Health in District of Columbia, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in the District of Columbia was 76.6 years in 2022, 20th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
How long do men and women live in the District of Columbia?
Women in the District of Columbia could expect to live 79.6 years and men 73.3 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 6.3 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in the District of Columbia going up?
Life expectancy in the District of Columbia was 75.3 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.3 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in the District of Columbia?
A 65-year-old in the District of Columbia could expect to live another 18.7 years in 2022 (20.2 for women, 16.9 for men); 25th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in the District of Columbia?
46 babies died before their first birthday in the District of Columbia in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 6.04 per 1,000 live births; 20th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 4.96 (45 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in the District of Columbia?
315 people died of drug overdoses in the District of Columbia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 43.2 per 100,000 people; 3rd highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 60.7 in 2023 (427 deaths) and 43.2 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in the District of Columbia?
CDC provisional data count about 318 drug overdose deaths in the District of Columbia in the 12 months to May 2026, down 12.2% on the 12 months to May 2025 (362); 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 copyHow many overdose deaths in the District of Columbia involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 205 of the 317 reported overdose deaths in the District of Columbia in the 12 months to May 2026 (65%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 28 (9%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in the District of Columbia?
Heart disease killed 1,085 people in the District of Columbia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 154.6 per 100,000; 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 169.5).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in the District of Columbia?
Cancer caused 934 deaths in the District of Columbia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 132.2 per 100,000; 13th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 148.0).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in the District of Columbia?
44 people in the District of Columbia died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 5.7 per 100,000; the lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.2 (44 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in the District of Columbia?
Firearms were involved in 148 deaths in the District of Columbia in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 19.7 per 100,000, 10th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 18.3).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in the District of Columbia have no health insurance?
4.5% of people in the District of Columbia, about 31,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 1.8 percentage points on 2023 (2.7%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in the District of Columbia are uninsured?
2.7% of children under 19 in the District of Columbia were uninsured in 2024, against 5.7% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in the District of Columbia are on Medicaid?
19.1% of residents of the District of Columbia were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 52.0% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people are on Medicaid in the District of Columbia?
237,170 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in the District of Columbia in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 8.8% on June 2025 (260,002); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow much has Medicaid enrollment in the District of Columbia changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, the District of Columbia had 296,412 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 20.0% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in the District of Columbia?
Children made up 92,351 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in the District of Columbia in June 2026 (39%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 144,819. The District of Columbia has expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in the District of Columbia?
25.5% of adults in the District of Columbia had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 2nd lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 22.1%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people smoke in the District of Columbia?
8.5% of adults in the District of Columbia smoked cigarettes in 2024 (6th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 16.0% in 2015. 4.8% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in the District of Columbia?
8.4% of adults in the District of Columbia had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 12.7% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 2nd lowest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people in the District of Columbia cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 13.9% of adults in the District of Columbia said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 8.7% 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 copyHow common is depression in the District of Columbia?
25.3% of adults in the District of Columbia reported binge drinking in 2024, and 22.4% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow District of Columbia compares with other federal districts
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
District of Columbia ranks 32 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Wyoming | 76.8 years |
| 30 | Arizona | 76.7 years |
| 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 |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
District of Columbia ranks 30 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 27 | Iowa | 18.7 years |
| 28 | New Mexico | 18.7 years |
| 29 | Maine | 18.7 years |
| 30 | District of Columbia | 18.7 years |
| 31 | Alaska | 18.6 years |
| 32 | Virginia | 18.5 years |
| 33 | Wyoming | 18.5 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 20 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Indiana | 6.33 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 6.24 |
| 19 | Montana | 6.18 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 6.04 |
| 21 | Virginia | 5.95 |
| 22 | North Dakota | 5.92 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 5.91 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 3 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia | 48.9 |
| 2 | Alaska | 45.1 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | 43.2 |
| 4 | Washington | 37.6 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 37.1 |
| 6 | Nevada | 35.9 |
| 7 | Tennessee | 35.2 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
District of Columbia ranks 39 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Arkansas | 374 |
| 37 | Iowa | 362 |
| 38 | Maine | 354 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | 318 |
| 40 | Hawaii | 295 |
| 41 | Alaska | 292 |
| 42 | Idaho | 265 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 29 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Wyoming | 156.2 |
| 27 | North Carolina | 155.5 |
| 28 | New Mexico | 155.5 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | 154.6 |
| 30 | Illinois | 153.2 |
| 31 | Nebraska | 152.7 |
| 32 | Virginia | 151.7 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 39 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 36 | Minnesota | 135.6 |
| 37 | Idaho | 135.2 |
| 38 | Florida | 132.7 |
| 39 | District of Columbia | 132.2 |
| 40 | North Dakota | 130.8 |
| 41 | Rhode Island | 129.9 |
| 42 | Arizona | 127.3 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 51 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Maryland | 9.7 |
| 46 | California | 9.6 |
| 47 | Rhode Island | 8.9 |
| 48 | Massachusetts | 8.3 |
| 49 | New York | 8.1 |
| 50 | New Jersey | 6.7 |
| 51 | District of Columbia | 5.7 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 10 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Arkansas | 20.6 |
| 8 | Montana | 20.2 |
| 9 | Tennessee | 19.8 |
| 10 | District of Columbia | 19.7 |
| 11 | Missouri | 19.6 |
| 12 | South Carolina | 19.5 |
| 13 | Oklahoma | 19.1 |
People without health insurance (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 48 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | New York | 5.0% |
| 46 | Rhode Island | 4.6% |
| 47 | New Hampshire | 4.5% |
| 48 | District of Columbia | 4.5% |
| 49 | Vermont | 4.2% |
| 50 | Hawaii | 3.5% |
| 51 | Massachusetts | 2.8% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 47 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | West Virginia | 2.8% |
| 45 | New York | 2.7% |
| 46 | Oregon | 2.7% |
| 47 | District of Columbia | 2.7% |
| 48 | Connecticut | 2.6% |
| 49 | Vermont | 2.6% |
| 50 | New Hampshire | 2.3% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
District of Columbia ranks 43 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | Utah | 321,779 |
| 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 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
District of Columbia ranks 15 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Maryland | -18.9% |
| 13 | Minnesota | -19.5% |
| 14 | Virginia | -19.8% |
| 15 | District of Columbia | -20.0% |
| 16 | Nevada | -20.6% |
| 17 | Pennsylvania | -20.8% |
| 18 | Iowa | -21.8% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 49 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | California | 29.1% |
| 45 | Vermont | 29.0% |
| 46 | New Jersey | 27.7% |
| 47 | Massachusetts | 27.0% |
| 48 | Hawaii | 27.0% |
| 49 | District of Columbia | 25.5% |
| 50 | Colorado | 25.0% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 45 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 42 | Connecticut | 9.0% |
| 43 | Massachusetts | 8.8% |
| 44 | New Jersey | 8.6% |
| 45 | District of Columbia | 8.5% |
| 46 | Hawaii | 8.1% |
| 47 | Washington | 7.9% |
| 48 | Maryland | 7.8% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
District of Columbia ranks 49 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Alaska | 9.4% |
| 45 | Idaho | 9.3% |
| 46 | Vermont | 8.9% |
| 47 | Montana | 8.7% |
| 48 | Utah | 8.7% |
| 49 | District of Columbia | 8.4% |
| 50 | Colorado | 8.4% |
More on District of Columbia: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · 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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