Special Report
50 US Counties with the Shortest Life Expectancy
November 27, 2021 8:00 am
Last Updated: December 7, 2021 1:56 pm
20. Bennett County, South Dakota
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.4
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 26.2% — 397th highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 41.6% — 236th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 32.1% — 26th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 24.6% — 42nd highest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $47,500 — 1,079th lowest of 3,070 counties (tied)
> Poverty rate: 35.9% — 26th highest of 3,070 counties
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
19. Edwards County, Kansas
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.3
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 19.2% — 1,439th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 35.1% — 1,244th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 20.6% — 1,361st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 6.6% — 1,019th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $50,902 — 1,453rd lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 10.0% — 630th lowest of 3,070 counties
24/7 Wall St.
18. McDowell County, West Virginia
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 69.0
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 36.5% — 10th highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 44.9% — 80th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 34.7% — 8th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 6.0% — 841st lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $27,682 — 29th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 33.2% — 50th highest of 3,070 counties
17. Kingman County, Kansas
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 68.9
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 14.1% — 327th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 31.2% — 1,024th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 18.5% — 711th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.7% — 730th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $60,469 — 719th highest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 7.6% — 233rd lowest of 3,070 counties
16. Perry County, Kentucky
> Life expectancy at birth (years): 68.5
> Adults reporting poor or fair health: 29.6% — 125th highest of 3,070 counties
> Adult obesity rate: 43.3% — 130th highest of 3,070 counties
> Smoking rate: 29.2% — 87th highest of 3,070 counties
> Population without health insurance: 5.2% — 566th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Median household income: $33,640 — 124th lowest of 3,070 counties
> Poverty rate: 26.1% — 172nd highest of 3,070 counties
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