There’s a group of characters that have entertained families for generations, proving that some things really are timeless as they’ve remained beloved by both children and adults since the 1950s. Whether you grew up watching their antics on TV or they’ve become a recent favorite as they’ve resurfaced on social media timelines, their colorful, quirky personalities have a way of making everyone smile. We’re talking, of course, about the Muppets.
These ageless puppets, who do equal parts educating and entertaining as a group, remain culturally relevant coast-to-coast. But everyone has to have a favorite, right? After thinking about it for a while, we decided it would be better to consult some data rather than guess, so we turned to Google search trends to find out how Muppet popularity shifts across the country. Keep reading to find out which fuzzy favorites are most popular in your state, and learn about the regional differences in Muppet fandom.
The Most Popular Muppet in Every U.S. State
Humor, heart, pure nostalgia. Whatever the reason, the Muppets have continued to captivate audiences decades after their debut. So, let’s get to it. Which Muppet takes the crown as the most beloved in each state? We analyzed Google Trends search interest for popular Muppets from the past 12 months to find out.
Here’s what we found:
Cookie Monster – most popular in 23 states
In a surprising landslide, Cookie Monster devours the competition as the most popular Muppet across the U.S. He’s the top-searched in 23 states, flexing strong popularity from coast to coast. Cookie Monster’s appeal likely lies in his iconic simplicity—who doesn’t love a character with a single-minded devotion? Especially when it’s cookies.
Kermit the Frog – most popular in 7 states
Kermit’s laid-back, friendly demeanor and iconic voice seem to strike a chord in the Western U.S. as he’s the standout Muppet in the region. He’s most popular in Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Miss Piggy – most popular in 6 states
Bringing a distinct flamboyance and flair for the dramatic, Miss Piggy’s big personality makes her popular all over the country, especially in the South. She’s the most popular Muppet in Alabama, Kentucky, Louisiana, North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Tennessee.
Sam Eagle – most popular in 3 states
The consummate patriot, Sam Eagle, seems to have carved out a niche fanbase. He’s the most popular muppet in Connecticut, Hawaii, and Ohio. His no-nonsense attitude and love for all things American may explain his appeal in different parts of the country.
Mr. Snuffleupagus, Grover, Fozzie Bear – each most popular in 2 states
These three lovable Muppets get their flowers in a couple of states each. Mr. Snuffleupagus wins hearts with his gentle demeanor, Grover’s goofy heroics make him a fan favorite, and Fozzie Bear’s endless jokes keep his fanbase smiling, even if the punchlines don’t always land.
While Cookie Monster takes the cake (or cookie, rather) as the most popular Muppet, there’s plenty of love for the iconic characters all over the U.S. Next, we’ll take a closer look at the popularity of just the Muppets that live on Sesame Street.
The Most Popular Sesame Street Character in Every U.S. State
While Muppets come in all shapes and sizes, some of the most iconic call Sesame Street their home. These beloved characters have been teaching, entertaining, and singing their way into our hearts for decades. To get a closer look at just the Sesame Street crowd, we ran a similar analysis using Google Trends data from the past 12 months to see which character is the top-searched in each state.
Here’s what we found:
Cookie Monster – most popular in 36 states
When we narrow the focus to Sesame Street characters, Cookie Monster’s dominance only grows. He’s the most popular in 36 states, easily making him the king of the cookie jar.
Oscar the Grouch – most popular in 4 states
With his signature grumpy attitude, Oscar the Grouch resonates with fans in North Dakota, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. His no-nonsense, grouchy persona may connect with more straightforward, peevish Americans.
Mr. Snuffleupagus – most popular in 3 states
Snuffleupagus takes the top spot in Alaska, Arkansas, and Idaho. The gentle giant’s kind-hearted nature makes his appearances on Sesame Street as heart-warming as they are fun.
Grover – most popular in 3 states
Grover, with his lovable clumsiness and boundless energy, captures hearts in Maine, Nebraska, and Vermont. His appeal, particularly in two Northeastern states, likely stems from his role as the earnest, well-meaning hero who never gives up, no matter how many times he trips along the way.
Elmo – most popular in 2 states
Despite being one of Sesame Street’s most recognizable faces, Elmo is only the top-searched character in New Jersey and Washington, D.C. His widespread global appeal doesn’t necessarily translate to local dominance in the U.S., but he’s been a fan favorite for decades, and that likely won’t change soon.
Sesame Street is an institution whose residents are among the most recognizable, beloved characters on television. Whether your favorite is Cookie Monster or Big Bird, there’s no denying the impact the series has had on kids for generations.
Closing Thoughts
The Muppets have been making us laugh, sing, and smile for decades, and the data shows their charm hasn’t faded one bit. From Cookie Monster’s unstoppable cookie cravings to Kermit’s calm and collected leadership, these characters remain as popular as ever, connecting with audiences across the country. Their enduring appeal proves that some things—like our favorite Muppets—are simply timeless.
Just like the Muppets, many older Americans continue to be a vital part of their families and communities, sharing their own stories and experiences. We understand the value of that legacy, allowing seniors to focus on the things that matter most.
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Methodology
To determine the most popular muppet in every state, we created a list of 33 well-known muppets, from Cookie Monster to Elmo. Then, we analyzed the regional search interest of each using Google Trends data from September 2023 to September 2024. We compared the search interest of each muppet to find the most popular one in every state. We broke our muppet data down further by just focusing on Sesame Street characters, too. For this study, we used search interest as an indicator of popularity.
