The Bronx Is New York's Loneliest County, Study Finds, and 41% of Residents Say They Feel Isolated

Crowded doesn’t always mean connected. A new study from Mood.com found that the Bronx is New York’s loneliest county, with 41% of its 1.4 million residents reporting feelings of isolation. Queens came in second at 39.4%, and Manhattan followed at 38.1%. New York ranks as the 11th loneliest state overall, with 35.1% of residents saying they wish they had more friends.

The report analyzed CDC data covering 184.2 million adults across 39 states. Nationally, Mississippi and Georgia hold the top two spots for loneliness. The study’s authors point out how local this problem really is. It’s not just about which state you live in, it’s about your county, your town, and the streets closest to home.

Doctors aren’t taking this lightly. The World Health Organization calls loneliness a pressing health threat, linking it to memory decline and risks comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day. Psychotherapist Amy Morin says people need to be proactive about social activities. The simplest fixes are also the most human ones: a phone call, a shared meal, a knock on a neighbor’s door. So here’s our question for you. What’s one thing you do to stay connected to the folks around you?