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The County With the Shortest Life Expectancy in Every State

The County With the Shortest Life Expectancy in Every State

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 drop 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

Even before the pandemic, there were parts of the country where life expectancy at birth was far lower than the national average — in some cases by 10 years or more. 

Using data from County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute joint program, 24/7 Tempo identified the county with the shortest life expectancy at birth in every state. Life expectancy figures are averages for the years 2017 through 2019, the most recent period for which county-level data is available.

Though each county and county equivalent on this list has the shortest life expectancy at birth in its state, average life expectancies vary considerably — from more than 80 years to less than 65. The comparable national average life expectancy stands at 79.2 years. 

Variations in life expectancy are tied to a number of factors. Tobacco use, for example, is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., and in nearly every county on this list, the share of adults who smoke is above the corresponding statewide 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 or a range of 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 most counties on this list, the poverty rate exceeds the statewide poverty rate. 

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Alabama: Walker County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 70.5 (Alabama: 75.6)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.1% (Alabama: 21.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 39.4% (Alabama: 36.1%)
> Smoking rate: 24.7% (Alabama: 20.0%)
> Population without health insurance: 11.8% (Alabama: 9.5%)
> Median household income: $43,629 (Alabama: $50,536)
> Poverty rate: 18.1% (Alabama: 16.7%)

Source: Becker, Don, USGS EROS - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service / Wikimedia Commons

Alaska: Kusilvak Census Area
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 67.2 (Alaska: 79.0)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 41.9% (Alaska: 15.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 23.1% (Alaska: 31.9%)
> Smoking rate: 44.6% (Alaska: 18.5%)
> Population without health insurance: 19.9% (Alaska: 13.6%)
> Median household income: $36,754 (Alaska: $77,640)
> Poverty rate: 39.0% (Alaska: 10.7%)

Source: CampPhoto / Getty Images

Arizona: Apache County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 73.1 (Arizona: 80.0)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 31.2% (Arizona: 18.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.4% (Arizona: 27.9%)
> Smoking rate: 25.0% (Arizona: 14.5%)
> Population without health insurance: 25.1% (Arizona: 10.4%)
> Median household income: $32,508 (Arizona: $58,945)
> Poverty rate: 35.5% (Arizona: 15.1%)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

Arkansas: Monroe County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.7 (Arkansas: 76.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 32.1% (Arkansas: 23.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 43.5% (Arkansas: 35.0%)
> Smoking rate: 28.2% (Arkansas: 23.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 8.9% (Arkansas: 8.5%)
> Median household income: $38,468 (Arkansas: $47,597)
> Poverty rate: 27.1% (Arkansas: 17.0%)

Source: alacatr / iStock via Getty Images

California: Lake County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 74.6 (California: 81.7)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.2% (California: 17.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 22.4% (California: 24.3%)
> Smoking rate: 18.3% (California: 11.5%)
> Population without health insurance: 7.1% (California: 7.5%)
> Median household income: $47,040 (California: $75,235)
> Poverty rate: 18.6% (California: 13.4%)

Source: U.S. NWS / Wikimedia Commons

Colorado: Dolores County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 73.2 (Colorado: 80.6)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% (Colorado: 13.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 21.7% (Colorado: 22.4%)
> Smoking rate: 20.1% (Colorado: 14.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 5.3% (Colorado: 7.6%)
> Median household income: $45,972 (Colorado: $72,331)
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (Colorado: 10.3%)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Connecticut: Windham County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 78.5 (Connecticut: 80.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.5% (Connecticut: 13.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.0% (Connecticut: 26.3%)
> Smoking rate: 16.4% (Connecticut: 12.5%)
> Population without health insurance: 4.1% (Connecticut: 5.3%)
> Median household income: $66,550 (Connecticut: $78,444)
> Poverty rate: 11.4% (Connecticut: 9.9%)

