Health in Virginia, United States: official figures

Life expectancy at birth in Virginia was 77.5 years in 2022, 23rd longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.

Life expectancy at birth

77.5 years

2022

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births

5.95

2024

Drug overdose deaths per 100,000

17.6

2024

Suicides per 100,000

12.9

2024

People without health insurance

6.9%

2024

Medicaid and CHIP enrollment

1,635,168

June 2026

Adults with obesity

32.3%

2024

How long do men and women live in Virginia?

Women in Virginia could expect to live 79.9 years and men 75.0 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 4.9 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).

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

Is life expectancy in Virginia going up?

Life expectancy in Virginia was 76.8 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 copy

How long do people live after 65 in Virginia?

A 65-year-old in Virginia could expect to live another 18.5 years in 2022 (19.7 for women, 17.2 for men); 20th shortest 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 Virginia?

560 babies died before their first birthday in Virginia in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 5.95 per 1,000 live births; 21st highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 5.81 (566 deaths).

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

How many people die of drug overdoses in Virginia?

1,552 people died of drug overdoses in Virginia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 17.6 per 100,000 people; 10th lowest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 28.5 in 2023 (2,480 deaths) and 18.3 in 2019.

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

Are overdose deaths falling in Virginia?

CDC provisional data count about 1,212 drug overdose deaths in Virginia in the 12 months to May 2026, down 9.5% on the 12 months to May 2025 (1,339); 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 Virginia involve fentanyl?

Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 669 of the 1,212 reported overdose deaths in Virginia in the 12 months to May 2026 (55%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 282 (23%). 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 Virginia?

Heart disease killed 16,631 people in Virginia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 151.7 per 100,000; 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 149.1).

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

What is the cancer death rate in Virginia?

Cancer caused 15,842 deaths in Virginia in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 139.7 per 100,000; joint 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 144.9).

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

What is the suicide rate in Virginia?

1,196 people in Virginia died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 12.9 per 100,000; 11th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 12.8 (1,140 deaths).

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

How many gun deaths are there in Virginia?

Firearms were involved in 1,153 deaths in Virginia in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 12.8 per 100,000, 23rd lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 11.7).

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

How many people in Virginia have no health insurance?

6.9% of people in Virginia, about 596,000, had no health insurance in 2024; joint 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.5 percentage points on 2023 (6.4%), according to the American Community Survey.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many children in Virginia are uninsured?

5.2% of children under 19 in Virginia were uninsured in 2024, against 9.5% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

How many people in Virginia are on Medicaid?

11.4% of residents of Virginia were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 47.6% 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 Virginia?

1,635,168 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Virginia in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 5.9% on June 2025 (1,737,098); 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 Virginia changed since the pandemic?

In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Virginia had 2,037,888 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 19.8% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

How many children are on Medicaid in Virginia?

Children made up 780,309 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Virginia in June 2026 (48%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 854,859. Virginia 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 Virginia?

32.3% of adults in Virginia had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 16th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 29.2%; 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 Virginia?

11.1% of adults in Virginia smoked cigarettes in 2024 (23rd lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 16.5% in 2015. 7.2% used e-cigarettes.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

How many people have diabetes in Virginia?

12.9% of adults in Virginia had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 16.7% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 17th 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 Virginia cannot afford to see a doctor?

In 2024, 21.9% of adults in Virginia said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 9.6% 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 Virginia?

13.9% of adults in Virginia reported binge drinking in 2024, and 21.7% 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 Virginia compares with other states

Life expectancy at birth (2022)

Virginia ranks 23 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at birth
20	Maryland	77.8 years
21	Oregon	77.7 years
22	Illinois	77.5 years
23	Virginia	77.5 years
24	Pennsylvania	77.3 years
25	Montana	77.3 years
26	South Dakota	77.3 years

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

Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)

Virginia ranks 32 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65

Rank	Region	Life expectancy at age 65
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
34	Michigan	18.4 years
35	Texas	18.3 years

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

Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

Virginia ranks 21 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Infant deaths per 1,000 live births
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
24	Kentucky	5.88

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

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

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

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
39	Michigan	19.1
40	Mississippi	18.6
41	Georgia	18.1
42	Virginia	17.6
43	Minnesota	17.3
44	Idaho	17.3
45	Texas	15.8

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

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

Virginia ranks 20 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts

Rank	Region	Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional)
17	Massachusetts	1,308
18	Maryland	1,295
19	Indiana	1,226
20	Virginia	1,212
21	Missouri	1,205
22	South Carolina	1,198
23	Louisiana	1,160

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

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

Virginia ranks 32 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
29	District of Columbia	154.6
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

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

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

Virginia ranks 28 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
25	Nebraska	143.9
26	Oregon	142.3
27	Illinois	140.9
28	Virginia	139.7
29	Washington	139.7
30	Montana	139.3
31	Nevada	138.6

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

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

Virginia ranks 41 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

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

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

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

Virginia ranks 29 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States

Rank	Region	Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted)
26	Oregon	14.2
27	Texas	13.9
28	Utah	13.3
29	Virginia	12.8
30	Florida	12.7
31	Illinois	12.4
32	North Dakota	12.2

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

People without health insurance (2024)

Virginia ranks 28 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population

Rank	Region	People without health insurance
25	Indiana	7.5%
26	Nebraska	7.1%
27	Illinois	6.9%
28	Virginia	6.9%
29	Delaware	6.9%
30	Kentucky	6.8%
31	Ohio	6.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)

Virginia ranks 28 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey

Rank	Region	Children under 19 without health insurance
25	North Carolina	5.5%
26	Pennsylvania	5.4%
27	Nebraska	5.3%
28	Virginia	5.2%
29	Kentucky	5.0%
30	New Jersey	4.7%
31	Maryland	4.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copy

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

Virginia ranks 13 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)

Rank	Region	Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026
10	Georgia	1,817,766
11	Washington	1,781,187
12	New Jersey	1,725,496
13	Virginia	1,635,168
14	Arizona	1,611,827
15	Massachusetts	1,525,312
16	Maryland	1,385,888

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Virginia ranks 14 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
11	Washington	-18.8%
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%

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copy

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

Virginia ranks 35 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024

Rank	Region	Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more)
32	Maryland	32.7%
33	Wyoming	32.5%
34	Minnesota	32.3%
35	Virginia	32.3%
36	Connecticut	32.0%
37	Washington	31.5%
38	Rhode Island	31.1%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)

Virginia ranks 28 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults who currently smoke cigarettes
25	Pennsylvania	11.7%
26	North Carolina	11.5%
27	Georgia	11.2%
28	Virginia	11.1%
29	Florida	10.6%
30	Oregon	10.6%
31	Vermont	10.5%

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copy

Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)

Virginia ranks 17 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence

Rank	Region	Adults ever told they have diabetes
14	Oklahoma	13.2%
15	North Carolina	13.2%
16	Ohio	13.1%
17	Virginia	12.9%
18	Georgia	12.8%
19	Illinois	12.8%
20	California	12.6%

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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