20 drunkest cities in America

In May 2016, 24/7 Wall Street came out with a ranking of America's drunkest cities. The list is based on self-reported drinking rates among adults in 381 metropolitan areas across the country. That data was then aggregated with county level data from a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, called County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. These are the results...

20. Corvallis, Ore.

Corvallis, Oregon comes in at number 20, with 23 percent of adults reporting that they either binge drink or drink heavily on a regular basis. Thirty-two percent of driving fatalities in the area involve alcohol. That figure, however, is only slightly above the national average of 31 percent. Two hundred twenty-nine deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely.

19. Iowa City, Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa comes in at number 19, with 23.2 percent of adults in the metro area reporting that they drink to excess. Of the driving deaths in the area, 24.6 percent of them involve alcohol. And approximately 249 people out of every 100,000 die prematurely before the age 75, which could also be an indicator of excessive alcohol consumption.

18. Lincoln, Neb.

Lincoln, Nebraska comes in at number 18, with 23.3 percent of adults in the metro area reporting that they drink to excess. 26.7 percent of driving deaths in the area involve alcohol. And 270 people out of every 100,000 die prematurely before the age of 75.

17. Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, Wisc.

For many, Milwaukee is synonymous with beer. So, perhaps it's no surprise that the Milwaukee area ranks as the 17th drunkest in America. 23.3 percent of adults in Milwaukee, Waukesha and West Allis report that they drink to excess. 37.2 percent of driving deaths involve alcohol. And 347 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely, perhaps as a result of alcohol-inflicted inferior health.

16. Janesville-Beloit, Wisc.

Lest Milwaukee feel lonely, it is joined on the list by its Badger State cousins, Janesville and Beloit. The Janesville-Beloit area comes in at number sixteen, with 23.4 percent of adults there reporting that they drink heavily or binge drink on a regular basis. A whopping 40 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related. And 346 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely.

15. Racine, Wisc.

Yet another Wisconsin city -- Racine -- ranks as the 15th drunkest metro area in the country, with 23.5 percent of adults reporting that they drink to excess. Interestingly, and perhaps relatedly, 31.8 percent of the population there is obese. Both of those rates are somewhat higher than the national averages of 18 and 27 percent, respectively.

What's more, 35.5 percent of all driving deaths in the area involve alcohol, and 319 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely before the age of 75.

14. Grand Forks, North Dakota

In Grand Forks, North Dakota, 23.7 percent of adults report that they drink to excess. 32.7 percent of driving deaths are alcohol related. And 332 deaths out of every 100,000 in the area are premature.

13. Missoula, Mont.

In Missoula, Montana, 23.8 percent of adults report that they regularly drink heavily or binge drink. Consequently, a staggering 48.6 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol-related. And 285 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely, perhaps as the result of alcohol-inflicted decreased health.

12. Sheboygan, Wisc.

Sheboygan, Wisconsin comes in at number 12, with 24 percent of adults reporting that they drink in excess on a regular basis. 29.3 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related, and 294 deaths out of 100,000 occur prematurely.

11. Wausau, Wisc.

Wausau, Wisconsin comes in at number 11, with 24.1 percent of adults there reporting that they drink in excess on a regular basis. 27 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related, and 270 deaths out of 100,000 occur prematurely.

10. Mankato-North Mankato, Minn.

Mankato and North Mankato, Minnesota come in at number 10, with 24.2 percent of adults there reporting that they drink in excess. 20.8 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related, and 250 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely.

9. Eau Claire, Wisc.

Coming in at number nine, 24.3 percent of adults in Eau Claire, Wisconsin report drinking in excess on a regular basis. As a result, a staggering 43.3 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related. 278 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely before the age of 75.

8. Ames, Iowa

Ames, Iowa -- home to Iowa State University -- comes in at number eight, with 24.4 percent of adults there reporting that they drink heavily or binge drink regularly. 11.8 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related. 214 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely.

7. Fond du Lac, Wisc.

From this point in the list onward, prepare yourself for a lot of Wisconsin! Fond du Lac, for example, comes in at number seven, with 24.6 percent of adults reporting that they drink in excess. 25.9 percent of driving deaths in the area involve alcohol, and a whopping 285 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely.

6. La Crosse – Onalaska, Wisc.

The metropolitan area that contains La Crosse and Onalaska, Wisconsin boasts more bars per capita than any other city in America. So, perhaps it's no surprise that this Wisconsin community ranks as the sixth drunkest in the country.

25.1 percent of adults there report that they drink heavily or binge drink regularly. A staggering 26.9 percent of driving deaths are alcohol related. And 273 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely before the age of 75.

5. Fargo, North Dakota

The only city in the top five that is not in Wisconsin, Fargo, North Dakota boasts 63 drinking establishments. So, not surprisingly, 25.2 percent of adults there report drinking heavily or binge drinking on a regular basis. 29.5 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related, and 280 deaths out of every 100,000 occur prematurely.

4. Madison, Wisc.

Madison, Wisconsin -- home of the University of Wisconsin's main campus and all of its sports teams -- comes in at number four. 25.5 percent of adults there report drinking in excess. 38.7 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related. And a staggering 290 deaths out of 100,000 occur prematurely before the age of 75.

3. Green Bay, Wisc.

Keeping on the theme of Wisconsin football, Green Bay -- home of the Packers-- comes in at number three. 25.6 percent of adults there report drinking in excess. A whopping 47.5 percent of driving deaths in the area are alcohol related. And, like Madison, 290 deaths out of 100,000 occur prematurely before the age of 75.

2. Oshkosh-Neenah, Wisc.

The metropolitan area containing Oshkosh and Neenah, Wisconsin clocks in at number two, with 26 percent of adults reporting that they drinking in excess, a staggering 44.6 percent of driving deaths involving alcohol, and 299 deaths out of 100,000 occurring prematurely before the age of 75.

1. Appleton, Wisc.

And the top spot on 2016's list goes to Appleton, Wisconsin, the metropolitan area with the ninth highest concentration of bars in America. 26.8 percent of adults there report drinking in excess. 30.3 percent of the area's driving deaths involve alcohol in some capacity. And 257 deaths out of 100,000 occur prematurely before the age of 75, a figure which may also be indicative of the area's high binge- drinking rates.