| Date: | August 26, 1961 |
| Venue: | Carnegie Hall, New York City, New York |
| Entrants: | 33 |
| Placements: | 5 |
| Winner: | Jo Ann Odum West Virginia |
| Before: | 1960 |
| Next: | 1962 |
Miss United States 1961, also referred to as Miss World USA 1961, was the 4th edition of the Miss United States World pageant. It was held at Carnegie Hall in New York City, New York, and was won by Jo Ann Odum of West Virginia. Odum was crowned by outgoing titleholder, Judith Ann Achter of Missouri. Odum went on to represent the United States at the Miss World 1961 Pageant in London later that year. She finished in the Top 7 at Miss World.[1] [2]
| Final results | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss United States 1961 Miss United States World 1961 |
|
| 1st Runner-Up |
|
| 2nd Runner-Up |
|
| 3rd Runner-Up |
|
| 4th Runner-Up |
|
| Award | Contestant |
|---|---|
| Miss Congeniality |
|
The Miss United States World 1961 delegates were:
Contestants who competed in other beauty pageants:
: Jayne Burghardt
: Diane Dolores White (Top 15)
: Christine McSwain
: Florene Mayette (Top 15; as )
: Sandra "Su Su" Smith (Top 15)