Health in Delaware, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Delaware was 76.5 years in 2022, 19th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

76.5 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

7.77

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

33.4

2024

Suicides per 100,000

11.8

2024

People without health insurance

6.9%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

234,783

June 2026

Adults with obesity

36.6%

2024

How long do men and women live in Delaware?

Women in Delaware could expect to live 79.5 years and men 73.6 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.9 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Is life expectancy in Delaware going up?

Life expectancy in Delaware was 76.3 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.2 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How long do people live after 65 in Delaware?

A 65-year-old in Delaware could expect to live another 18.8 years in 2022 (19.9 for women, 17.5 for men); 24th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

What is the infant mortality rate in Delaware?

82 babies died before their first birthday in Delaware in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 7.77 per 1,000 live births; 3rd highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.44 (68 deaths).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many people die of drug overdoses in Delaware?

338 people died of drug overdoses in Delaware in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 33.4 per 100,000 people; 13th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 53.0 in 2023 (525 deaths) and 48.0 in 2019.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Are overdose deaths falling in Delaware?

CDC provisional data count about 255 drug overdose deaths in Delaware in the 12 months to May 2026, down 27.4% on the 12 months to May 2025 (351); nationally the count went from 75,094 to 66,478. These counts are predicted values that allow for deaths still being investigated.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many overdose deaths in Delaware involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 167 of the 255 reported overdose deaths in Delaware in the 12 months to May 2026 (65%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 27 (11%). A death can involve more than one drug.

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many people die of heart disease in Delaware?

Heart disease killed 2,259 people in Delaware in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 151.5 per 100,000; 19th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 154.3).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

What is the cancer death rate in Delaware?

Cancer caused 2,349 deaths in Delaware in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 150.6 per 100,000; 15th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 151.9).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

What is the suicide rate in Delaware?

125 people in Delaware died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 11.8 per 100,000; 10th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 11.3 (111 deaths).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many gun deaths are there in Delaware?

Firearms were involved in 123 deaths in Delaware in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 11.8 per 100,000, joint 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 9.9).

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

How many people in Delaware have no health insurance?

6.9% of people in Delaware, about 72,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.4 percentage points on 2023 (6.5%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Delaware are uninsured?

5.8% of children under 19 in Delaware were uninsured in 2024, against 9.6% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Delaware are on Medicaid?

13.7% of residents of Delaware were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 44.7% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people are on Medicaid in Delaware?

234,783 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Delaware in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 4.2% on June 2025 (244,962); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How much has Medicaid enrollment in Delaware changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Delaware had 306,822 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 23.5% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Delaware?

Children made up 103,908 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Delaware in June 2026 (44%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 130,875. Delaware has expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

What is the obesity rate in Delaware?

36.6% of adults in Delaware had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; joint 15th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 29.7%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people smoke in Delaware?

10.1% of adults in Delaware smoked cigarettes in 2024 (16th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 17.4% in 2015. 6.6% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Delaware?

13.2% of adults in Delaware had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 18.6% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 13th highest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people in Delaware cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 25.2% of adults in Delaware said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 9.5% said that in the past year they had needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost (state medians: 21.8% and 11.5%).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How common is depression in Delaware?

13.1% of adults in Delaware reported binge drinking in 2024, and 21.4% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How Delaware compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Delaware ranks 34 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
31	Maine	76.6 years
32	District of Columbia	76.6 years
33	Kansas	76.5 years
34	Delaware	76.5 years
35	Nevada	76.4 years
36	Georgia	75.9 years
37	North Carolina	75.9 years

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Delaware ranks 24 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
21	Nebraska	18.9 years
22	Arizona	18.8 years
23	Oregon	18.8 years
24	Delaware	18.8 years
25	Pennsylvania	18.7 years
26	Illinois	18.7 years
27	Iowa	18.7 years

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Delaware ranks 3 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
1	Mississippi	9.65
2	Arkansas	8.28
3	Delaware	7.77
4	Louisiana	7.58
5	South Carolina	7.49
6	Oklahoma	7.42
7	South Dakota	7.34

