The Secret to a Long Life is Hidden in This American County

Safety is extremely important, but it isn’t the only factor you need to consider when choosing a place to live. In fact, while the United States is known for being wealthy and has a strong economy, it is also behind many other countries with similar democratic, free market values, according to the Human Development Index (HDI). The HDI is a comprehensive measure of well-being developed by the United Nations Development Programme. The HDI considers three key factors to provide a holistic assessment of a country’s development potential and overall quality of life: educational attainment, financial stability, and life expectancy. (These are the happiest and most miserable states in America.)

According to the latest HDI report, the U.S. ranks behind 19 other countries, including Australia, Belgium, Canada, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. However, when applied to geographies within the U.S., the HDI reveals that in many parts of the country, quality of life is on par with some of the highest-ranking nations in the U.N.’s report.

Using an index inspired by the HDI, 24/7 Wall St. identified the 40 best U.S. counties across the U.S. to live in. Counties and county equivalents, including independent cities, are ranked on a combination of three measures — average life expectancy at birth, the share of adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher, and poverty rate. Data used to calculate rankings are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2022 American Community Survey and County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a joint program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. All ACS data are five-year averages, and this is the most up-to-date data at this time. Counties with incomplete data were excluded from the analysis. To avoid geographic clustering, we only included one county per metropolitan statistical area. (Unlike these counties below, this is the poorest city in every U.S. state.)

Why We Felt This Was Important to Share

Choosing somewhere to live can be challenging. There are so many factors that go into living your best life. But you need more than just a nice neighborhood to thrive. By looking at the best counties for living in America, you can see what really goes into improving quality of life. If you’re getting ready to move, or thinking about the idea in the future, understanding what counties are ranked high in health, finances, and education can help you choose the best place for your needs.

These are the 40 best U.S. counties to live in:

40. Kendall County, Texas

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.5 years (2.9 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 5.1% (7.4 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 48.5% (14.2 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $104,196 ($29,047 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 45,376
• County seat: Boerne

39. Newport County, Rhode Island

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.0 years (3.5 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 7.8% (4.8 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 52.1% (17.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $96,319 ($21,170 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 85,442
• County seat: Newport

38. Routt County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 84.1 years (5.6 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 8.0% (4.6 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 50.0% (15.7 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $95,144 ($19,995 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 24,944
• County seat: Steamboat Springs

37. York County, Virginia

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.5 years (3.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.7% (7.8 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 49.5% (15.2 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $105,154 ($30,005 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 70,238
• County seat: Yorktown

36. DuPage County, Illinois

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.9 years (3.4 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 6.3% (6.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 51.1% (16.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $107,035 ($31,886 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 930,559
• County seat: Wheaton

35. Dallas County, Iowa

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.8 years (3.2 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 5.7% (6.9 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 51.5% (17.2 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $99,533 ($24,384 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 100,367
• County seat: Adel

34. Aleutians East Borough, Alaska

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 112.5 years (34.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 12.6% (0.1 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 16.9% (17.4 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $79,961 ($4,812 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 3,407
• Borough seat: Sand Point

33. King County, Washington

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years (3.8 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 8.4% (4.1 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 54.8% (20.5 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $116,340 ($41,191 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 2,254,371
• County seat: Seattle

32. San Juan County, Washington

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 86.3 years (7.7 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 11.0% (1.5 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 52.6% (18.3 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $76,745 ($1,596 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 18,001
• County seat: Friday Harbor

31. Wake County, North Carolina

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.6 years (3.1 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 8.2% (4.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 55.7% (21.3 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $96,734 ($21,585 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 1,132,103
• County seat: Raleigh

30. Orange County, North Carolina

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.1 years (3.6 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 12.3% (0.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 61.7% (27.4 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $85,785 ($10,636 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 145,919
• County seat: Hillsborough

29. Oconee County, Georgia

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 80.6 years (2.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.5% (8.1 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 53.5% (19.1 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $116,221 ($41,072 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 41,978
• County seat: Watkinsville

28. Collin County, Texas

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.2 years (3.7 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 6.3% (6.2 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 54.3% (20.0 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $113,255 ($38,106 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 1,079,153
• County seat: McKinney

27. Carver County, Minnesota

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.2 years (4.6 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 3.8% (8.8 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 49.8% (15.5 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $116,308 ($41,159 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 107,216
• County seat: Chaska

26. Chester County, Pennsylvania

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.2 years (2.7 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 6.0% (6.6 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 56.1% (21.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $118,574 ($43,425 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 536,474
• County seat: West Chester

25. Mono County, California

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 103.3 years (24.8 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 11.3% (1.2 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 31.7% (2.6 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $82,038 ($6,889 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 13,219
• County seat: Bridgeport

