U.S. Coastline by State: Where Does Your State Rank?

The United States is home to some of the most scenic and diverse coastlines in the world, stretching thousands of miles along the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico. Each state’s coastline is unique, with its own culture, geography, and environmental features. Whether it’s the rocky cliffs of Maine, the sunny beaches of Florida, or the rugged shorelines of Alaska, there is no doubt that each state’s coastline has its own charm and appeal. But have you ever wondered how long each coastline is by state?

In this article, we will rank each coastline state by “estimated” length according to a list maintained by the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These coastline lengths were determined by an unspecified method which includes tidal areas.

It is important to note that determining the exact coastline length of any state can be difficult due to the complexity of the state’s coastal geography and the potential variation caused by natural factors such as erosion and sediment buildup. Therefore, any numbers are only an estimate and may not be universally accepted.

U.S. Coastline By State: Ranked By Coastline Length

The United States has several coastlines: the East Coast, which runs along the Atlantic Ocean, the West Coast, which runs along the Pacific Ocean, and the Gulf Coast, which runs along the Gulf of Mexico. Each coastline features different water characteristics and beach styles.

There are 23 states in the United States that have a coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, or the Gulf of Mexico. But where do these states rank in terms of coastline length? Keep reading to find out!

1.      Alaska (Arctic/Pacific Ocean) – 33,904 miles

Alaska has a coastline along the Arctic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. The estimated length of Alaska’s coastline, including all tidal areas, is approximately 33,904 miles. It’s worth noting that Alaska’s coastline is the longest of any state in the United States, and its intricate network of inlets and bays makes it an important part of the state’s geography.

2.      Florida (East/Gulf Coast) – 8,436 miles

Florida has one of the longest coastlines in the United States, with more than 8,436 miles of shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, including all inlets, bays, and other waterways. However, Florida’s coastline is complex, with numerous bays, inlets, and estuaries, making it difficult to provide an exact measurement of the total coastline length.

3.      Louisiana (Gulf Coast) – 7,721 miles

Louisiana (Gulf Coast) – 7,721 miles of coastline

4.      Maine (East Coast) – 3,478 miles

The official length of the state’s general coastline is only 228 miles. However, the tidal shoreline, which includes all of the inlets and bays, measures to be 3,478 miles. This puts Maine in fourth place in terms of states with the longest coastlines in the United States.

5.      California (West Coast) – 3,427 miles

The estimated shoreline mileage of California is 3,427 miles, which includes the Pacific coastline but not necessarily all inlets and bays. There is no clear estimate for the coastline length of California, including all inlets and bays.

6.      North Carolina (East Coast) – 3,375 miles

North Carolina has roughly 3,375 miles of estuarine coastline which includes bays, sounds, and wetlands. Additionally, the state has several ocean inlets and bays, such as Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound, which can increase the total coastline length.

7.      Texas (Gulf Coast) – 3,359 miles

The estimated length of Texas’ coastline, including all inlets and bays, is approximately 3,359 miles.

8.      Virginia (East Coast) – 3,315 miles

The total coastline length of Virginia, including all inlets and bays, is said to be approximately 3,315 miles.

9.      Maryland (East Coast) – 3,190 miles

Maryland has approximately 3,190 miles of tidal shoreline, which includes both Chesapeake Bay and the state’s coastal bays, such as Assawoman Bay and Sinepuxent Bay.

10. Washington (West Coast) – 3,026 miles

It’s estimated that the total coastline length of Washington state, including all inlets and bays such as Puget Sound and the Strait of Juan de Fuca, is around 3,026 miles.

11. South Carolina (East Coast) – 2,876 miles

It is estimated that the coastline of South Carolina, including all inlets and bays, is approximately 2,876 miles long. This measurement includes the shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean as well as the state’s numerous inlets, bays, and estuaries.

12. New York (East Coast) – 2,625 miles

The coastline length of New York, including all inlets and bays, is not a straightforward answer since different sources may report different measurements. However, one source provides an estimate of 2,625 miles of combined ocean and tidal shorelines in New York that may include the lengths of all the inlets and bays.

13. Georgia (East Coast) – 2,344 miles

The estimated coastline length of Georgia, including all inlets and bays, is approximately 2,344 miles. This measurement includes the shoreline along the Atlantic Ocean and the state’s numerous inlets and bays.

14. New Jersey (East Coast) – 1,792 miles

The total coastline length of New Jersey, including all inlets and bays, is around 1,792 miles. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection notes that the state has 126 miles of coastline along the Atlantic Ocean and 950 miles of back bays, which include inlets and associated water areas.

15. Massachusetts (East Coast) – 1,519 miles

Massachusetts has a coastline length of approximately 1,519 miles, including all of its inlets, bays, and islands. The coastline is comprised of a mix of landscapes such as rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and numerous islands. Additionally, the state has several large bays, including Massachusetts Bay and Cape Cod Bay, that contribute to the total length of its coastline.

16. Oregon (West Coast) – 1,410 miles

The coastline length of Oregon including all inlets and bays varies widely. One source suggests that the Oregon coast is about 1,410 miles long,

17. Hawaii (Pacific Ocean) – 1,052 miles

Hawaii has a relatively short coastline in comparison to other states, with a total shoreline length of approximately 1,052 miles including all tidal areas.

18. Connecticut (East Coast) – 618 miles

Connecticut has a coastline length of approximately 618 miles, including all of its inlets and bays, according to a source from Connecticut’s official website. Connecticut’s coastline comprises many small bays and inlets, providing a rich habitat for diverse marine wildlife.

19. Alabama (Gulf Coast) – 607 miles

The estimated coastline length of Alabama is approximately 607 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico, and the tidal shoreline which borders all of the coastal bays, rivers, and bayous. However, the exact length of the coastline, including all inlets and bays, is not entirely clear.

20. Rhode Island (East Coast) – 384 miles

Rhode Island has a coastline length of approximately 384 miles, including all of its inlets and bays, according to a source from the University of Rhode Island Magazine. This is significantly longer than the state’s official coastline length of 40 miles, which only measures the straight distance from the state’s northernmost to its southernmost point along the coast.

21. Delaware (East Coast) – 381 miles

The total coastline length of Delaware including all inlets and bays is difficult to determine, but the state has a coastline that includes the Atlantic Ocean and the Delaware Bay, as well as several inlets and bays such as the Indian River Inlet and the Rehoboth Bay. It is estimated that the Delaware Bay coastline has a total length of 381 miles.

22. Mississippi (Gulf Coast) – 359 miles

The estimated coastline length of Mississippi is approximately 359 miles along the Gulf of Mexico, plus an additional length of shoreline along inlets and bays. However, the exact length of the Mississippi coastline, including all inlets and bays, is not clear.

23. New Hampshire (East Coast) – 131 miles

New Hampshire has the shortest ocean coastline of any U.S. coastal state, with a length of approximately 131 miles. This is less than one-tenth the length of Maine’s coastline and the shortest among all the coastal states in the United States. However, it’s worth noting that depending on how the measurement is taken, the length can vary slightly.

In Conclusion

As you can see, some U.S. states have a significant amount of coastline, while others have only a fraction of it. Regardless, the amount of coastline a state has can have significant economic, environmental, and cultural implications, affecting factors such as tourism, climate change, and natural resource management. Not to mention, each state’s coastline is unique and offers its own natural beauty and attractions that are worth exploring!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © User:Wapcaplet in Inkscape / CC BY-SA 3.0 – License / Original