Delawareans lead the nation in average consumer debt, according to a new report. Misplaced sense of state pride? (A lot of credit card companies are headquartered in Delaware because of the state’s relaxed attitude towards usury and their low taxes). Whatever the reason, $20,233 is the average per-person consumer debt load in Delaware, and the next 9 states aren’t that far behind:

State – Average Consumer Debt

1. Delaware – $20,233
2. Rhode Island – $20,130
3. Maine – $19,454
4. Alaska – $19,225
5. Colorado – $18,811
6. South Dakota – $18,707
7. North Carolina – $18,536
8. Connecticut – $17,334
9. Wisconsin – $16,903
10. Alabama – $16,591

For strategies on breaking the debt shackles and paying off your credit card, check out our post, “How To Get Out Of Debt.”

Delaware, Rhode Island residents have most debt [blogs.reuters.com/prism-money]

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