Source: David Osberg / Getty Images

Delaware: Kent County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 77.8 (Delaware: 78.5)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.0% (Delaware: 16.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.4% (Delaware: 32.4%)
> Smoking rate: 19.7% (Delaware: 17.4%)
> Population without health insurance: 7.1% (Delaware: 5.7%)
> Median household income: $60,910 (Delaware: $68,287)
> Poverty rate: 13.5% (Delaware: 11.8%)

Source: Ebyabe / Wikimedia Commons

Florida: Union County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 68.3 (Florida: 80.2)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.7% (Florida: 19.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 37.4% (Florida: 27.2%)
> Smoking rate: 29.5% (Florida: 14.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 10.8% (Florida: 12.8%)
> Median household income: $44,270 (Florida: $55,660)
> Poverty rate: 20.8% (Florida: 14.0%)

Source: miroslav_1 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Georgia: Quitman County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 70.9 (Georgia: 77.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.8% (Georgia: 18.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.9% (Georgia: 32.3%)
> Smoking rate: 25.1% (Georgia: 16.3%)
> Population without health insurance: 23.6% (Georgia: 13.2%)
> Median household income: $26,667 (Georgia: $58,700)
> Poverty rate: 20.3% (Georgia: 15.1%)

Source: Boogich / iStock via Getty Images

Hawaii: Hawaii County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 80.6 (Hawaii: 82.3)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.1% (Hawaii: 15.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 25.8% (Hawaii: 24.6%)
> Smoking rate: 18.7% (Hawaii: 14.4%)
> Population without health insurance: 4.9% (Hawaii: 3.9%)
> Median household income: $62,409 (Hawaii: $81,275)
> Poverty rate: 15.6% (Hawaii: 9.4%)

Source: Jeff T. Green / Getty Images

Idaho: Benewah County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 74.4 (Idaho: 79.4)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.4% (Idaho: 15.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.1% (Idaho: 29.0%)
> Smoking rate: 22.2% (Idaho: 15.0%)
> Population without health insurance: 11.4% (Idaho: 10.6%)
> Median household income: $47,556 (Idaho: $55,785)
> Poverty rate: 17.3% (Idaho: 13.1%)

Source: Daniel Schwen / Wikimedia Commons

Illinois: Hardin County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 72.4 (Illinois: 79.4)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.7% (Illinois: 15.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 29.4% (Illinois: 29.7%)
> Smoking rate: 24.9% (Illinois: 15.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 8.1% (Illinois: 6.8%)
> Median household income: $51,250 (Illinois: $65,886)
> Poverty rate: 13.1% (Illinois: 12.5%)

Source: Bedford / Wikimedia Commons

Indiana: Scott County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.9 (Indiana: 77.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 22.3% (Indiana: 18.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 34.0% (Indiana: 33.9%)
> Smoking rate: 27.4% (Indiana: 21.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 8.5% (Indiana: 8.4%)
> Median household income: $48,700 (Indiana: $56,303)
> Poverty rate: 14.9% (Indiana: 13.4%)

Source: Judd Furlong / Wikimedia Commons

Iowa: Montgomery County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 75.8 (Iowa: 79.4)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 16.1% (Iowa: 13.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 32.2% (Iowa: 34.3%)
> Smoking rate: 21.9% (Iowa: 17.4%)
> Population without health insurance: 3.5% (Iowa: 4.7%)
> Median household income: $51,696 (Iowa: $60,523)
> Poverty rate: 12.0% (Iowa: 11.5%)

Source: Ichabod / Wikimedia Commons

Kansas: Kingman County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 68.9 (Kansas: 78.5)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.1% (Kansas: 16.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.2% (Kansas: 33.0%)
> Smoking rate: 18.5% (Kansas: 17.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 5.7% (Kansas: 8.8%)
> Median household income: $60,469 (Kansas: $59,597)
> Poverty rate: 7.6% (Kansas: 12.0%)

