Top 10 Most Self-Sufficient States In the United States

California is a great state and the most progressive, hence the most prosperous. As much as people complain about Democrats and high taxes, it's to SUPPORT the progressive mantra to keep growing and flourishing. Anyone who complains about our politics elsewhere and internally, participate and practice your civic duties if your resident. If you're not, you're just envious. If you don't like it here, then leave to Texas are wherever you deem more free. I'm sure someone is waiting in line to take up your space from somewhere else.

California produces the biggest percentage of America's produce. California leads the nation in energy, technology, and entertainment. If California were to strike out on its own California would see more upside than downside. While the rest of America would deal with price surges in fruits and vegetables, California would likely see an economic boom.

California grows a large percent of food in the United States, behind no other state. Also, businesses in San Fransico, as well as the movie industry could keep it alive.

Solve irrigation and california is suddenly the france to the holy roman empire of europe.

Home to one of the most developed cities in the world, it would be a prosperous place if the crisis of the US splitting were to happen.

California and the West couldn't last a year without the water provided by the Great Lakes. Michigan has everything it needs in theory. It has plenty of fresh water. It has plenty of farms with plenty of variety (second only to California, but again, how is California going to water those crops without Michigan? ). It has the now-profitable Big Three car companies. It has the untapped goldmine of resources in the Upper Peninsula. Coal, lumber, oil, you name it is up in the UP. It has a strong tourism economy (so much so that they have a law saying public schools must start after Labor Day to encourage tourism). The only state that can compete with Michigan is Texas because they have lots of military bases and oil, whereas Michigan only has enough of those for itself. But again, Texas doesn't strike me as overflowing with fresh water nor farms.

Two words: Fresh. Water. The West Coast would be in panic mode without Michigan and, to a lesser extent, the other Great Lakes states. So, Michigan has self-sufficient water. They have self-sufficient farming. They have self-sufficient natural resources in the UP. They have arguably the best healthcare in the nation (Grand Rapids is a hub for medical development, and UofM has the best hospital in the country). They are home to all major American motor companies. They are home to most major pizza companies and cereal companies. They have a great tourism economy. They have one of the best universities in the world, let alone the nation, in the University of Michigan. So, let's see.
1. Food? Check.
2. Water? Check.
3. Healthcare? Check.
4. Economy? Check.
5. Energy resources? Check.
6. Education? Check.
No other state can check all six boxes except for maybe Texas. Maybe.

Michigan has the resources necessary. Plenty of fresh water, as well as more natural resources in the U.P. We're doing great agriculturally, and we house a sizable part of the auto industry, as well as a good (but not overly large) population.

Despite misconceptions in Detroit, businesses are slowly coming back there. Not only that, but they grow a large portion of the US's food, most noteably around the Traverse City area (Cherry Capitol Of The World).

Here's The deal, Texas is the second largest state, with terrain which varies widely, so, there is a broad production of multiple different goods. Texas produces the most Oil in the US, and even at times outproduces Saudi Arabia and other middle east places known for Oil.
Texas has a state militia that could easily hold its own against other world superpowers, at least for a time. Texas also has the most impressive Law Enforcement branch (Texas Rangers) known to man.
Texas is a hot-spot for businesses, and innovation, partially due to low taxes, but also partially due to Texans generally being able to be consumers to these businesses. Texas is a place of success, and though in the dense city populations, it does tend to have a few Democrats, the majority of Texans are hard working citizens, not only loyal to Texas, but extremely proud of it.

Finally, I would like to mention that Texas was actually once its own Country, whereas Every other state does not have that ...more

I think that the biggest indicator here is how a state would do on it's own, and by that standard, Texas is the clear winner. As a nation it would have a massive and prosperous oil industry because of the Gulf of Mexico. It has the most well regulated state militia with an army and a navy. California comes in second here, but is still leagues behind.
Texas also has a very good economy, unlike California, which is drowning in debt. California would collapse economically soon after it's independence but Texas, with it's extremely loyal citizens and booming industry, would leap onto the international stage while California would struggle.
All else aside, Texas also has a great flag. Meaning I could actually see it as a country. Can you imagine Wyoming's flag being a country flag?
I'm not a Texan and California is a great state. But in the long run, California just wouldn't make the cut. Meanwhile, Texas would be thriving.

Texas really should be number one although California has a pretty big economy even when compared to Texas and is tie or pretty close to Texas across the bored Texas has one big advantage. low taxes and government. Toyota just moved in FROM CALIFORNIA if both where to strike out on there own I think that over time that Texas would eventually emerge as the clear victor. not to mention that Texas has a large group of devoted citizens who would practically die to support it. I mean every time I walk out and see an american flag right next to it is a Texan flag something that I have never seen in any other state.

Texas WAS a independent nation for a period of 9 years after defeating Mexico in the war for it's independence. Texas joined the United States not because it had to, but because the citizens wanted to.

