GA is a top 3 ‘dad culture’ state, new study says. Here’s what that means

Georgia has awesome dads, and according to a new ranking, we are among the top states for the most classically “dad-coded” behaviors.

A recent study from BetMGM used Google Trends, Google Shopping data, and U.S. Census figures to build an “American Dad Score,” and Georgia has one of the most solid and respectable “dad cultures.”

What is “dad culture?”

The findings come from a weighted index ranking states across six core categories by how strongly they reflect stereotypical American fatherhood.

Core categories:

• DIY Dad: garage projects, deck building, power tools
• Lawn Dad: lawnmowers, grass care, yard maintenance
• Grill Dad: barbecue and grilling searches
• Dad Humor: dad jokes and cringe-worthy comedy
• Dad Style: cargo shorts, polo shirts, baseball caps, white socks, sneakers
• Dad Traits: weather radar, utility bills, NFL schedules, recliners, bug spray, gas prices

Census data on households with children under 18 and households with at least one vehicle were also factored in, accounting for 30% of the total score.

Georgia’s dads score big

Georgia landed in the top three for the “Typical Dad Traits” category, which tracks the everyday dad-core searches like checking the weather radar, hunting for recliner deals, and Googling the NFL schedule.

Best states for “typical dad traits”

• Alabama
• North Carolina
• Georgia

The top states for overall dad culture

Georgia didn’t crack the overall top five, but Wyoming certainly did. It dominated in nearly every subcategory, topping the charts for Grill Dad, Lawn Dad, DIY Dad, and Dad Style.

Kansas placed for grilling, lawn care, and dad jokes, and both Carolinas made the top five overall, with South Carolina also ranking high for dad fashion.

• Wyoming
• Texas
• Kansas
• North Carolina
• South Carolina

How “dad culture” is calculated

The American Dad Score was calculated using a few factors.

Google Trends and Google Shopping data related to (70%):

• Grilling
• Lawn care
• DIY projects
• Dad fashion
• Dad jokes
• Weather radar
• Gas prices
• NFL schedules

Census data (30%):

• Households with children under 18: 20%
• Households with at least one vehicle (the “Dad’s Taxi” factor): 10%

This index is meant as a fun Father’s Day snapshot, not a definitive measure of parenting, and there are many, many dads out there that aren’t “dad-coded” at all, but still do the job.

What is the most “dad-coded” thing your father does? Email me at srose@ledger-enquirer.com or find me on social media.