Data from the U.S. Census Bureau has revealed which states have the largest populations that are vulnerable to natural disasters.

When mapped by Newsweek, the data shows that Utah and New Hampshire have the most well-protected populations in the case of a natural disaster.

Natural disasters affect millions of people across the U.S. each year in every part of the country, such as the wildfires in California or the hurricanes in the Southeast.

The census data is vital for local planners and lawmakers, who can use the data to assess how different areas should respond in the event of a disaster.

The data, published on Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau, tracks the proportion of each state's population according to how many "components of social vulnerability" they face.

These components are drawn from a variety of factors, ranging from access to communication and healthcare to broadband internet coverage. The Census Bureau considers anyone who faces three or more of these components to be facing "high social vulnerability".

The state with the highest population of people facing high social vulnerability was Mississippi, with 26.02 percent, closely followed by New York and Louisiana (25.47 percent and 24.74 percent respectively).

Conversely, Utah was the state with the smallest population facing these issues, with only 13.19 percent of its population qualifying for three or more components. New Hampshire was the second safest with 15.55 percent.

Many coastal states, which frequently face the impact of natural disasters, had average rankings, often boosted by the presence of urban infrastructure that alleviates many of the social vulnerabilities being monitored.

California, which suffered drastically from the wildfires starting in early January, has 19.8 percent of its population facing high social vulnerability, while Florida, which regularly suffers during hurricane season, had 21.89 percent.

In its guidance on how to interpret the data, the U.S. Census Bureau said: "Community Resilience Estimates create population estimates based on 10 individual/household level components of social vulnerability, including: poverty status, number of caregivers in the households, unit-level crowding, communication barrier, employment, disability status, health insurance coverage, age (65+), vehicle access, and broadband internet access. Three or more components is considered 'high social vulnerability.'"

The next census is scheduled for 2030. President Donald Trump has pledged to review disaster responses following his freeze on federal funding.

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