The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program has compiled a list of 25 counties based on lifespan data from 2018 to 2020. Data shows that Colorado seems to be a suitable location as eight out of the top 10 counties for life expectancy are found in this state.
However, the Aleutians East Borough in Alaska is the leader in life expectancy, with a population of around 3,000 residents who regularly live beyond 100. Mono County, California, is second on the list, with inhabitants also living beyond 100.
Pinned map of the United States of America
25 US Counties With the Highest Life Expectancy
Every year, a team at the University of Wisconsin creates a ranking system that evaluates important health factors, such as high school graduation rates, obesity, smoking, unemployment, access to healthy foods, air and water quality, income inequality, and teenage pregnancies in almost every county in America.
The results of the rankings were recently released by US News and World Reports, revealing that individuals in counties located in Alaska, California, Colorado, South Dakota, Virginia, North Dakota, Montana, Texas, Wyoming, Washington, Florida, and Utah had the longest life expectancies.
Below is the list of the 25 counties ranked to have the highest life expectancy:
- Aleutians East Borough, Alaska's Life expectancy: 100+
- Mono County, California's Life expectancy: 100+
- San Miguel County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 93.6
- Summit County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 93.5
- Pitkin County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 92.5
- Stanley County, South Dakota's Life expectancy: 91.9
- Manassas Park, Virginia's Life expectancy: 91.6
- Aleutians West Census Area, Alaska's Life expectancy: 91.5
- Golden Valley County, North Dakota's Life expectancy: 91.4
- Eagle County, Colorado's Life expectancy 91.4
- Liberty County, Montana's Life expectancy: 89.7
- Denali Borough, Alaska's Life expectancy 89.1
- Presidio County, Texas's Life expectancy: 87.6
- Oliver County, North Dakota's Life expectancy: 87.1
- Teton County, Wyoming's Life expectancy: 86.7
- Grand County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 86.6
- Lake County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 86.5
- San Juan County, Washington's Life expectancy: 86.3
- Collier County, Florida's Life expectancy: 86.1
- Steele County, North Dakota's Life expectancy: 86.0
- Ouray County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 85.7
- Park County, Colorado's Life expectancy: 85.6
- Summit County, Utah's Life expectancy 85.5
- Granite County, Montana's Life expectancy: 85.5
- Arlington County, Virginia's Life Expectancy: 85.3
READ ALSO: Both Women and Men Could Live Longer as Gender Equality Improves, Study Reveals
Average US Citizen Life Expectancy Suffered Major Hit in Recent Years
Recent years have seen a significant decline in life expectancy in the United States, which can be attributed to factors, such as COVID-19, the spreading fentanyl epidemic, and gun violence, MailOnline reported.
At present, the average life expectancy of an American is 76 years, which is the lowest level recorded since 1996 and lags behind many other developed countries. However, certain counties that are located in states with rural areas enjoy an exception to this trend, as they benefit from cleaner air and less urban stress.
Research conducted by the University of Louisville in 2021 discovered that individuals residing in settings with more greenery tend to lead healthier and longer lives than those living in urban areas. This study followed more than five million cancer patients over a period of 13 years and found that people dwelling in counties with more vegetation tended to enjoy longer lifespans than their urban counterparts.
RELATED ARTICLE: Global Population Reaches 8 Billion as Life Expectancy Increases Around the World
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