World Record Index

The US states and Canadian provinces and territories with the most Guinness World Records

People all over the globe dream of setting world records, whether to push themselves to the limit of human endurance or raise awareness for a particular charity or issue. Achieving a world record can inspire others to push themselves in their chosen field, encouraging creativity and innovation. 

But which US states and provinces in Canada are home to the most world records?

We’ve examined a sample of records from both countries, coupled with Instagram, TikTok, and search data over the last 12 months to determine the most famous world record holders.

• Georgia
  66 Guinness World Records
   

According to our sample, the Peach State holds the most world records, with 66 total. As many as 14 of these records were set by the Harlem Globetrotters, many on a single day in 2021 to commemorate the late player, Frederick "Curly" Neal. These include the most basketball under-the-leg tumbles in one minute and the most basketball bounces in one minute.

• California
  22 Guinness World Records

Up next is the Golden State, which holds 22 Guinness World Records. Like Georgia, California has many sporting records, including the oldest woman who crossed America from north to south by bicycle. The state also holds the record for natural wonders like the world’s oldest and largest living trees, both species of sequoia.

• New York
  13 Guinness World Records

Rounding off the top three is New York, with 13 world records. The state holds various records, including the most different flags flown simultaneously, 826. This was set by the Federation of Indian Associations and the State Bank of India to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence Day in 2022.

• Ontario
  70 Guinness World Records

Ontario is home to a diverse array of record holders, from Pete Czerwinski, who holds the record for the most creme eggs eaten in a minute (6), to inventor Jason Hobson, who was recognized for building the strongest homemade exoskeleton, which is capable of lifting 2,272 kg (5,000 lb). The province is home to 70 Guinness World Records from our sample.

• Alberta
  22 Guinness World Records

With 22 Guinness World Records overall, Alberta is home to some of the more unusual records in our sample. These include the most people washing their faces online simultaneously (124) set by the Lambda Epsilon Alumni Association to raise awareness for a local charity. The record for the largest gathering of people dressed as Batman (542) was also set in Alberta.

• British Columbia
  13 Guinness World Records

British Columbia ranks third, with 13 Guinness World Records. The records range from the largest collection of sunglasses (2,174) achieved by Lori-Ann Keenan to the most cartwheels in a minute without hands (51) set by Marissa Waldrum in 2023.

• Cristiano Ronaldo
   631 million followers

Recognized for being one of football’s top goalscorers, Cristiano Ronaldo holds the Guinness World record for the most goals scored in international football matches by an individual. He also holds the record for the most followed Instagram account, with 631 million followers.

• Beyoncé
  318 million followers

Up next is Beyoncé, who has 318 million followers on the platform. She holds a whopping 20 Guinness World Records, such as the most Grammy nominations in a single year for a female artist (10) and the most wins at the MTV Video Music Awards with 30.

• Greta Thunberg
   14.3 million followers

Climate activist Greta Thunberg ranks third with 14.3 million Instagram followers. She holds the Guinness World Record for the youngest person named ‘Person of the Year’ by Time magazine, which she achieved at 16.  

• Beyoncé
  5.7 million followers

Beyoncé tops the list as the world record holder with the most followers on TikTok at 5.7 million. Her singing career has gained her numerous records, such as the most Grammy awards won by an individual (32) and the highest annual earnings for a female singer, totaling $115M.

• Elton John
  2.4 million followers

Another musician takes second place. Elton John has 2.4 million TikTok followers. His Guinness World Records include the highest-grossing music tour, held previously by U2 and The Rolling Stones. He also holds the record for the most successful British solo artist, with his songs topping the charts yearly since 1970.

• Zion Clark
  2 million followers

In third place is the fastest man on two hands, Zion Clark. The motivational speaker with caudal regression syndrome holds three world records, including the fastest 20-meter walk on hands and the highest box jump with hands. He has 2 million followers on TikTok.

• Cristiano Ronaldo
  62,290 searches June 2023 - May 2024

Ronaldo is the most searched Guinness World Record holder, with 62,290 searches over the last 12 months. He holds several Guinness World Records for his footballing skills, including being the first player to score in five World Cups.

• Eliud Kipchoge
  43,300 searches June 2023 - May 2024

Up next is another athlete, marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge. He has the records for the most wins of World Marathon Major races (9) and the fastest time to run the London Marathon, just over two hours. Over the past 12 months, searches for his records totaled 43,300.

• Wim Hof
  27,020 searches June 2023 - May 2024

Also known as The Iceman, Wim Hof challenges the limits of his body by setting records, including the fastest half marathon barefoot on ice/snow. Thanks to his promotion of the benefits of cold therapy and his techniques to overcome the cold, he has had 27,020 searches over the last year.

Using data from Guinness World Records, we took a sample of 250 world records from the USA and another 250 from Canada. We then analyzed these records to find the state, province, or territory where each was set to determine which had the most records.

To find the most famous world record holders, we gathered a list from list articles, including Guinness World Records Hall of Fame. We then sourced the number of followers from Instagram and TikTok.

We used Google Ads’ Keyword Planner to find the total number of searches from June 2023 to May 2024 for terms including “[world record holder name] Guinness world record” and “[world record holder name] world record”.