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Delaware ranks 13 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
10	Louisiana	33.5
11	Kentucky	33.5
12	Oregon	33.5
13	Delaware	33.4
14	Arizona	32.6
15	Rhode Island	28.0
16	South Carolina	27.5

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)

Delaware ranks 43 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional)
40	Hawaii	295
41	Alaska	292
42	Idaho	265
43	Delaware	255
44	New Hampshire	245
45	Rhode Island	186
46	Nebraska	167

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Delaware ranks 33 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
30	Illinois	153.2
31	Nebraska	152.7
32	Virginia	151.7
33	Delaware	151.5
34	Idaho	146.6
35	Rhode Island	146.5
36	New York	145.7

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Delaware ranks 15 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
12	South Carolina	151.9
13	Kansas	151.4
14	Michigan	151.1
15	Delaware	150.6
16	Iowa	149.4
17	Maine	149.2
18	Alaska	149.1

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Delaware ranks 42 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
39	Hawaii	13.7
40	Pennsylvania	13.3
41	Virginia	12.9
42	Delaware	11.8
43	Illinois	10.8
44	Connecticut	10.0
45	Maryland	9.7

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)

Delaware ranks 38 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
35	Michigan	11.9
36	Maine	11.9
37	Iowa	11.8
38	Delaware	11.8
39	Maryland	11.6
40	Washington	11.0
41	Nebraska	10.9

Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copy

People without health insurance (2024)

Delaware ranks 29 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population

Rank	Region	People without health insurance
26	Nebraska	7.1%
27	Illinois	6.9%
28	Virginia	6.9%
29	Delaware	6.9%
30	Kentucky	6.8%
31	Ohio	6.7%
32	Washington	6.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Delaware ranks 23 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
20	Colorado	6.0%
21	South Carolina	5.9%
22	Mississippi	5.8%
23	Delaware	5.8%
24	Ohio	5.6%
25	North Carolina	5.5%
26	Pennsylvania	5.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)

Delaware ranks 44 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)

Rank	Region	Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026
41	Idaho	307,060
42	Rhode Island	283,863
43	District of Columbia	237,170
44	Delaware	234,783
45	Alaska	206,739
46	Montana	205,414
47	New Hampshire	167,648

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)

Delaware ranks 29 of 51, highest first. March 2023 was the last month of pandemic continuous enrollment

Rank	Region	Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023
26	Wisconsin	-23.3%
27	Rhode Island	-23.3%
28	Illinois	-23.4%
29	Delaware	-23.5%
30	Ohio	-24.1%
31	New Mexico	-24.4%
32	Massachusetts	-24.6%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)

Delaware ranks 16 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
13	North Dakota	36.8%
14	Oklahoma	36.8%
15	Iowa	36.6%
16	Delaware	36.6%
17	Michigan	36.1%
18	Texas	35.6%
19	Georgia	35.4%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Delaware ranks 35 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
32	Illinois	10.5%
33	Minnesota	10.2%
34	Arizona	10.2%
35	Delaware	10.1%
36	Texas	10.0%
37	New York	9.9%
38	Rhode Island	9.9%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Delaware ranks 13 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
10	Nevada	13.6%
11	Texas	13.5%
12	Pennsylvania	13.3%
13	Delaware	13.2%
14	Oklahoma	13.2%
15	North Carolina	13.2%
16	Ohio	13.1%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

More on Delaware: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Types of health insurance coverage by age (B27010), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 737090000f71…)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Prevalence Data, 2011 to present: selected questions, 2015 and 2023-2025, all adults, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7ab093888a27…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Cancer mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 16647d000278…)
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: State Medicaid and CHIP Applications, Eligibility Determinations, and Enrollment Data (Performance Indicator data, September 2026 release), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fc730af4f67…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Firearm mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 93f4daddcb09…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Heart disease mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 53ffcd80b442…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Infant mortality rates by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8e6ba1c198b…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): U.S. State Life Tables, 2022 (National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 74, No. 12), Tables A, B and C, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1373546ce89…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Drug overdose mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1990aeae39f4…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Suicide mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5df6571a02ff…)
National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): VSRR Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (12-month ending periods, May and December 2019-2026, selected indicators), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 68a227998fc5…)

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