Health in Washington, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in Washington was 78.4 years in 2022, 13th 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 Washington?
Women in Washington could expect to live 80.9 years and men 76.1 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 4.8 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in Washington going up?
Life expectancy in Washington was 78.2 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 0.2 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 Washington?
A 65-year-old in Washington could expect to live another 19.1 years in 2022 (20.3 for women, 17.9 for men); 15th 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 Washington?
398 babies died before their first birthday in Washington in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 4.79 per 1,000 live births; 15th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 4.26 (362 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in Washington?
3,145 people died of drug overdoses in Washington in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 37.6 per 100,000 people; 4th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 42.4 in 2023 (3,477 deaths) and 15.8 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in Washington?
CDC provisional data count about 2,528 drug overdose deaths in Washington in the 12 months to May 2026, down 20.7% on the 12 months to May 2025 (3,186); 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 Washington involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 1,701 of the 2,512 reported overdose deaths in Washington in the 12 months to May 2026 (68%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 1,424 (57%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Washington?
Heart disease killed 12,646 people in Washington in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 133.2 per 100,000; 9th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 134.8).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in Washington?
Cancer caused 13,828 deaths in Washington in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 139.7 per 100,000; joint 24th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 143.4).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Washington?
1,221 people in Washington died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.5 per 100,000; 21st lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 15.9 (1,263 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in Washington?
Firearms were involved in 915 deaths in Washington in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 11.0 per 100,000, 12th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 10.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in Washington have no health insurance?
6.5% of people in Washington, about 512,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is up 0.2 percentage points on 2023 (6.3%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in Washington are uninsured?
3.9% of children under 19 in Washington were uninsured in 2024, against 9.2% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in Washington are on Medicaid?
13.7% of residents of Washington were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 49.2% 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 Washington?
1,781,187 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in Washington in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 0.9% on June 2025 (1,798,235); 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 Washington changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, Washington had 2,192,395 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has fallen 18.8% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in Washington?
Children made up 811,084 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in Washington in June 2026 (46%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 970,103. Washington 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 Washington?
31.5% of adults in Washington had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 14th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 26.4%; 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 Washington?
7.9% of adults in Washington smoked cigarettes in 2024 (4th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 15.0% in 2015. 7.6% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in Washington?
10.0% of adults in Washington had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 17.2% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 9th 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 Washington cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 17.4% of adults in Washington said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 10.5% 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 Washington?
14.6% of adults in Washington reported binge drinking in 2024, and 24.6% 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 Washington compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
Washington ranks 12 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Utah | 79.0 years |
| 10 | New Hampshire | 78.7 years |
| 11 | Colorado | 78.5 years |
| 12 | Washington | 78.4 years |
| 13 | Idaho | 78.4 years |
| 14 | Nebraska | 78.3 years |
| 15 | Vermont | 78.3 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
Washington ranks 14 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 17 | Montana | 19.1 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Washington ranks 37 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Utah | 5.16 |
| 35 | New Mexico | 5.16 |
| 36 | Oregon | 4.93 |
| 37 | Washington | 4.79 |
| 38 | Idaho | 4.73 |
| 39 | Minnesota | 4.60 |
| 40 | Wyoming | 4.60 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Washington ranks 4 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)
Washington ranks 7 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | New York | 3,652 |
| 5 | Arizona | 2,822 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 2,620 |
| 7 | Washington | 2,528 |
| 8 | Ohio | 2,319 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 2,139 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 1,967 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Washington ranks 43 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 40 | New Jersey | 141.8 |
| 41 | New Hampshire | 140.2 |
| 42 | Florida | 134.5 |
| 43 | Washington | 133.2 |
| 44 | Oregon | 132.7 |
| 45 | Hawaii | 130.6 |
| 46 | California | 130.4 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Washington ranks 29 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 26 | Oregon | 142.3 |
| 27 | Illinois | 140.9 |
| 28 | Virginia | 139.7 |
| 29 | Washington | 139.7 |
| 30 | Montana | 139.3 |
| 31 | Nevada | 138.6 |
| 32 | Texas | 137.5 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Washington ranks 31 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Nebraska | 14.9 |
| 29 | Wisconsin | 14.8 |
| 30 | Vermont | 14.7 |
| 31 | Washington | 14.5 |
| 32 | Georgia | 14.3 |
| 33 | Texas | 14.2 |
| 34 | North Carolina | 14.1 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
Washington ranks 40 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 37 | Iowa | 11.8 |
| 38 | Delaware | 11.8 |
| 39 | Maryland | 11.6 |
| 40 | Washington | 11.0 |
| 41 | Nebraska | 10.9 |
| 42 | Vermont | 10.6 |
| 43 | New Hampshire | 10.2 |
People without health insurance (2024)
Washington ranks 32 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 29 | Delaware | 6.9% |
| 30 | Kentucky | 6.8% |
| 31 | Ohio | 6.7% |
| 32 | Washington | 6.5% |
| 33 | Maryland | 6.3% |
| 34 | North Dakota | 6.1% |
| 35 | California | 5.9% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
Washington ranks 36 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Alabama | 4.3% |
| 34 | Wisconsin | 4.2% |
| 35 | Louisiana | 4.1% |
| 36 | Washington | 3.9% |
| 37 | Iowa | 3.8% |
| 38 | Minnesota | 3.7% |
| 39 | Rhode Island | 3.7% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
Washington ranks 11 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Ohio | 2,597,852 |
| 9 | Michigan | 2,130,181 |
| 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 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
Washington ranks 11 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Nebraska | -16.8% |
| 9 | Missouri | -17.4% |
| 10 | California | -18.4% |
| 11 | Washington | -18.8% |
| 12 | Maryland | -18.9% |
| 13 | Minnesota | -19.5% |
| 14 | Virginia | -19.8% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
Washington ranks 37 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Minnesota | 32.3% |
| 35 | Virginia | 32.3% |
| 36 | Connecticut | 32.0% |
| 37 | Washington | 31.5% |
| 38 | Rhode Island | 31.1% |
| 39 | New Hampshire | 31.1% |
| 40 | Utah | 31.0% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
Washington ranks 47 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | New Jersey | 8.6% |
| 45 | District of Columbia | 8.5% |
| 46 | Hawaii | 8.1% |
| 47 | Washington | 7.9% |
| 48 | Maryland | 7.8% |
| 49 | California | 7.6% |
| 50 | Utah | 5.7% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
Washington ranks 42 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 39 | New Hampshire | 10.1% |
| 40 | Wyoming | 10.1% |
| 41 | Minnesota | 10.1% |
| 42 | Washington | 10.0% |
| 43 | Massachusetts | 9.6% |
| 44 | Alaska | 9.4% |
| 45 | Idaho | 9.3% |
More on Washington: 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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