America's Most Caffeinated Cities

The United States is just twelfth worldwide when it comes to caffeine consumption. At an average of 3 kilograms (106 ounces) of coffee per person per year, Americans are well behind world leader Norway at 10.7 kilograms, or nearly three gallons, per person. Still, Americans consider themselves to be a pretty caffeinated culture.

Certainly the growth of coffee shops around the country are a testament to how much we love our caffeine. Here, we take a look at some of the top buzz hubs as reported by market research company NPD Group. Looking at the number of coffee shops per capita, they’ve put together a list of the most caffeinated cities in America.

Posted 21 Sept. 2011

The Coffee Addiction

Coffee Shops: 1,379*

The City by the Bay. Fog City. With average August temperatures that are cooler than winter months in other parts of the country, it's no wonder coffee culture is big in San Francisco and the Bay Area as a whole. What could be better to cut through that fog, literally and figuratively, than a hot steaming cup like that served up at Blue Bottle Coffee, pictured left?

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 229*

Kona coffee comes from Hawaii, the only U.S. state where coffee is grown, so it only makes sense that at least one Hawaiian city should be on this list. Honolulu also is home to the 2011 U.S. Barista Champion, Pete Licata, shown at left making a drink for a customer at Honolulu Coffee Co. where he is the company's quality control manager.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 199*

Part of keeping Austin weird certainly must include keeping Austin caffeinated. The Lone Star state's capital was the only Texas city to make our most-caffeinated list. At left, local coffee joint, Austin Java.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 455*

In 2011, California's second-most populous city was named the 18th most walkable city in the United States — perfect for a stroll with a nice cup of joe from one of the city's numerous gourmet coffee shops, like Pannikin Coffee, Tea & Spice at left.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 556*

California's capital city and its surrounding area doesn't always get the recognition of its larger siblings San Francisco and Los Angeles. But the "River City," as it is known, has them beat hands down when it comes to drinking coffee.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 138*

The city whose slogan once was "World's Greatest City for the Arts & Outdoors" before it was changed to "A Great City for the Arts & Outdoors" is also a fine place to get a good cup of coffee. Maybe the city should add that to its slogan?

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 743*
Denver doesn't just have a lot of coffee shops. The mile-high city might have one of the most unusual takes on coffee service around. Girls in bikinis, lingerie and other spicy outfits serve up a lot of coffee at one of the city's newer coffee establishments, Hot Chick a Latté.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 251*

You knew cities in the coffee-loving Pacific Northwest would top this list, and Spokane is among them. With plenty of coffee shops to rival larger cities, residents have a lot to choose from when it comes to Spokane's coffee culture. At left, the front window of Brews Brothers in Spokane.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 143*

Sure, Idaho is known for potatoes, but coffee? Yep. Boise is the Pacific Northwest's third-most populous metropolitan area, and it’s a coffee lover’s paradise, which puts it at No. 4 on our list. At left, Dawson's Downtown, owned by Dawson Taylor Coffee Roasters, a local coffee roaster and retailer.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 876*

With the increasing interest in coffee as a gourmet product, coffee fanatics are taking their obsession to a new level with an attentiveness rivaling that of the wine industry. Portland is one of the cities at the forefront of this movement.

At left, Gena Stutzman, Tom Stutzman Jr., and his father Tom Stugetttzman Sr. take a breath of recently ground coffee at a cupping of fine coffees at Stumptown Coffee Annex in Portland.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 172*

Most people don't think of Anchorage when it comes to coffee drinking. But with a sub-arctic climate and very short winter days, it really should be no surprise local residents enjoy a bigger-than-average caffeine jolt. Local coffee seller Kaladi Bros. helps meet that demand.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group

Coffee Shops: 1,640*

The region that brought us Starbuck's and Tully's has been noted for years for its heavy coffee consumption.

*As of July 31, 2011
Source: The NPD Group