NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A recent study determined that 14% of Tennesseans feel lonely.

The study, conducted by A Mission For Michael, a mental health treatment provider, also revealed that 4.6% of all Tennesseans — equal to 261,451 people — said they are "always lonely."

According to A Mission for Michael's study, these are the top five Tennessee counties for chronic loneliness:

1. Haywood: 5.5%
2. Lewis: 5.5%
3. Houston: 5.3%
4. Bledsoe: 5.2%
5. Claiborne: 5.2%

These are the Tennessee counties that have the smallest number of who said they're always lonely:

1. Williamson: 4.4%
2. Hamilton: 4.4%
3. Wilson: 4.6%
4. Washington: 4.6%
5. Maury: 4.6%

According to A Mission for Michael, the results showed that loneliness is not evenly distributed across the state and being "sometimes lonely" compared to "always lonely" can make a dramatic difference in one's life.

“Loneliness can feel overwhelming, and for some people it becomes a constant state rather than an occasional feeling," A Mission For Michael Healthcare Executive Director Anand Mehta said. "That’s why professional treatment and support are so vital — because no one should have to manage the weight of loneliness on their own. With the right care, people can find new ways to connect, build healthier coping strategies, and feel supported in a way that makes a real difference."

Compared to other states, Tennessee ranks toward the bottom for the percentage of residents who feel lonely, while Mississippi ranks the highest at 71%. The rest of the top five states are Idaho at 55%, Delaware at 43%, West Virginia at 38% and Oregon at 36%.

The states with the lowest percentage of residents who feel lonely include: Connecticut at 8%, Indiana at 9%, Iowa at 9%, Virginia at 11% and Illinois at 13%.

A Mission for Michael used county health rankings data and survey insights. Here's the full methodology:

"Methodology: This study is based on an online panel survey of 3,002 respondents, selected to reflect a balanced mix across age, gender, and geography. To ensure statistical reliability, we used internal data sources to build population benchmarks and applied a two-step process involving stratified sampling followed by post-stratification weighting. This approach helps align the survey responses with the broader U.S. population. In addition to the survey findings, we incorporated external data on “feelings of loneliness” drawn from the County Health Rankings database. By combining self-reported perceptions with public health data, we were able to strengthen our analysis and provide a fuller picture of how loneliness manifests across different communities. The integration of these sources allowed us to capture both the subjective experiences of individuals and the broader trends identified through county-level health metrics. August 2025."

To learn more about this study, follow this link.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/tennessee-news/study-loneliness-2025/