Life expectancy is one of the most important and commonly cited indicators of population health — and in the United States, life expectancy is falling at a historic rate. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, life expectancy at birth declined by 1.5 years in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II.
The CDC attributes the decline to the COVID-19 pandemic and 93,000 drug overdose deaths — an all-time one-year high. Homicide, diabetes, and liver disease were also contributing factors. Here is a look at the states with the most drug overdose deaths in 2020.
While the national trend is alarming, there are parts of the country where life expectancy is far higher than the national average. Using data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 50 U.S. counties with the longest average life expectancy at birth. It is important to note that life expectancy figures are averages for the years 2017 through 2019 — the most recent period for which metro-level data is available — so they are pre-pandemic.
Among the counties and county equivalents on this list, average life expectancy at birth ranges from 84 years to well over 90 years — compared to the national average of 79.2 years. Most counties on this list are located in Western states, including nine in Colorado alone.
Variations in life expectancy are tied to a number of both economic and behavioral factors. For example, tobacco use is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and in a majority of counties on this list, the share of adults who smoke is below the 16.6% national average. Here is a look at the American cities where the most people smoke.
Income levels are also linked to life expectancy. Poverty, for example, presents challenges and stressors that can take a cumulative toll on both physical and mental health. Additionally, lower-income Americans are less able to afford adequate health care and healthy options related to diet and lifestyle. Recent studies have shown that life expectancy among the wealthiest 1% of Americans exceeds that of the poorest 1% by well over a decade. In nearly every county on this list, the poverty rate is below the 13.4% national average.
Click here to see the counties with the longest life expectancy.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
50. Judith Basin County, Montana
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.1% — 334th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 35.4% — 1,186th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 19.0% — 882nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 8.1% — 1,398th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $43,661 — 726th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 12.7% — 1,209th lowest of 3,070 counties
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49. Burke County, North Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.7% — 460th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 33.5% — 1,469th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 20.1% — 1,201st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.4% — 620th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $77,232 — 196th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 5.9% — 87th lowest of 3,070 counties
48. Douglas County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 8.6% — the lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 20.1% — 44th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 10.7% — 15th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 2.8% — 37th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $119,730 — 9th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 3.1% — 2nd lowest of 3,070 counties
47. San Francisco County, California
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.6% — 115th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 16.9% — 15th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 11.4% — 23rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 3.7% — 139th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $112,449 — 17th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.3% — 698th lowest of 3,070 counties
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46. Routt County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.2% — 25th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 16.1% — 9th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 14.5% — 138th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 7.3% — 1,200th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $77,443 — 193rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.9% — 821st lowest of 3,070 counties
45. Alexandria city, Virginia
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.1% — 167th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 23.8% — 160th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 12.2% — 39th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 10.9% — 997th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $100,939 — 33rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.3% — 694th lowest of 3,070 counties
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44. Queens County, New York
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.6% — 1,298th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 24.4% — 199th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 14.1% — 114th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 9.5% — 1,303rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $68,666 — 345th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 12.2% — 1,104th lowest of 3,070 counties
43. Glades County, Florida
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.7% — 334th highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 39.0% — 513th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 26.1% — 392nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 24.1% — 44th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $40,977 — 496th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 17.4% — 932nd highest of 3,070 counties
42. Hoonah-Angoon Census Area, Alaska
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.2
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.0% — 1,390th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 30.4% — 865th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 23.6% — 893rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 24.7% — 40th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $59,803 — 769th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.3% — 700th lowest of 3,070 counties
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41. Jeff Davis County, Texas
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.2
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.1% — 1,425th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 25.5% — 276th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 15.2% — 196th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 16.9% — 263rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $53,088 — 1,370th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 3.9% — 7th lowest of 3,070 counties
40. Lincoln County, South Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.3
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 10.9% — 17th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 31.3% — 1,030th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 14.9% — 166th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 4.6% — 384th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $82,473 — 136th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 4.1% — 9th lowest of 3,070 counties
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_from_SE_1.JPG "Wightman house (Wayne, Nebraska) from SE 1 by Ammodramus")
39. Wayne County, Nebraska
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.3
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.6% — 110th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.5% — 976th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 15.6% — 226th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 3.6% — 134th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $56,456 — 1,037th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 12.2% — 1,103rd lowest of 3,070 counties
38. Potter County, South Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.5% — 100th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 30.5% — 895th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 18.3% — 670th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 7.5% — 1,235th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $54,583 — 1,201st highest of 3,070 counties (tied)
> Poverty rate: 7.5% — 225th lowest of 3,070 counties
37. Hudspeth County, Texas
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 36.3% — 11th highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 37.9% — 701st highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 21.3% — 1,496th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 26.5% — 30th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $31,677 — 78th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 24.4% — 235th highest of 3,070 counties
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36. Montgomery County, Maryland
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.3% — 79th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 21.9% — 81st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 9.2% — 5th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 7.1% — 1,160th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $108,820 — 20th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.8% — 153rd lowest of 3,070 counties
35. Gilliam County, Oregon
