Public Restroom Access in the U.S.: Rankings of States and Cities Revealed by TENA

Exploring America’s Public Restroom Accessibility

In a recent analysis, TENA, a prominent brand focusing on incontinence care, has released a comprehensive ranking of public restroom access throughout the United States. This unique ranking takes into account various factors, including restroom discoverability on popular mapping applications, population density, cleanliness ratings, and wheelchair accessibility. As public health demands increase, understanding how accessible these facilities are becomes crucial.

Top States for Restroom Access

According to TENA's findings, the top five states in terms of accessible public restrooms are: Wyoming, Montana, Hawaii, Oregon, and Idaho. Wyoming claims the top position with an impressive average of 118 discoverable public restrooms on map applications. What stands out in Wyoming is not only the quantity but also the quality of these facilities—84% of user reviews rate them four stars or higher, reflecting excellent cleanliness and maintenance. Hotspot locations along major highways boast well-distributed restrooms, ensuring that travelers have adequate facilities.

Conversely, at the bottom of the list is Kentucky, with just 20 bathrooms available statewide—equating to a mere 0.04 facilities per 100,000 residents. Additionally, over half of the reviews for these facilities received three stars or lower, indicating major concerns regarding maintenance and accessibility. This disparity in restroom access highlights a significant public health challenge, particularly in states suffering from a lack of sanitary facilities.

Cities with the Best Restroom Access

Diving deeper into urban accessibility, TENA also ranked cities, revealing the top five to be Pierre (South Dakota), San Francisco (California), Orlando (Florida), Seattle (Washington), and Hilo (Hawaii). Notably, Pierre stands out as a hidden gem in the rankings—every public restroom reviewed scored four stars or above. With about a third of restrooms wheelchair accessible and a population that affords ample resources, this small city showcases how effective management can lead to exceptional bathroom access.

On the other end of the spectrum, cities like Stamford and Bridgeport in Connecticut, along with Cranston in Rhode Island, found themselves among the bottom five. Evansville, Indiana, represents a stark case of a 'sanitary desert'; despite its 113,971 residents, the city lists no public restrooms on any map application, underscoring an urgent need for improvement in urban public health infrastructure.

Importance of Public Restroom Accessibility

In an age where public health and accessibility are gaining global recognition, TENA’s findings serve as a vital reminder of the need for change. Marketing Director Hazel Villarreal highlights that improper tagging and limitations on search results in popular mapping apps can exacerbate the restroom access issue, leaving citizens without basic sanitary facilities outside their homes. This trend not only affects residents but also poses challenges for tourists and visitors, ultimately impacting quality of life and public health.

As some areas excel in providing adequate restroom access, others clearly need substantial improvements. TENA's extensive ranking not only emphasizes the disparities found across the states and cities but also calls for increased awareness and action towards enhancing public health infrastructures and facilitating easier access to essential facilities.

For more insights into this report and further resources, you can visit the TENA website. By addressing the fundamental issue of restroom access, a step towards greater public health can be realized, ensuring that all citizens can find relief when needed.

Methodology and Sources

The rankings were compiled with data from all 50 U.S. states, analyzing three populous cities from each state for a total of 150 cities. Key metrics assessed include discoverability, density, accessibility, and cleanliness, each rated out of ten. A full methodology alongside a detailed list of sources can be accessed for those interested in further investigation.