24. Gunnison County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.9 years (5.4 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 10.8% (1.7 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 59.3% (25.0 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $76,538 ($1,389 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 17,018
• County seat: Gunnison

23. Middlesex County, Massachusetts

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.9 years (3.4 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 7.4% (5.1 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 58.5% (24.2 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $121,304 ($46,155 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 1,623,109
• County seat: Cambridge

22. Ouray County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 85.7 years (7.2 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.8% (7.7 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 49.6% (15.2 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $78,750 ($3,601 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 4,936
• County seat: Ouray

21. Johnson County, Kansas

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.4 years (2.9 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 5.3% (7.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 56.7% (22.4 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $103,644 ($28,495 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 610,742
• County seat: Olathe

20. Boulder County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.6 years (4.1 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 11.3% (1.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 63.2% (28.9 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $99,770 ($24,621 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 328,658
• County seat: Boulder

19. Santa Clara County, California

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 84.7 years (6.1 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 6.9% (5.7 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 55.3% (21.0 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $153,792 ($78,643 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 1,916,831
• County seat: San Jose

18. Forsyth County, Georgia

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years (3.7 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.6% (7.9 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 56.2% (21.9 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $131,660 ($56,511 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 253,225
• County seat: Cumming

17. Albemarle County, Virginia

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.3 years (3.7 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 7.1% (5.4 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 60.1% (25.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $97,708 ($22,559 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 112,513
• County seat: Charlottesville

16. Delaware County, Ohio

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.7 years (3.2 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.5% (8.0 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 57.4% (23.1 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $123,995 ($48,846 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 216,074
• County seat: Delaware

15. Nantucket County, Massachusetts

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.0 years (4.5 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.9% (7.6 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 57.4% (23.1 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $135,590 ($60,441 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 14,065
• County seat: Nantucket

14. Hunterdon County, New Jersey

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.2 years (4.6 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 3.7% (8.8 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 55.5% (21.2 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $133,534 ($58,385 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 129,099
• County seat: Flemington

13. Eagle County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 91.4 years (12.8 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 8.0% (4.5 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 51.8% (17.5 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $98,887 ($23,738 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 55,650
• County seat: Eagle

12. Hamilton County, Indiana

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.6 years (3.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.2% (8.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 60.8% (26.5 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $114,866 ($39,717 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 349,527
• County seat: Noblesville

11. Summit County, Utah

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 85.6 years (7.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 5.2% (7.3 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 57.4% (23.1 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $126,392 ($51,243 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 42,524
• County seat: Coalville

10. Williamson County, Tennessee

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 81.5 years (3.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 4.2% (8.4 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 62.0% (27.7 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $125,943 ($50,794 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 248,897
• County seat: Franklin

9. Marin County, California

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 85.3 years (6.7 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 7.0% (5.6 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 61.1% (26.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $142,019 ($66,870 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 260,485
• County seat: San Rafael

8. Teton County, Wyoming

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 86.7 years (8.2 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 6.9% (5.6 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 60.3% (26.0 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $108,279 ($33,130 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 23,346
• County seat: Jackson

7. Howard County, Maryland

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 82.7 years (4.2 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 5.4% (7.2 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 64.0% (29.7 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $140,971 ($65,822 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 332,011
• County seat: Ellicott City

6. Douglas County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.4 years (4.9 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 3.0% (9.5 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 60.0% (25.7 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $139,010 ($63,861 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 360,206
• County seat: Castle Rock

5. Summit County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 93.5 years (15.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 7.4% (5.1 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 52.3% (17.9 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $100,611 ($25,462 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 30,955
• County seat: Breckenridge

4. San Miguel County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 93.6 years (15.1 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 8.5% (4.1 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 62.2% (27.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $72,829 ($2,320 less than U.S. median)
• Population: 8,082
• County seat: Telluride

3. Los Alamos County, New Mexico

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 83.9 years (5.3 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 3.7% (8.8 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 69.7% (35.4 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $135,801 ($60,652 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 19,253
• County seat: Los Alamos

2. Pitkin County, Colorado

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 92.5 years (14.0 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 6.7% (5.9 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 63.1% (28.8 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $96,123 ($20,974 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 17,325
• County seat: Aspen

1. Falls Church, Virginia (independent city)

• Avg. life expectancy at birth: 80.6 years (2.1 years above U.S. avg.)
• Poverty rate: 2.3% (10.2 ppt. below U.S. avg.)
• Adults with a bachelor’s degree: 78.9% (44.6 ppt. above U.S. avg.)
• Median household income: $164,536 ($89,387 more than U.S. median)
• Population: 14,576
• County seat: None