15 States Investing the Most in Infrastructure (and How Much They’re Spending)

Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Twisted Nail.

State and local governments play a central role in shaping the nation’s physical and economic landscape through investments in public infrastructure. From roads and bridges to water systems and public buildings, these long-term capital expenditures support not only daily life but also regional economic competitiveness and resilience.

In recent years, a confluence of factors, including aging infrastructure, climate pressures, and renewed federal funding, has prompted governments across the country to reassess and, in many cases, increase their infrastructure commitments.

To gain insight into these recent infrastructure trends, researchers at Twisted Nail, a Texas-based construction aggregate supplier, analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Learn more about the methodology at the end.

Here’s a look at which states are spending the most on infrastructure according to the latest figures.

15. Nevada

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,557
• Total public infrastructure spending: $5,087,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 12.9%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +13.3%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): -7.7%
• 5-year change in population: +6.1%

14. Maine

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,564
• Total public infrastructure spending: $2,198,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 8.7%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +56.7%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +27.7%
• 5-year change in population: +4.5%

13. Nebraska

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,675
• Total public infrastructure spending: $3,359,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 11.1%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +106.6%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +68.4%
• 5-year change in population: +3.7%

12. Washington

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,711
• Total public infrastructure spending: $13,613,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 10.3%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +4.3%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): -15.0%
• 5-year change in population: +4.5%

11. Oregon

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,751
• Total public infrastructure spending: $7,481,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 9.7%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +53.9%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +25.5%
• 5-year change in population: +1.3%

10. Minnesota

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,864
• Total public infrastructure spending: $10,801,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 11.3%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +32.9%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +8.3%
• 5-year change in population: +2.7%

9. Iowa

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,907
• Total public infrastructure spending: $6,182,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 13.5%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +32.4%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +7.9%
• 5-year change in population: +2.7%

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8. Texas

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $1,940
• Total public infrastructure spending: $60,693,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 14.2%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +66.2%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +35.5%
• 5-year change in population: +7.9%

7. Alaska

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $2,205
• Total public infrastructure spending: $1,632,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 12.5%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +9.2%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): -11.0%
• 5-year change in population: +1.2%

6. Wyoming

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $2,493
• Total public infrastructure spending: $1,465,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 12.9%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +89.3%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +54.3%
• 5-year change in population: +1.5%

5. District of Columbia

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $2,499
• Total public infrastructure spending: $1,755,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 5.7%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +24.7%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +1.7%
• 5-year change in population: -0.5%

4. Hawaii

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $2,566
• Total public infrastructure spending: $3,711,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 14.3%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +14.0%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): -7.1%
• 5-year change in population: +2.1%

3. Utah

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $2,833
• Total public infrastructure spending: $9,924,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 19.9%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +121.0%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +80.1%
• 5-year change in population: +9.3%

2. North Dakota

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $3,785
• Total public infrastructure spending: $3,015,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 18.6%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +82.5%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +48.7%
• 5-year change in population: +4.5%

1. South Dakota

• Public infrastructure spending per capita: $5,004
• Total public infrastructure spending: $4,627,000,000
• Infrastructure spending share of total public spending: 29.6%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending: +203.4%
• 5-year change in public infrastructure spending (adjusted): +147.3%
• 5-year change in population: +4.5%

Methodology

To determine the states investing the most in public infrastructure, researchers at Twisted Nail analyzed the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 Value of Construction Put in Place Survey, 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates, and 2023 Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (ALFIN).

The researchers ranked all 50 states and Washington D.C. by state and local public infrastructure spending per capita.

For the purpose of this analysis, public infrastructure was considered to be all non-private construction spending commissioned by state and local governments. This includes public infrastructure sectors like roadways, education, sewage, power, and water supply, among others.

Additionally, while public infrastructure projects may be commissioned by state and local governments, their funding sources may include federal funding.

Researchers also calculated the total public infrastructure spending, the infrastructure spending share of total public spending, the 5-year change in public infrastructure spending, the 5-year change in public infrastructure spending adjusted for inflation, and the 5-year change in population.

The infrastructure spending share of total public spending was calculated using 2023 data, the latest year available for ALFIN data, and 5-year change calculations compared data covering 2019 and 2024.