Source: Nyttend / Wikimedia Commons

Kentucky: Perry County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 68.5 (Kentucky: 75.6)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.6% (Kentucky: 21.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 43.3% (Kentucky: 34.6%)
> Smoking rate: 29.2% (Kentucky: 24.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 5.2% (Kentucky: 5.7%)
> Median household income: $33,640 (Kentucky: $50,589)
> Poverty rate: 26.1% (Kentucky: 17.3%)

Source: Billy Hathorn / Wikimedia Commons

Louisiana: Morehouse Parish
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.4 (Louisiana: 76.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.3% (Louisiana: 21.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 43.2% (Louisiana: 36.3%)
> Smoking rate: 27.7% (Louisiana: 21.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 9.2% (Louisiana: 9.5%)
> Median household income: $32,929 (Louisiana: $49,469)
> Poverty rate: 28.3% (Louisiana: 19.2%)

Source: Tim Pierce / Wikimedia Commons

Maine: Somerset County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 76.5 (Maine: 78.7)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.0% (Maine: 17.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 33.7% (Maine: 29.8%)
> Smoking rate: 25.8% (Maine: 19.4%)
> Population without health insurance: 9.4% (Maine: 7.9%)
> Median household income: $44,256 (Maine: $57,918)
> Poverty rate: 20.4% (Maine: 11.8%)

Source: peeterv / Getty Images

Maryland: Baltimore city
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 72.9 (Maryland: 79.2)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 21.2% (Maryland: 15.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.4% (Maryland: 31.6%)
> Smoking rate: 21.4% (Maryland: 12.6%)
> Population without health insurance: 6.6% (Maryland: 6.1%)
> Median household income: $50,379 (Maryland: $84,805)
> Poverty rate: 21.2% (Maryland: 9.2%)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / Getty Images

Massachusetts: Hampden County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 78.2 (Massachusetts: 80.6)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.1% (Massachusetts: 13.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.5% (Massachusetts: 25.0%)
> Smoking rate: 18.5% (Massachusetts: 13.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 3.1% (Massachusetts: 2.7%)
> Median household income: $55,429 (Massachusetts: $81,215)
> Poverty rate: 16.4% (Massachusetts: 10.3%)

Source: rossograph / Wikimedia Commons

Michigan: Clare County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 74.9 (Michigan: 78.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.2% (Michigan: 18.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.0% (Michigan: 32.4%)
> Smoking rate: 26.8% (Michigan: 20.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 11.3% (Michigan: 5.5%)
> Median household income: $39,565 (Michigan: $57,144)
> Poverty rate: 22.7% (Michigan: 14.4%)

Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons

Minnesota: Mahnomen County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 70.1 (Minnesota: 80.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.3% (Minnesota: 12.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.4% (Minnesota: 29.0%)
> Smoking rate: 30.0% (Minnesota: 15.5%)
> Population without health insurance: 14.0% (Minnesota: 4.5%)
> Median household income: $44,688 (Minnesota: $71,306)
> Poverty rate: 23.3% (Minnesota: 9.7%)

Source: Kirkikis / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Mississippi: Tunica County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.9 (Mississippi: 74.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.1% (Mississippi: 22.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 44.2% (Mississippi: 39.1%)
> Smoking rate: 23.0% (Mississippi: 21.0%)
> Population without health insurance: 15.1% (Mississippi: 12.3%)
> Median household income: $39,370 (Mississippi: $45,081)
> Poverty rate: 24.0% (Mississippi: 20.3%)

Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Missouri: Pemiscot County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.6 (Missouri: 77.3)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 30.5% (Missouri: 19.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.0% (Missouri: 32.5%)
> Smoking rate: 28.4% (Missouri: 20.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 12.9% (Missouri: 9.3%)
> Median household income: $33,859 (Missouri: $55,461)
> Poverty rate: 27.4% (Missouri: 13.7%)

