Chicago is known for its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, from the iconic dyeing of the Chicago River to the numerous pub crawls across downtown.
But how does Illinois as a whole compare to other states when it comes to its fervor for St. Paddy’s?
Sports betting website BetMGM analyzed Google search data across multiple St. Patrick’s Day-related categories from 2023-2025, adjusting for population and Irish ancestry levels using data from the U.S. Census Bureau.
Here’s how Illinois ranked.
Which states celebrate St. Patrick’s Day the hardest?
BetMGM found that the following states grew the most in their “celebration intensity”:
Illinois ranked No. 5, with a growth rate of 9%.
The site found that interest was developing most rapidly across the Midwestern and Southeastern states.
Where is interest in St. Patrick’s Day waning?
The site found that interest in the holiday waned between 4-8% in the following states:
Interest in Irish music showed the most significant growth nationwide, according to BetMGM, as searches for categories like alcohol and green clothing declined.
This article originally appeared on Journal Star: Illinois ranks among states with most St. Patrick’s Day intensity
Reporting by Hannah Hudnall, Peoria Journal Star / Journal Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
