 states that have never won Miss USA
Miss USA began in 1952, but not every state has taken home the crown in its 71-year history.
Eighteen states have never won Miss USA, including Alaska, Colorado, Florida, and Oregon.
South Dakota, Maine, and Wyoming have also never had a winning contestant.
Alaska
The closest Alaska has come to the Miss USA crown was in 1964, when Patricia Marlin placed second runner-up.
Alaska has placed four additional times in the pageant's history, most recently with Alyssa London — who made the top 10 in 2017.
Arizona
While Arizona has never won Miss USA, it assumed the title in 1980 when Jineane Ford, who originally placed first runner-up, inherited the crown after Shawn Weatherly won Miss Universe.
Arizona has made frequent appearances in the Miss USA semifinals — including three second runner-ups and two third runner-ups. But it has not placed at Miss USA since 2016, when Chelsea Myers made the top 15.
Colorado
The closest Colorado has gotten to the Miss USA crown was in 1963 and 2010, when Rhea Looney and Jessica Hartman respectively placed third runner-up.
Colorado has not placed at Miss USA since 2012, when Marybel Gonzalez made it into the top 10.
Delaware
Delaware has only placed once at Miss USA, becoming the last state to ever place in the pageant's history.
Renee Bull broke the streak in 2015 when she made it to the top 11. She also tied for the Miss Congeniality title with Miss Alaska Kimberly Agron.
Florida
While Florida has never won Miss USA, it assumed the title in 1967. Cheryl Patton, who placed second runner-up, inherited the crown after Sylvia Hitchcock won Miss Universe and the first runner-up, Susan Ellen Bradley, declined to take on the title.
Florida has also had two first runner-ups and more than a dozen contestants make the semifinals. It last placed at Miss USA in 2021, when Ashley Cariño won second runner-up. She went on to become Miss Universe Puerto Rico in 2022.
Georgia
The closest Georgia has come to the Miss USA crown was in 1993, when Erin Nance was first runner-up. Contestants from Georgia have also won second runner-up six times — in 1986, 1988, 2001, 2006, 2014, and 2016.
Georgia last placed at Miss USA in 2020, when Alyssa Beasley made the top 16.
Indiana
Holli Rene Dennis almost nabbed Indiana the Miss USA crown in 1981, when she won first runner-up.
Indiana contestants also won second runner-up in 1966 and 2002. Indiana last placed in 2020 when Alexis Nicole Lete won third runner-up.
Maine
The closest Maine has come to the Miss USA crown was in 2010, when Katie Whittier placed fourth runner-up. It last placed during the Miss USA 2018 competition when Marina Gray made the top 10.
Hoping to bring Maine a win home this year is Juliana Morehouse Locklear, who will be the first married woman to compete in Miss USA's 71-year history.
Maryland
Maryland actually won the Miss USA crown in 1957, but Mary Leona Gage was dethroned after it was discovered that she was married and had two children. Married women and mothers were not allowed to compete at Miss USA or Miss Universe until 2023.
Maryland has assumed the title of Miss USA once. Nana Meriwether, who placed first runner-up in 2012, inherited the crown after Olivia Cuplo won Miss Universe that year.
Maryland last placed at Miss USA in 2021, when Layilah Nasser made it to the top eight.
Montana
Montana has placed three times at Miss USA, with all three placements happening before 1960.
Montana last placed in the Miss USA competition in 1958, when Sharon Tietjen made it to the top 15.
New Hampshire
The closest New Hampshire has gotten to the Miss USA crown was in 2002, when Bridget Vezina was named first runner-up.
The state has placed five times at Miss USA, most recently in 2022 when Camila Sacco made the top 12.
New Jersey
New Jersey nearly nabbed the Miss USA crown in 1991 and 2017, when Charlotte Ray and Chhavi Verg respectively placed first runner-up. Contestants in New Jersey have also taken the second runner-up spot three times — in 1989, 1990, and 2008.
New Jersey last placed at the Miss USA competition in 2020, when Gina Mellish made it into the top 10.
North Dakota
North Dakota has come close to the Miss USA crown twice. Audra Mari placed first runner-up in 2014, as did Caitlyn Vogel in 2021.
The state holds a record of five total placements at Miss USA.
Oregon
The closest Oregon has gotten to the Miss USA crown was in 1976, when Gail Atchison was named second runner-up. The state has had three additional contestants make appearances in the top 10 — in 1984, 2001, and 2004.
Oregon last placed at Miss USA in 2018, when Toneata Morgan made it to the top 15.
South Dakota
Miss South Dakota Madison Nipe landed the state's best placement at Miss USA in 2018 when she made the top five.
South Dakota most recently placed at Miss USA in 2021 when Caroline Pettey made it into the top 16.
West Virginia
West Virginia has almost won the Miss USA crown twice. Ruth Parr won first runner-up in 1957, as did Kelly Anderson in 1984.
The state last placed at Miss USA in 2022, when Krystian Leonard made it to the top 16.
Wisconsin
The closest Wisconsin has come to the Miss USA crown was in 1974, when Mary Lynn Cook was named second runner-up.
Wisconsin last placed at Miss USA in 2014, when Bishara Dorre made it into the top 10.
Wyoming
The closest Wyoming has come to the Miss USA crown was in 1986, when Beth King made it to the top 10.
The state has only placed twice at the Miss USA competition, most recently with Claire Schreiner, who made it into the top 15 in 2010.
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