Source: J.B. Chandler / Wikimedia Commons

Montana: Roosevelt County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 67.7 (Montana: 78.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.4% (Montana: 14.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.9% (Montana: 27.1%)
> Smoking rate: 31.3% (Montana: 18.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 27.7% (Montana: 9.0%)
> Median household income: $43,194 (Montana: $54,970)
> Poverty rate: 28.3% (Montana: 13.1%)

Source: Ammodramus / Wikimedia Commons

Nebraska: Thurston County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.5 (Nebraska: 79.6)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 23.5% (Nebraska: 13.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 47.2% (Nebraska: 33.4%)
> Smoking rate: 27.1% (Nebraska: 16.6%)
> Population without health insurance: 25.3% (Nebraska: 8.2%)
> Median household income: $51,034 (Nebraska: $61,439)
> Poverty rate: 25.5% (Nebraska: 11.1%)

Source: Famartin / Wikimedia Commons

Nevada: Mineral County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 73.4 (Nevada: 78.7)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.4% (Nevada: 19.1%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.3% (Nevada: 27.1%)
> Smoking rate: 24.1% (Nevada: 15.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 9.8% (Nevada: 11.1%)
> Median household income: $35,806 (Nevada: $60,365)
> Poverty rate: 19.8% (Nevada: 13.1%)

Source: BOB WESTON / Getty Images

New Hampshire: Coos County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 77.3 (New Hampshire: 79.7)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.5% (New Hampshire: 12.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.7% (New Hampshire: 28.6%)
> Smoking rate: 19.8% (New Hampshire: 16.6%)
> Population without health insurance: 7.2% (New Hampshire: 5.9%)
> Median household income: $47,117 (New Hampshire: $76,768)
> Poverty rate: 12.5% (New Hampshire: 7.6%)

Source: dougtone / Flickr

New Jersey: Cumberland County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 75.3 (New Jersey: 80.5)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.2% (New Jersey: 15.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.5% (New Jersey: 27.0%)
> Smoking rate: 22.6% (New Jersey: 13.2%)
> Population without health insurance: 9.4% (New Jersey: 7.8%)
> Median household income: $54,149 (New Jersey: $82,545)
> Poverty rate: 16.5% (New Jersey: 10.0%)

Source: wolfgangstaudt / Flickr

New Mexico: McKinley County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.9 (New Mexico: 78.0)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 31.3% (New Mexico: 20.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.3% (New Mexico: 27.3%)
> Smoking rate: 27.6% (New Mexico: 15.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 19.9% (New Mexico: 9.6%)
> Median household income: $33,834 (New Mexico: $49,754)
> Poverty rate: 34.8% (New Mexico: 19.1%)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

New York: Chemung County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 76.5 (New York: 81.4)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.6% (New York: 16.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.1% (New York: 26.4%)
> Smoking rate: 23.6% (New York: 13.0%)
> Population without health insurance: 4.3% (New York: 5.8%)
> Median household income: $54,940 (New York: $68,486)
> Poverty rate: 13.9% (New York: 14.1%)

Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images

North Carolina: Swain County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.4 (North Carolina: 78.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 25.5% (North Carolina: 18.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.0% (North Carolina: 32.3%)
> Smoking rate: 27.4% (North Carolina: 17.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 21.5% (North Carolina: 10.7%)
> Median household income: $39,317 (North Carolina: $54,602)
> Poverty rate: 17.5% (North Carolina: 14.7%)

Source: Andrew Filer / Wikimedia Commons

North Dakota: Sioux County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 68.5 (North Dakota: 79.7)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 33.9% (North Dakota: 13.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 36.3% (North Dakota: 33.9%)
> Smoking rate: 36.2% (North Dakota: 19.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 31.6% (North Dakota: 7.4%)
> Median household income: $38,939 (North Dakota: $64,894)
> Poverty rate: 38.2% (North Dakota: 10.7%)

