2002 Fluoridation Statistics

These statistics were prepared using water system data reported by states to the CDC Water Fluoridation Reporting System as of December 31, 2002, and the U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.

Some estimates previously reported for 2004 have been revised due to corrections of errors in reporting or rounding, or application of the methodology for the 2006 fluoridation statistics as reported in Bailey W, Duchon K, Barker L, Maas W. Populations receiving optimally fluoridated public drinking water – United States, 1992–2006. MMWR 2008; 57(27):737–741.

2002 National Water Fluoridation Statistics

2002 National Water Fluoridation Statistics
Total U.S. population, personsa 288,125,973
U.S. population on public water systems, personsb 255,443,289
Total U.S. population on fluoridated drinking water systems, personsb 172,209,735
Percentage of U.S. population receiving fluoridated waterc 59.8%
Percentage of U.S. population on public water systems receiving fluoridated waterd 67.4%

2002 State Fluoridation Percentage Calculations and States Ranked by Fluoridation Percentage

State Fluoridation Percentage Calculations and States Ranked by Fluoridation Percentage
State Persons receiving fluoridated water Persons served by CWS % Rank
United States 172,209,735 255,443,289 67.4%
Alabamae,f 3,786,843 4,477,571 84.6% Tied for 19
Alaska 296,559 517,262 57.3% 35
Arizona 2,737,028 4,944,156 55.4% 38
Arkansase 1,516,246 2,430,114 62.4% 32
Californiaf 9,052,872 32,736,317 27.7% 45
Coloradoe 3,036,309 4,029,721 75.3% 25
Connecticute,f 2,378,732 2,680,865 88.7% 14
Delaware 513,889 635,303 80.9% 21
District of Columbiag 578,907 578,907 100%
Floridae 10,964,125 16,277,621 67.4% 31
Georgia 6,576,072 7,068,046 93.0% 9
Hawaiie,g 101,992 1,233,249 8.3% 50
Idahoe 262,678 944,060 27.8% 44
Illinois 11,155,359 11,258,192 99.1% 2
Indianae 4,222,910 4,418,880 95.6% 4
Iowa 2,181,649 2,390,661 91.3% 12
Kansas 1,558,952 2,509,234 62.1% 33
Kentucky 3,641,324 3,653,971 99.7% 1
Louisianae,g 1,909,623 4,470,543 42.7% 41
Mainee 465,261 626,962 74.2% 26
Maryland 4,155,824 4,435,145 93.7% 8
Massachusettse,f,g 3,638,178 6,431,247 56.6% 37
Michigan 6,198,469 7,193,765 86.2% 18
Minnesota 3,961,639 4,025,050 98.4% 3
Mississippie,g 1,319,709 2,863,091 46.1% 40
Missourie,g 4,425,269 5,680,259 77.9% 22
Montana 166,523 699,098 23.8% 46
Nebraska 983,863 1,414,909 69.5% 29
Nevada 1,382,746 1,991,524 69.4% 30
New Hampshire 345,475 808,749 42.7% 42
New Jersey 1,628,180 7,840,340 20.8% 48
New Mexico 1,200,120 1,567,857 76.5% 23
New York 12,732,076 17,458,327 72.9% 28
North Carolina 5,259,171 6,217,936 84.6% Tied for 19
North Dakota 551,668 577,253 95.6% 5
Ohioe,f 8,604,125 9,783,785 87.9% 16
Oklahomae,g 2,475,081 3,388,256 73.0% 27
Oregon 522,930 2,851,160 19.4% 49
Pennsylvaniae 5,409,063 10,398,150 52.0% 39
Rhode Islande,f,g 943,684 1,068,568 88.3% 15
South Carolinaf 3,108,206 3,400,189 91.4% 11
South Dakotae,f 600,643 686,113 97.5% 17
Tennesseee,f 5,019,967 5,335,413 94.1% 6
Texase,g 16,409,892 21,762,430 75.4% 24
Utahe,g 508,792 2,325,921 21.9% 47
Vermonte,f 310,077 507,935 61.0% 34
Virginia 5,410,203 5,766,757 93.8% 7
Washingtone,f 3,082,178 5,382,486 57.3% 36
West Virginia 1,264,844 1,381,875 91.5% 10
Wisconsin 3,464,039 3,873,568 89.4% 13
Wyoming 159,770 435,498 36.7% 43

Footnotes

a. Annual Population Estimates and Estimated Components of Population Change for the United States and States: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006. Source: Population Estimates Program, US Bureau of the Census. Internet release date: December, 22, 2006.

b. Reported in CDC Water Fluoridation Reporting System (WFRS).

c. Fluoridated population divided by total population.

d. Fluoridated population divided by population served by community water systems.

e. Estimate for percentage has changed from that previously reported due to new methodology or correction of a rounding error.

f . Complete data were not available from WFRS; state provided additional information.

g. Population served by community water systems (CWS) exceeded the US Census state population estimate; number of persons was reduced by the ratio of the population estimate to the CWS population estimate. Use caution in comparing the 2008 estimates for the number of persons receiving fluoridated water and persons served by CWS for these states to estimates from 2002, 2004, and 2006 because a different vintage of US Census population estimates was used.

Additional Resources

More detail on US Census Bureau estimates can be found at Calculating Fluoridation Statistics

Historical fluoridation statistics are available at Fluoridation Statistics

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