9 States With Counties That Still Prohibit the Sale of Alcohol

More than a million and a half Americans live in a dry county.

While it kind of sounds like a lot, it's actually only around 1% of the population.

According to the 24/7 Wall Street website, that 1% is spread across 83 counties, but get this, all of those counties are in just nine states.

WHAT A DRY COUNTY MEANS

While you can't buy alcohol anywhere within the borders of these counties, it doesn't mean you can't enjoy a glass of wine on your deck or crack open a beer at the neighborhood barbecue.

That said, you can't enjoy your favorite mixed drink or glass of wine at any of the restaurants within these counties either, as selling alcohol is what makes it dry.

The majority of dry counties are located in the South, where religious beliefs echoing the Temperance Movement, which in the 1800s pushed for reduced alcohol consumption across the nation, continue to drive anti-alcohol sentiment.

Can you imagine being unable to run to the store for a bottle of wine or order a beer with dinner at your favorite restaurant?

The ironic part of this is that some dry counties still battle rampant alcohol abuse and drunk driving.

WHO'S LIGHTING UP: 25% of This State Smokes, and Where the Rest Land

According to the Rehabs website, while there isn't generally a big difference between wet and dry counties when it comes to alcohol issues, deaths from driving under the influence of alcohol are higher in dry counties than wet counties.

NINE STATES WITH DRY COUNTIES

Arkansas is 45% dry across 34 dry counties.

Kentucky has 15 dry counties in 11% of the state.

Mississippi is 13% dry in 12 counties.

Tennessee has five dry counties covering three-and-half percent of the state.

Texas has five dry counties covering just 2% of the state.

Georgia has four dry counties covering nearly 4% of the state.

Florida is home to three dry counties covering 3% of the state.

Kansas has three dry counties in just two-and-a-half percent of the state.

South Dakota has one dry county covering almost 3% of the state.

Cheers! Or maybe not.