Average life expectancy in the United States has seen a notable decline since 2020, primarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated factors. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), life expectancy at birth dropped from 78.8 years in 2019 to 77.0 years in 2020, followed by another decrease in 2021. The National Center for Health Statistics linked these declines to increased mortality from COVID-19 and rising “deaths of despair,” including suicides and overdoses.
Despite these troubling trends, certain regions in the U.S. boast significantly higher life expectancies. Utilizing data from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, 24/7 Wall St. identified the counties where residents live the longest. The average life expectancy in these counties ranges from 83 to over 94 years, exceeding the national average by as much as 16.7 years.
Factors Contributing to Longevity
Life expectancy varies significantly across the country, often influenced by lifestyle choices and socioeconomic conditions. In many of the counties on this list, residents exhibit healthier behaviors compared to the national average. For instance, adults tend to have lower obesity rates, higher physical activity levels, and reduced smoking rates.
In nearly all the counties examined, the adult obesity rate is lower than the national average of 39.8%. For example, New York County has an obesity rate of 21.2%, while Pitkin County, Colorado, which boasts the highest life expectancy at 94.2 years, has a significantly lower obesity rate of 21.1%.
Economic factors also play a vital role in health outcomes. Many counties with higher life expectancies report median household incomes well above the national median of approximately $78,500. For instance, in Montgomery County, Maryland, the median household income is $125,076, which helps residents afford better healthcare and healthier food options.
Counties with the Longest Life Expectancy
The following counties represent the top ten regions where Americans can expect to live the longest:
1. **Pitkin County, Colorado** – Avg. life expectancy: 94.2 years
– Adult obesity rate: 21.1%
– Median household income: $109,268
2. **Mono County, California** – Avg. life expectancy: 93.6 years
– Adult obesity rate: 29.1%
– Median household income: $82,973
3. **Summit County, Colorado** – Avg. life expectancy: 92.4 years
– Adult obesity rate: 22.7%
– Median household income: $105,135
4. **Oliver County, North Dakota** – Avg. life expectancy: 92.2 years
– Adult obesity rate: 40.0%
– Median household income: $81,382
5. **Eagle County, Colorado** – Avg. life expectancy: 89.7 years
– Adult obesity rate: 22.6%
– Median household income: $110,598
6. **Manassas Park City, Virginia** – Avg. life expectancy: 88.9 years
– Adult obesity rate: 37.4%
– Median household income: $92,611
7. **Denali Borough, Alaska** – Avg. life expectancy: 88.6 years
– Adult obesity rate: 30.8%
– Median household income: $86,118
8. **Teton County, Wyoming** – Avg. life expectancy: 87.6 years
– Adult obesity rate: 22.2%
– Median household income: $130,156
9. **San Juan County, Washington** – Avg. life expectancy: 87.4 years
– Adult obesity rate: 25.9%
– Median household income: $86,442
10. **San Miguel County, Colorado** – Avg. life expectancy: 86.5 years
– Adult obesity rate: 24.7%
– Median household income: $94,927
The longevity observed in these counties is attributed to a combination of healthier lifestyle choices, better economic conditions, and improved access to healthcare. As the U.S. continues to grapple with declining average life expectancy, these regions stand out as examples of how positive environmental and societal factors can contribute to longer, healthier lives.