Source: dok1 / Flickr

Ohio: Scioto County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 72.0 (Ohio: 77.0)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 24.2% (Ohio: 17.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 38.6% (Ohio: 33.5%)
> Smoking rate: 29.7% (Ohio: 21.4%)
> Population without health insurance: 5.5% (Ohio: 6.1%)
> Median household income: $41,330 (Ohio: $56,602)
> Poverty rate: 22.6% (Ohio: 14.0%)

Source: Pigdogx / Wikimedia Commons

Oklahoma: Okfuskee County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.6 (Oklahoma: 76.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.4% (Oklahoma: 20.9%)
> Adult obesity rate: 58.9% (Oklahoma: 34.5%)
> Smoking rate: 28.9% (Oklahoma: 19.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 23.6% (Oklahoma: 14.1%)
> Median household income: $38,411 (Oklahoma: $52,919)
> Poverty rate: 26.3% (Oklahoma: 15.7%)

Source: Rex_Wholster / iStock via Getty Images

Oregon: Klamath County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 75.7 (Oregon: 79.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.9% (Oregon: 18.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.1% (Oregon: 29.3%)
> Smoking rate: 21.6% (Oregon: 15.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 8.5% (Oregon: 6.7%)
> Median household income: $46,491 (Oregon: $62,818)
> Poverty rate: 19.5% (Oregon: 13.2%)

Source: ARK NEYMAN / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Pennsylvania: Wyoming County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 75.0 (Pennsylvania: 78.5)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 17.2% (Pennsylvania: 17.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 31.2% (Pennsylvania: 30.8%)
> Smoking rate: 22.6% (Pennsylvania: 17.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 3.9% (Pennsylvania: 5.7%)
> Median household income: $59,415 (Pennsylvania: $61,744)
> Poverty rate: 10.4% (Pennsylvania: 12.4%)

Source: Kenneth C. Zirkel / Wikimedia Commons

Rhode Island: Kent County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 79.2 (Rhode Island: 79.8)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.4% (Rhode Island: 16.5%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.4% (Rhode Island: 28.5%)
> Smoking rate: 18.5% (Rhode Island: 15.2%)
> Population without health insurance: 3.4% (Rhode Island: 4.5%)
> Median household income: $73,521 (Rhode Island: $67,167)
> Poverty rate: 7.6% (Rhode Island: 12.4%)

Source: gerrydincher / Flickr

South Carolina: Lee County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.5 (South Carolina: 77.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.1% (South Carolina: 17.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 40.1% (South Carolina: 34.0%)
> Smoking rate: 24.4% (South Carolina: 18.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 11.1% (South Carolina: 10.5%)
> Median household income: $32,371 (South Carolina: $53,199)
> Poverty rate: 25.0% (South Carolina: 15.2%)

Source: Courtesy of Oglala Lakota County School District

South Dakota: Oglala Lakota County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 64.4 (South Dakota: 78.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 34.9% (South Dakota: 13.4%)
> Adult obesity rate: 40.4% (South Dakota: 32.4%)
> Smoking rate: 40.9% (South Dakota: 20.2%)
> Population without health insurance: 36.5% (South Dakota: 9.5%)
> Median household income: $31,997 (South Dakota: $58,275)
> Poverty rate: 46.2% (South Dakota: 13.1%)

Source: danlogan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Tennessee: Hancock County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 70.5 (Tennessee: 76.0)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 27.7% (Tennessee: 21.2%)
> Adult obesity rate: 28.6% (Tennessee: 33.3%)
> Smoking rate: 30.8% (Tennessee: 20.8%)
> Population without health insurance: 10.8% (Tennessee: 9.7%)
> Median household income: $30,136 (Tennessee: $53,320)
> Poverty rate: 28.6% (Tennessee: 15.2%)

