Health in Vermont, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Vermont was 78.3 years in 2022, 15th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

78.3 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

5.57

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

33.6

2024

Suicides per 100,000

14.7

2024

People without health insurance

4.2%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

145,492

June 2026

Adults with obesity

29.0%

2024

How long do men and women live in Vermont?

Women in Vermont could expect to live 80.8 years and men 75.8 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.0 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).

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

Is life expectancy in Vermont going up?

Life expectancy in Vermont was 78.4 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is down 0.1 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 Vermont?

A 65-year-old in Vermont could expect to live another 19.5 years in 2022 (20.9 for women, 18.1 for men); 9th 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 Vermont?

28 babies died before their first birthday in Vermont in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.57 per 1,000 live births; 22nd lowest among the 50 states and DC. NCHS did not publish a rate for 2019, when 15 infant deaths were recorded, because the number was too small to be reliable.

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

How many people die of drug overdoses in Vermont?

208 people died of drug overdoses in Vermont in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 33.6 per 100,000 people; 9th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 42.3 in 2023 (259 deaths) and 23.8 in 2019.

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

Are overdose deaths falling in Vermont?

CDC provisional data count about 155 drug overdose deaths in Vermont in the 12 months to May 2026, down 14.8% on the 12 months to May 2025 (182); 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 Vermont involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 103 of the 155 reported overdose deaths in Vermont in the 12 months to May 2026 (66%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 18 (12%). 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 Vermont?

Heart disease killed 1,533 people in Vermont in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 157.6 per 100,000; 24th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 151.6).

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

What is the cancer death rate in Vermont?

Cancer caused 1,476 deaths in Vermont in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 144.1 per 100,000; 23rd highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 150.4).

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

What is the suicide rate in Vermont?

105 people in Vermont died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.7 per 100,000; 22nd lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 16.0 (110 deaths).

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

How many gun deaths are there in Vermont?

Firearms were involved in 76 deaths in Vermont in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 10.6 per 100,000, 10th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 9.3).

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

How many people in Vermont have no health insurance?

4.2% of people in Vermont, about 27,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 3rd lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.8 percentage points on 2023 (3.4%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Vermont are uninsured?

2.6% of children under 19 in Vermont were uninsured in 2024, against 6.3% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Vermont are on Medicaid?

13.7% of residents of Vermont were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 45.6% 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 Vermont?

145,492 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Vermont in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 6.3% on June 2025 (155,323); 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 Vermont changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Vermont had 193,976 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 25.0% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Vermont?

Children made up 56,230 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Vermont in June 2026 (39%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 89,262. Vermont 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 Vermont?

29.0% of adults in Vermont had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 6th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 25.1%; 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 Vermont?

10.5% of adults in Vermont smoked cigarettes in 2024 (20th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 16.0% in 2015. 5.9% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Vermont?

8.9% of adults in Vermont had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 13.5% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 5th lowest 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 Vermont cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 16.0% of adults in Vermont said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 7.9% 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 copy

How common is depression in Vermont?

16.6% of adults in Vermont reported binge drinking in 2024, and 26.4% 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 Vermont compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Vermont ranks 15 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
12	Washington	78.4 years
13	Idaho	78.4 years
14	Nebraska	78.3 years
15	Vermont	78.3 years
16	Wisconsin	78.1 years
17	Florida	77.9 years
18	Iowa	77.9 years

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

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Vermont ranks 9 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
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
12	Rhode Island	19.4 years

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

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Vermont ranks 30 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
27	Illinois	5.73
28	Texas	5.70
29	Pennsylvania	5.68
30	Vermont	5.57
31	Maryland	5.53
32	Arizona	5.40
33	Nevada	5.34

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

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

Vermont ranks 9 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
6	Nevada	35.9
7	Tennessee	35.2
8	Maine	35.2
9	Vermont	33.6
10	Louisiana	33.5
11	Kentucky	33.5
12	Oregon	33.5

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

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

Vermont ranks 48 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

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

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

Vermont ranks 24 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
21	Kansas	160.9
22	Utah	160.5
23	Wisconsin	160.1
24	Vermont	157.6
25	Maine	156.4
26	Wyoming	156.2
27	North Carolina	155.5

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

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

Vermont ranks 23 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
20	Pennsylvania	145.7
21	South Dakota	145.5
22	Georgia	144.7
23	Vermont	144.1
24	Wisconsin	143.9
25	Nebraska	143.9
26	Oregon	142.3

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

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

Vermont ranks 30 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
27	Mississippi	15.1
28	Nebraska	14.9
29	Wisconsin	14.8
30	Vermont	14.7
31	Washington	14.5
32	Georgia	14.3
33	Texas	14.2

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

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

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

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
39	Maryland	11.6
40	Washington	11.0
41	Nebraska	10.9
42	Vermont	10.6
43	New Hampshire	10.2
44	Minnesota	9.8
45	California	7.0

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

People without health insurance (2024)

Vermont ranks 49 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%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Vermont ranks 49 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
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%
51	Massachusetts	2.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Vermont ranks 48 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

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Vermont ranks 33 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
30	Ohio	-24.1%
31	New Mexico	-24.4%
32	Massachusetts	-24.6%
33	Vermont	-25.0%
34	Oklahoma	-25.2%
35	Mississippi	-25.8%
36	West Virginia	-26.6%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Vermont ranks 45 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
42	Florida	29.6%
43	New York	29.5%
44	California	29.1%
45	Vermont	29.0%
46	New Jersey	27.7%
47	Massachusetts	27.0%
48	Hawaii	27.0%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Vermont ranks 31 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
28	Virginia	11.1%
29	Florida	10.6%
30	Oregon	10.6%
31	Vermont	10.5%
32	Illinois	10.5%
33	Minnesota	10.2%
34	Arizona	10.2%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Vermont ranks 46 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
43	Massachusetts	9.6%
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%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

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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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