Health in South Dakota, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in South Dakota was 77.3 years in 2022, 25th 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 South Dakota?
Women in South Dakota could expect to live 79.5 years and men 75.2 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 4.3 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in South Dakota going up?
Life expectancy in South Dakota was 76.6 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.7 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 South Dakota?
A 65-year-old in South Dakota could expect to live another 19.4 years in 2022 (20.7 for women, 18.1 for men); 10th 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 South Dakota?
84 babies died before their first birthday in South Dakota in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 7.34 per 1,000 live births; 7th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.99 (80 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in South Dakota?
98 people died of drug overdoses in South Dakota in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 11.9 per 100,000 people; 2nd lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 11.2 in 2023 (95 deaths) and 10.5 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in South Dakota?
CDC provisional data count about 82 drug overdose deaths in South Dakota in the 12 months to May 2026, down 5.7% on the 12 months to May 2025 (87); 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 South Dakota involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 11 of the 82 reported overdose deaths in South Dakota in the 12 months to May 2026 (13%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 26 (32%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in South Dakota?
Heart disease killed 1,730 people in South Dakota in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 144.2 per 100,000; 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 158.1).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in South Dakota?
Cancer caused 1,773 deaths in South Dakota in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 145.5 per 100,000; 21st highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 153.4).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in South Dakota?
198 people in South Dakota died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 21.9 per 100,000; 5th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 20.9 (182 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in South Dakota?
Firearms were involved in 159 deaths in South Dakota in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 17.3 per 100,000, 16th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 13.1).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in South Dakota have no health insurance?
8.1% of people in South Dakota, about 73,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 20th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is down 0.2 percentage points on 2023 (8.3%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in South Dakota are uninsured?
8.0% of children under 19 in South Dakota were uninsured in 2024, against 10.6% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in South Dakota are on Medicaid?
8.8% of residents of South Dakota were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 46.9% 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 South Dakota?
138,321 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in South Dakota in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 1.0% on June 2025 (139,653); 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 South Dakota changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, South Dakota had 146,957 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 5.9% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in South Dakota?
Children made up 75,738 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in South Dakota in June 2026 (55%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 62,583. South 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 South Dakota?
37.0% of adults in South Dakota had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 11th highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 30.4%; 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 South Dakota?
13.5% of adults in South Dakota smoked cigarettes in 2024 (14th highest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 20.1% in 2015. 8.0% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in South Dakota?
11.8% of adults in South Dakota had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 17.9% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 23rd 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 South Dakota cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 21.4% of adults in South Dakota said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 8.9% 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 South Dakota?
18.0% of adults in South Dakota reported binge drinking in 2024, and 18.2% 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 South Dakota compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
South Dakota ranks 26 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Virginia | 77.5 years |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | 77.3 years |
| 25 | Montana | 77.3 years |
| 26 | South Dakota | 77.3 years |
| 27 | Texas | 77.1 years |
| 28 | Michigan | 76.8 years |
| 29 | Wyoming | 76.8 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
South Dakota ranks 13 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Florida | 19.4 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 19.4 years |
| 12 | Rhode Island | 19.4 years |
| 13 | South Dakota | 19.4 years |
| 14 | Washington | 19.1 years |
| 15 | Wisconsin | 19.1 years |
| 16 | New Hampshire | 19.1 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
South Dakota ranks 7 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Louisiana | 7.58 |
| 5 | South Carolina | 7.49 |
| 6 | Oklahoma | 7.42 |
| 7 | South Dakota | 7.34 |
| 8 | Alabama | 7.06 |
| 9 | Alaska | 6.82 |
| 10 | Ohio | 6.65 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Dakota ranks 50 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 51 | Nebraska | 8.1 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
South Dakota ranks 51 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)
South Dakota ranks 37 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Idaho | 146.6 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | 146.5 |
| 36 | New York | 145.7 |
| 37 | South Dakota | 144.2 |
| 38 | Maryland | 143.7 |
| 39 | Arizona | 141.9 |
| 40 | New Jersey | 141.8 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Dakota ranks 21 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Alaska | 149.1 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 148.8 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 145.7 |
| 21 | South Dakota | 145.5 |
| 22 | Georgia | 144.7 |
| 23 | Vermont | 144.1 |
| 24 | Wisconsin | 143.9 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Dakota ranks 5 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wyoming | 27.8 |
| 3 | Montana | 26.8 |
| 4 | New Mexico | 24.6 |
| 5 | South Dakota | 21.9 |
| 6 | Idaho | 21.2 |
| 7 | Oklahoma | 20.9 |
| 8 | Colorado | 20.8 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
South Dakota ranks 16 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Oklahoma | 19.1 |
| 14 | Kentucky | 18.5 |
| 15 | Georgia | 17.6 |
| 16 | South Dakota | 17.3 |
| 17 | Indiana | 17.2 |
| 18 | Nevada | 17.2 |
| 19 | Arizona | 16.9 |
People without health insurance (2024)
South Dakota ranks 20 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Kansas | 8.5% |
| 18 | Utah | 8.3% |
| 19 | Alabama | 8.2% |
| 20 | South Dakota | 8.1% |
| 21 | Colorado | 7.9% |
| 22 | New Jersey | 7.7% |
| 23 | Missouri | 7.7% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
South Dakota ranks 9 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Oklahoma | 8.5% |
| 7 | Idaho | 8.1% |
| 8 | Nevada | 8.0% |
| 9 | South Dakota | 8.0% |
| 10 | Georgia | 7.9% |
| 11 | Arkansas | 7.7% |
| 12 | Montana | 7.7% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
South Dakota ranks 49 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)
South Dakota ranks 2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | +15.3% |
| 2 | South Dakota | -5.9% |
| 3 | Oregon | -9.9% |
| 4 | Connecticut | -12.2% |
| 5 | Maine | -12.5% |
| 6 | New York | -15.1% |
| 7 | Hawaii | -15.8% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
South Dakota ranks 11 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Kansas | 37.6% |
| 9 | Wisconsin | 37.4% |
| 10 | Kentucky | 37.2% |
| 11 | South Dakota | 37.0% |
| 12 | Ohio | 36.9% |
| 13 | North Dakota | 36.8% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 36.8% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
South Dakota ranks 14 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Indiana | 13.9% |
| 12 | Mississippi | 13.8% |
| 13 | Kansas | 13.7% |
| 14 | South Dakota | 13.5% |
| 15 | Michigan | 13.4% |
| 16 | Iowa | 12.9% |
| 17 | Wyoming | 12.7% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
South Dakota ranks 28 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 25 | Oregon | 12.0% |
| 26 | Florida | 11.9% |
| 27 | Wisconsin | 11.9% |
| 28 | South Dakota | 11.8% |
| 29 | Connecticut | 11.7% |
| 30 | Rhode Island | 11.6% |
| 31 | Arizona | 11.5% |
More on South 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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