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.7% — 1,339th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 31.1% — 982nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 19.5% — 1,020th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 7.0% — 1,117th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $47,500 — 1,079th lowest of 3,070 counties (tied)
> Poverty rate: 10.4% — 710th lowest of 3,070 counties
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34. Loudoun County, Virginia
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.7
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.7% — 52nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 22.8% — 114th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 11.4% — 24th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.7% — 739th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $142,299 — the highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 3.4% — 5th lowest of 3,070 counties
_from_SW_1.jpg "Palestine Church (Marshall Co) from SW 1 by Ammodramus")
33. Marshall County, South Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.8
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.7% — 251st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 26.8% — 393rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 18.1% — 614th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 8.0% — 1,364th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $63,723 — 533rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 8.5% — 351st lowest of 3,070 counties
32. Kidder County, North Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.8
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.2% — 981st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 36.7% — 911th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 22.8% — 1,097th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 12.4% — 717th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $54,643 — 1,197th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.8% — 783rd lowest of 3,070 counties
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31. Grand County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.9
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.1% — 172nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 18.0% — 20th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 17.1% — 417th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 13.1% — 629th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $71,198 — 285th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 9.5% — 525th lowest of 3,070 counties
30. Santa Clara County, California
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 84.9
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.3% — 373rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 19.9% — 39th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 9.6% — 9th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 4.3% — 284th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $124,055 — 4th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.5% — 227th lowest of 3,070 counties
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29. San Mateo County, California
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.1% — 165th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 22.9% — 120th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 10.2% — 13th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 4.2% — 256th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $122,641 — 5th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.7% — 144th lowest of 3,070 counties
28. Summit County, Utah
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 10.9% — 16th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 14.5% — 4th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 8.3% — 2nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 6.7% — 1,051st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $102,958 — 27th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 5.6% — 70th lowest of 3,070 counties
27. New York County, New York
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.3
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.6% — 624th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 15.6% — 8th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 11.9% — 34th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.2% — 557th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $86,553 — 104th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 15.8% — 1,213th highest of 3,070 counties
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26. Valley County, Idaho
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.3
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.8% — 266th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 29.4% — 693rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 15.9% — 263rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 11.4% — 890th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $64,475 — 486th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.2% — 192nd lowest of 3,070 counties
25. Blaine County, Idaho
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.3
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% — 740th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 16.5% — 14th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 15.3% — 207th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 12.8% — 671st highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $56,694 — 1,017th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 12.5% — 1,174th lowest of 3,070 counties
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24. Marin County, California
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.8% — 54th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 17.6% — 17th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 9.9% — 11th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 3.5% — 115th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $115,246 — 14th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.2% — 194th lowest of 3,070 counties
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23. Frontier County, Nebraska
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.5% — 216th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 38.9% — 525th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 17.0% — 412th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 9.6% — 1,283rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $54,659 — 1,193rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 9.0% — 427th lowest of 3,070 counties
22. Lake County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.8% — 1,361st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 27.2% — 422nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 18.4% — 694th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 14.0% — 505th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $50,565 — 1,416th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 14.6% — 1,491st highest of 3,070 counties
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21. Granite County, Montana
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.3% — 363rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 25.2% — 246th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 19.3% — 934th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 6.9% — 1,100th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $49,881 — 1,317th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.9% — 272nd lowest of 3,070 counties
20. Park County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.8% — 55th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 18.5% — 24th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 15.9% — 273rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 8.9% — 1,482nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $73,622 — 245th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.3% — 199th lowest of 3,070 counties
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19. Steele County, North Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.1% — 68th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 40.7% — 310th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 17.9% — 573rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.0% — 498th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $70,724 — 296th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 5.8% — 79th lowest of 3,070 counties
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18. Fairfax County, Virginia
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.4% — 90th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 21.1% — 58th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 11.3% — 22nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 8.2% — 1,420th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $124,831 — 3rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.1% — 105th lowest of 3,070 counties
17. Arlington County, Virginia
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 85.9
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.2% — 27th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 18.6% — 25th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 10.1% — 12th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.9% — 804th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $120,071 — 8th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.8% — 149th lowest of 3,070 counties
