Life expectancy in the United States has experienced significant fluctuations in recent years, primarily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), average life expectancy at birth dropped from 78.8 years in 2019 to 77.0 years in 2020, with further declines noted in 2021. The National Center for Health Statistics attributes this decline to both the pandemic and a rise in “deaths of despair,” which encompass issues such as substance abuse and mental health crises.
Despite these nationwide setbacks, certain counties in the U.S. have emerged as outliers, boasting higher-than-average life expectancies. Utilizing data from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps program, a project of the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, a recent report identified the counties where residents live the longest.
Counties Leading in Life Expectancy
The report highlights that among the 35 counties listed, average life expectancy at birth ranges from 83 to over 94 years. In these areas, life expectancy exceeds the national average by a margin of 5.5 to 16.7 years. Factors contributing to this longevity include healthier lifestyle choices, lower rates of obesity, and increased physical activity among residents.
In nearly all counties on the list, adults are less likely to be obese and more likely to engage in regular exercise compared to the national average. Smoking rates are also notably lower. For example, in New York County, New York, the average life expectancy is 83.0 years, with an adult obesity rate of 21.2%, which is 19.1 percentage points lower than the national average.
Economic conditions in these counties further enhance health outcomes. Many of the counties feature higher household incomes, which typically translate to better access to healthcare services and healthier food options. For instance, the median household income in Montgomery County, Maryland is $125,076, significantly higher than the national median.
Top Counties for Longevity
Here are some of the counties where residents have the highest life expectancies:
1. **Pitkin County, Colorado**: Average life expectancy at birth is 94.2 years, with an adult obesity rate of 21.1% and a median household income of $109,268.
2. **Mono County, California**: Residents typically live 93.6 years, with an obesity rate of 29.1% and a median income of $82,973.
3. **Summit County, Colorado**: Here, life expectancy averages 92.4 years. The county boasts an adult obesity rate of 22.7% and a median income of $105,135.
4. **Oliver County, North Dakota**: With an average life expectancy of 92.2 years, residents enjoy an adult obesity rate of 40.0% and a median income of $81,382.
5. **Eagle County, Colorado**: Life expectancy is 89.7 years, with an obesity rate of 22.6% and a median household income of $110,598.
These statistics illustrate the stark contrast between counties with the highest and lowest life expectancies in the U.S. While the national average has suffered due to recent health crises, these counties exemplify how lifestyle choices and economic conditions can foster longevity.
As the nation grapples with declining life expectancy, the insights gained from these counties underscore the importance of promoting healthy living and improving economic conditions to enhance public health across the country.
