Counties with the highest life expectancy in Pennsylvania
In the United States, life expectancy rates have witnessed a significant rise, with nearly a seven-year increase over the last 50 years. (The average life span was reported as 70.8 in 1970 and increased to 77.5 in 2022, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.) Numerous elements impact how long a person may live—from genetic factors to consumption of alcohol and tobacco, as well as dietary habits, body weight, and levels of physical activity. Additionally, the location of residence holds considerable importance.
In several regions worldwide, referred to as “blue zones,” there exists a remarkably high population of individuals who reach at least 100 years of age. These five specific regions—Ikaria, Greece; Loma Linda, California; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Okinawa, Japan; and Sardinia, Italy—are subjects of extensive study, as researchers seek to uncover the dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors that may encourage such longevity. While it might not be immediately apparent, your place of residence can have a considerable effect on your lifespan, which explains why certain states and even counties in the U.S. display elevated life expectancy rates in comparison to others.
By investigating the 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Stacker pinpointed the counties with the highest life expectancy in Pennsylvania. Life expectancy represents the average number of years a person born in a given area might live and is determined based on the total deaths within a specified timeframe and the average population at risk of dying during that span. Counties lacking reliable or adequate data were omitted from the evaluation. Mortality statistics were sourced from the National Vital Statistics System.
Continue reading to find out if your county is among the top.
You may also enjoy: The count of registered hunters in Pennsylvania
#25. Dauphin County
– Life expectancy: 77.3 years
— Equivalent to the state average
#23. Columbia County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.5 years
— 0.2 years above the state average
#23. Monroe County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.5 years
— 0.2 years above the state average
#20. Delaware County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.6 years
— 0.3 years above the state average
#20. Huntingdon County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.6 years
— 0.3 years above the state average
You may also enjoy: Ham, potatoes, and other groceries that decreased in price across the Northeast last month
#20. Bradford County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.6 years
— 0.3 years above the state average
#16. Susquehanna County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.7 years
— 0.4 years above the state average
#16. Montour County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.7 years
— 0.4 years above the state average
#16. York County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.7 years
— 0.4 years above the state average
#16. Lebanon County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.7 years
— 0.4 years above the state average
You may also enjoy: Top colleges in Pennsylvania
#14. Franklin County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.9 years
— 0.6 years above the state average
#14. Butler County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.9 years
— 0.6 years above the state average
#13. Berks County
– Life expectancy: 78.0 years
— 0.7 years above the state average
#12. Lehigh County
– Life expectancy: 78.4 years
— 1.1 years above the state average
#9. Lancaster County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.3 years
— 2.0 years above the state average
You may also enjoy: Counties with the highest opioid dispensing in Pennsylvania
#9. Bucks County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.3 years
— 2.0 years above the state average
#9. Northampton County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.3 years
— 2.0 years above the state average
#8. Adams County
– Life expectancy: 79.4 years
— 2.1 years above the state average
#7. Pike County
– Life expectancy: 79.5 years
— 2.2 years above the state average
#6. Cumberland County
– Life expectancy: 79.6 years
— 2.3 years above the state average
You may also enjoy: Counties where properties are selling rapidly in Pennsylvania
#5. Snyder County
– Life expectancy: 79.7 years
— 2.4 years above the state average
#4. Montgomery County
– Life expectancy: 80.1 years
— 2.8 years above the state average
#3. Union County
– Life expectancy: 80.7 years
— 3.4 years above the state average
#2. Chester County
– Life expectancy: 81.1 years
— 3.8 years above the state average
#1. Centre County
– Life expectancy: 81.6 years
— 4.3 years above the state average
This article features data reporting by Karim Noorani, written by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series employing data automation across 50 states.
You may also enjoy: The number of individuals receiving substance use treatment in Pennsylvania
By Stacker