Large of amount of renewable energy.
Gas pipeline
Large agricultural production for population size
Food production plants
Large dairy production
Cattle-swine-poultry operations and processing plants.

Idaho has both mineral and food production as well as a tech industry and the potential for a manufacturing industry. With 4th generation nuclear technology, we could be fully self powered.

Idaho has a low population it would be easy for them to grow enough food to survive

Alaska is resource-rich, and its small population could lead to instant money. But, they shouldn't burn down all the glaciers.

Ohio has more major cities than any other state in the nation. Outside those cities, however, is vast sprawls of either woodland or fertile farmland. We also have well-established industrial and military centres (even after the rust belt collapse), as well as some of the largest freshwater ports and Marinas in the world. Although the large population could be a challenge, the huge amount of farmland would easily be able to feed the entire population with a surplus. Go Bucks!

I think that it's because they won the national championship. My state.

I think North Dakota could survive but what about the savages? And North Dakota has tons of peep squeaks that run a round and mine oil...

Oil has been discovered there, and it's being mined as we speak.

Seattle, as well as a high amount of food growth.

Is it possible cheese exports could keep the state alive?

Vermont has a small population, yet they are extremely smart.

Illinois has the 5th largest population in America, the 5th largest economy in America, and the 3rd largest city in America. They have the Farming capability of being their own nation. They are also on Lake Michigan, which gives them fresh water.

Louisiana has its foot in almost every industry from tech to agriculture, it's resource rich, and its population is just right in regards to self sustainability; that being, its population isn't too large to be reliant on others for resources and isn't too small to lack in production of products. It's also the home to 3 of the USA's largest ports, as it controls the mouth of the nations longest and perhaps most valuable river.
In regards to California and Texas they would be able to sustain themselves well for the beginning of the term; however, both states are prone to droughts and water shortages which could, in the long term, lead to famine as the states try to satisfy the needs of their large populations.

The absolute most sufficient state. A true Louisiana native can survive anything, anywhere and for any period of time. Don't get caught in the swamp after dark if you don't have any friends here. Most importantly we help each other, Lake Charles, La is the fastest growing city in the US and many nations are consulting this great state on methods, policies and procedures concerning rebuilding and resilience. Once revival hits us, there won't be any stopping us, God bless Louisiana.

Who said most powerful? This was the most self sufficient. If you want to talk warfare La sinks a couple of ships north of Baton Rouge in the Mississippi in October they cut the entire central portion of the country off from fresh fruits and vegetables from central and South America, heating oil, etc. As far as seeing bombings, radar sights can see thru rain. You can bomb all you want if you can't put in ground troops who cares blow the bridges and see what happens about getting in.

Louisiana has it's own energy industry, cattle industry, timber industry, fisheries, agriculture, plenty of water, temperate climate (long growing seasons and manageable winters), multiple ports, and control of the mouth of the largest river in the USA. If managed properly it could be the most self sufficient state in the USA

Needs to be above Mississippi.

Been doing pretty damn good the last several years. Economy's alright and were slowly getting more recognition. Besides, if we can handle those rough winters, we're probably doing well.

I think the state could stay afloat but not thrive based off its tobacco and alcoholic sales and or trade. Tourism would play a key role in the states sunk or swim economy as well.

With lots of farmland, transportation infrastructure and access to international trade, Georgia would have a fighting chance to make it on the outside.

Arizona has plenty of food (one of the largest veggie producers), is a large copper producer, has a large retirement community. It also grows a significant amount of corn and cotton. It is very capable of being self sufficient. It also has it share of the Colorado river, a vital resource for all Southwestern states.

Virginia has a HUGE farming communities, 2 international trade hubs/ports, one of the best funded national guards, and many national/international cooperate headquarters. We also have an international airport. The taxes are fair and could be raised in the event of secession. If only providing food for ourselves, our farming, food manufacturing, and seafood industries could sustain us. We also have tons of untapped potential in coal energy and steel production. In reality, Virginia is as capable as any of the top states for self-sufficiency. We also do t have the mountains of debt that the top states do.

Virginia has a large and growing population, however, it isn't to large that it's not sustainable. It also has a strong national guard, a healthy rich population (in the north) and a managable homeless population that has been seeing a large decrease several steps ahead of the national average. It also has a large tourist and shipping sector along the coast, and one of the largest US navy bases in norfolk. Richmond, Fairfax, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Georgetown are all examples of how the state has built healthy communities. In addition it features a large agricultural industry to feed itself. As a small bonus it also has the mountains to the west which would act as a natural barrier to invasion.

It has large ports in Norfolk, strong agricultural, defense, and extraction industries, multiple nuclear power plants, and a large future in wind powe.

If the states were to separate, Missouri would do just fine. We have an extensive agriculture base, and enough access to the raw materials for our industry to prosper. As for oil...we'll steal it from Oklahoma and Arkansas.