2.7 million Texans living in constant loneliness: Study

DALLAS (KDAF) — A recent study by A Mission for Michael has highlighted the significant issue of loneliness in Texas, revealing that 33% of Texans feel lonely, with 11.3% experiencing chronic loneliness.

The research, which utilized County Health Rankings data along with survey insights, identified the loneliest areas in Texas, emphasizing the impact of isolation on mental and physical health, particularly among older adults who have lost a partner or live alone.

“Loneliness can feel overwhelming, and for some people it becomes a constant state rather than an occasional feeling,” said Anand Mehta, LMFT, Executive Director at AMFM Healthcare. “That’s why professional treatment and support are so vital – because no one should have to manage the weight of loneliness on their own.”

The study found that Cameron County has the highest rate of chronic loneliness at 13.7%, followed closely by Hidalgo and Kenedy counties, both at 13.3%. Polk and Willacy counties also reported high rates of chronic loneliness at 13% each.

The top 5 counties for chronic loneliness are:

1. Cameron: 13.7%
2. Hidalgo: 13.3%
3. Kenedy: 13.3%
4. Polk: 13%
5. Willacy: 13%

On the other end, the following counties have the smallest proportion of residents who describe themselves as always lonely:

1. Randall: 11%
2. Montgomery: 10.7%
3. Loving: 10.7%
4. Kendall: 10.7%
5. Williamson: 11%

These findings underscore the importance of community connections and outreach efforts to address the urgent need for support in areas with high loneliness rates.

All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by CW33. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by CW33 staff before being published.