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16. Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 86.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.5% — 1,065th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 42.3% — 195th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 19.2% — 917th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 17.5% — 227th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $87,466 — 90th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.8% — 154th lowest of 3,070 counties
15. Ouray County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 86.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.0% — 18th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 20.6% — 51st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 13.9% — 103rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 10.0% — 1,203rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $66,417 — 408th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.2% — 188th lowest of 3,070 counties
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14. Collier County, Florida
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 86.1
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.3% — 1,227th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 21.9% — 82nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 16.0% — 275th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 15.4% — 373rd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $69,653 — 322nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 11.2% — 867th lowest of 3,070 counties
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13. San Juan County, Washington
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 86.2
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.0% — 153rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 20.1% — 42nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 11.6% — 27th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 6.4% — 962nd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $63,622 — 538th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.2% — 681st lowest of 3,070 counties
12. Sweet Grass County, Montana
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 86.2
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.6% — 233rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 27.7% — 471st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 18.7% — 779th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.8% — 780th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $49,886 — 1,319th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 5.7% — 77th lowest of 3,070 counties
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11. Manassas Park city, Virginia
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 86.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.4% — 1,372nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 28.3% — 524th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 16.7% — 367th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 17.1% — 251st highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $88,046 — 86th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.4% — 124th lowest of 3,070 counties
10. Haines Borough, Alaska
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 87.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 13.4% — 205th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 29.1% — 656th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 17.9% — 581st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 13.4% — 596th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $58,059 — 894th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 11.3% — 877th lowest of 3,070 counties
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9. Teton County, Wyoming
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 87.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.4% — 35th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 11.0% — the lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 12.9% — 60th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 12.7% — 680th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $84,678 — 121st highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.1% — 108th lowest of 3,070 counties
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8. Presidio County, Texas
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 88.8
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 39.9% — 5th highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 30.0% — 788th lowest of 3,070 counties (tied)
> Smoking rate: 21.9% — 1,306th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 26.1% — 32nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $25,098 — 11th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 39.0% — 15th highest of 3,070 counties
7. Stanley County, South Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 89.2
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 10.9% — 14th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 25.9% — 314th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 16.1% — 293rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 3.8% — 161st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $71,382 — 280th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 4.7% — 26th lowest of 3,070 counties
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6. Eagle County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 89.4
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 12.9% — 139th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 16.1% — 11th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 13.3% — 80th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 13.5% — 571st highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $84,790 — 118th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 8.0% — 292nd lowest of 3,070 counties
5. Oliver County, North Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 90.4
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.2% — 559th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 31.0% — 981st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 20.0% — 1,168th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 7.1% — 1,146th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $78,929 — 181st highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 8.0% — 288th lowest of 3,070 counties
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4. Golden Valley County, North Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 90.6
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.6% — 420th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 29.2% — 658th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 19.1% — 905th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 9.1% — 1,431st highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $58,690 — 847th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.5% — 223rd lowest of 3,070 counties
3. Liberty County, Montana
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 91.2
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.0% — 1,391st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 37.0% — 842nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 23.5% — 926th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 8.6% — 1,521st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $44,875 — 830th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 16.2% — 1,155th highest of 3,070 counties
2. Pitkin County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 94.4
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 9.8% — 4th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 14.7% — 5th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 12.0% — 35th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 9.9% — 1,213th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $78,935 — 180th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 6.7% — 147th lowest of 3,070 counties
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1. Summit County, Colorado
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 98.9
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 11.9% — 57th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 15.4% — 6th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 14.5% — 139th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 16.6% — 285th highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $79,277 — 177th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 8.0% — 290th lowest of 3,070 counties
Methodology
To determine the counties with the longest life expectancy, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed life expectancy — the average number of years a person can expect to live — data from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program’s 2021 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report. While the CHR report is from 2021, life expectancy data published in the report are from 2017-2019.
Of the 3,220 counties or county equivalents, 3,142 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia. Counties were excluded if life expectancy data was unavailable, if the confidence interval for the estimate was deemed too large, or if the county’s 2019 five-year population estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau was less than 1,000.
The remaining 3,070 places were ranked based on life expectancy. Additional information on the share of adults reporting poor or fair health, the share of adults 20 years and older who report a body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or higher (adult obesity rate), and the share of adults who are current smokers are also from the 2021 CHR. The share of the civilian noninstitutionalized population without health insurance, median household income, and poverty rates are five-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 American Community Survey.
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