Source: Aualliso / Wikimedia Commons

Texas: Donley County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 72.8 (Texas: 79.2)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.5% (Texas: 18.7%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.5% (Texas: 31.4%)
> Smoking rate: 19.6% (Texas: 14.2%)
> Population without health insurance: 14.1% (Texas: 17.2%)
> Median household income: $42,961 (Texas: $61,874)
> Poverty rate: 14.7% (Texas: 14.7%)

Source: fotoneurotic / iStock via Getty Images

Utah: Carbon County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 76.2 (Utah: 80.1)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 18.4% (Utah: 14.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 30.3% (Utah: 27.0%)
> Smoking rate: 14.5% (Utah: 9.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 9.5% (Utah: 9.4%)
> Median household income: $51,158 (Utah: $71,621)
> Poverty rate: 16.8% (Utah: 9.8%)

Source: DenisTangneyJr / iStock via Getty Images

Vermont: Rutland County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 77.4 (Vermont: 79.8)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.5% (Vermont: 12.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 33.1% (Vermont: 27.0%)
> Smoking rate: 17.5% (Vermont: 14.7%)
> Population without health insurance: 4.6% (Vermont: 4.0%)
> Median household income: $56,139 (Vermont: $61,973)
> Poverty rate: 10.1% (Vermont: 10.9%)

Source: ablokhin / iStock via Getty Images

Virginia: Covington city
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 67.1 (Virginia: 79.6)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 20.8% (Virginia: 16.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 24.2% (Virginia: 30.5%)
> Smoking rate: 23.4% (Virginia: 15.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 9.9% (Virginia: 8.6%)
> Median household income: $40,655 (Virginia: $74,222)
> Poverty rate: 13.2% (Virginia: 10.6%)

Source: halbergman / E+ via Getty Images

Washington: Grays Harbor County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 76.8 (Washington: 80.4)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.7% (Washington: 15.0%)
> Adult obesity rate: 35.6% (Washington: 28.6%)
> Smoking rate: 17.8% (Washington: 12.1%)
> Population without health insurance: 7.3% (Washington: 6.3%)
> Median household income: $51,240 (Washington: $73,775)
> Poverty rate: 14.4% (Washington: 10.8%)

Source: Coal town guy / Wikimedia Commons

West Virginia: McDowell County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.0 (West Virginia: 74.8)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 36.5% (West Virginia: 23.6%)
> Adult obesity rate: 44.9% (West Virginia: 37.8%)
> Smoking rate: 34.7% (West Virginia: 26.9%)
> Population without health insurance: 6.0% (West Virginia: 6.0%)
> Median household income: $27,682 (West Virginia: $46,711)
> Poverty rate: 33.2% (West Virginia: 17.6%)

Source: SamWagnerTimelapse / iStock via Getty Images

Wisconsin: Menominee County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 71.6 (Wisconsin: 79.5)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 28.7% (Wisconsin: 14.8%)
> Adult obesity rate: 45.0% (Wisconsin: 31.7%)
> Smoking rate: 33.6% (Wisconsin: 17.2%)
> Population without health insurance: 24.8% (Wisconsin: 5.4%)
> Median household income: $40,921 (Wisconsin: $61,747)
> Poverty rate: 35.3% (Wisconsin: 11.3%)

Source: 25or6to4 / Wikimedia Commons

Wyoming: Hot Springs County
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 74.1 (Wyoming: 78.9)
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 15.7% (Wyoming: 15.3%)
> Adult obesity rate: 29.5% (Wyoming: 29.2%)
> Smoking rate: 19.1% (Wyoming: 19.2%)
> Population without health insurance: 14.0% (Wyoming: 11.4%)
> Median household income: $51,413 (Wyoming: $64,049)
> Poverty rate: 15.2% (Wyoming: 11.0%)

Methodology

To determine the county with the shortest life expectancy in every state, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on life expectancy — the average number of years a person can expect to live — 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, 3,141 had boundaries that fell within one of the 50 states, while the rest were in the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico. 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 3,069 places were ranked within their state 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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