Health in North Dakota, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in North Dakota was 77.9 years in 2022, 17th longest 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 North Dakota?
Women in North Dakota could expect to live 80.8 years and men 75.4 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.4 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in North Dakota going up?
Life expectancy in North Dakota was 77.6 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.3 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 North Dakota?
A 65-year-old in North Dakota could expect to live another 19.5 years in 2022 (20.9 for women, 18.1 for men); 8th 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 North Dakota?
57 babies died before their first birthday in North Dakota in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.92 per 1,000 live births; 22nd highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 7.46 (78 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in North Dakota?
108 people died of drug overdoses in North Dakota in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.8 per 100,000 people; 5th lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 16.4 in 2023 (122 deaths) and 11.4 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in North Dakota?
CDC provisional data count about 110 drug overdose deaths in North Dakota in the 12 months to May 2026, down 6.8% on the 12 months to May 2025 (118); 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 North Dakota involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 44 of the 110 reported overdose deaths in North Dakota in the 12 months to May 2026 (40%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 34 (31%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in North Dakota?
Heart disease killed 1,638 people in North Dakota in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 161.1 per 100,000; 20th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 147.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in North Dakota?
Cancer caused 1,312 deaths in North Dakota in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 130.8 per 100,000; 12th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 140.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in North Dakota?
145 people in North Dakota died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 19.2 per 100,000; joint 12th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 18.1 (136 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in North Dakota?
Firearms were involved in 95 deaths in North Dakota in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 12.2 per 100,000, 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 12.4).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in North Dakota have no health insurance?
6.1% of people in North Dakota, about 47,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 18th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 1.6 percentage points on 2023 (4.5%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in North Dakota are uninsured?
6.7% of children under 19 in North Dakota were uninsured in 2024, against 7.4% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in North Dakota are on Medicaid?
7.6% of residents of North Dakota were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 51.2% 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 North Dakota?
104,194 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in North Dakota in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 2.9% on June 2025 (107,267); 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 North Dakota changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, North Dakota had 134,458 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 22.5% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in North Dakota?
Children made up 50,753 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in North Dakota in June 2026 (49%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 53,441. North Dakota 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 North Dakota?
36.8% of adults in North Dakota had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 13th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 31.0%; 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 North Dakota?
12.3% of adults in North Dakota smoked cigarettes in 2024 (19th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 18.7% in 2015. 7.6% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in North Dakota?
10.6% of adults in North Dakota had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 15.2% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 14th 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 North Dakota cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 21.7% of adults in North Dakota said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 8.2% 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 North Dakota?
19.4% of adults in North Dakota reported binge drinking in 2024, and 21.6% 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 North Dakota compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
North Dakota ranks 19 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Wisconsin | 78.1 years |
| 17 | Florida | 77.9 years |
| 18 | Iowa | 77.9 years |
| 19 | North Dakota | 77.9 years |
| 20 | Maryland | 77.8 years |
| 21 | Oregon | 77.7 years |
| 22 | Illinois | 77.5 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
North Dakota ranks 8 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Massachusetts | 19.7 years |
| 6 | New Jersey | 19.6 years |
| 7 | Minnesota | 19.6 years |
| 8 | North Dakota | 19.5 years |
| 9 | Vermont | 19.5 years |
| 10 | Florida | 19.4 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 19.4 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
North Dakota ranks 22 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Montana | 6.18 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 6.04 |
| 21 | Virginia | 5.95 |
| 22 | North Dakota | 5.92 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 5.91 |
| 24 | Kentucky | 5.88 |
| 25 | Kansas | 5.86 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Dakota ranks 47 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | Idaho | 17.3 |
| 45 | Texas | 15.8 |
| 46 | Montana | 15.3 |
| 47 | North Dakota | 14.8 |
| 48 | Arkansas | 13.9 |
| 49 | Iowa | 13.7 |
| 50 | South Dakota | 11.9 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
North Dakota ranks 49 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Rhode Island | 186 |
| 46 | Nebraska | 167 |
| 47 | Montana | 165 |
| 48 | Vermont | 155 |
| 49 | North Dakota | 110 |
| 50 | Wyoming | 88 |
| 51 | South Dakota | 82 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Dakota ranks 20 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Montana | 164.8 |
| 18 | Texas | 163.1 |
| 19 | Pennsylvania | 162.4 |
| 20 | North Dakota | 161.1 |
| 21 | Kansas | 160.9 |
| 22 | Utah | 160.5 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | 160.1 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Dakota ranks 40 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 43 | Massachusetts | 127.0 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Dakota ranks 13 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Nevada | 19.6 |
| 11 | Utah | 19.5 |
| 12 | Maine | 19.2 |
| 13 | North Dakota | 19.2 |
| 14 | Arkansas | 19.0 |
| 15 | Arizona | 18.9 |
| 16 | Kentucky | 17.9 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Dakota ranks 32 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Virginia | 12.8 |
| 30 | Florida | 12.7 |
| 31 | Illinois | 12.4 |
| 32 | North Dakota | 12.2 |
| 33 | Wisconsin | 12.1 |
| 34 | Pennsylvania | 11.9 |
| 35 | Michigan | 11.9 |
People without health insurance (2024)
North Dakota ranks 34 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Ohio | 6.7% |
| 32 | Washington | 6.5% |
| 33 | Maryland | 6.3% |
| 34 | North Dakota | 6.1% |
| 35 | California | 5.9% |
| 36 | Pennsylvania | 5.8% |
| 37 | Connecticut | 5.8% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
North Dakota ranks 14 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Arkansas | 7.7% |
| 12 | Montana | 7.7% |
| 13 | Kansas | 7.0% |
| 14 | North Dakota | 6.7% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6.6% |
| 16 | Utah | 6.6% |
| 17 | Tennessee | 6.5% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
North Dakota ranks 50 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 45 | Alaska | 206,739 |
| 46 | Montana | 205,414 |
| 47 | New Hampshire | 167,648 |
| 48 | Vermont | 145,492 |
| 49 | South Dakota | 138,321 |
| 50 | North Dakota | 104,194 |
| 51 | Wyoming | 59,335 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
North Dakota ranks 20 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Pennsylvania | -20.8% |
| 18 | Iowa | -21.8% |
| 19 | Alabama | -22.2% |
| 20 | North Dakota | -22.5% |
| 21 | Alaska | -22.7% |
| 22 | Kentucky | -22.9% |
| 23 | Kansas | -22.9% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
North Dakota ranks 13 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Kentucky | 37.2% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 37.0% |
| 12 | Ohio | 36.9% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 36.8% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 36.8% |
| 15 | Iowa | 36.6% |
| 16 | Delaware | 36.6% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
North Dakota ranks 19 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Iowa | 12.9% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 12.7% |
| 18 | South Carolina | 12.6% |
| 19 | North Dakota | 12.3% |
| 20 | Montana | 12.2% |
| 21 | Nebraska | 12.2% |
| 22 | New Mexico | 12.0% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
North Dakota ranks 37 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Iowa | 11.4% |
| 35 | Missouri | 11.2% |
| 36 | New Jersey | 10.8% |
| 37 | North Dakota | 10.6% |
| 38 | Nebraska | 10.5% |
| 39 | New Hampshire | 10.1% |
| 40 | Wyoming | 10.1% |
More on North Dakota: 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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