Mortality Rates in California
- California Population: 39,512,223 (1st highest)
- Population Density: 252.4 per square mile (10th most dense)
- Median Age: 37.3 (11th youngest)
- Deaths Per Year: 268,818
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 679.6
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 80.8 years old
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 55.4 (9th lowest rate)
Leading Causes of Death in California
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Heart Disease
|
62,394 | 136.9 | 42nd |
| Cancer
|
59,512 | 131.6 | 46th |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
16,859 | 37 | 15th |
| Stroke
|
16,851 | 37.3 | 24th |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
15,116 | 35.9 | 49th |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
13,096 | 29 | 46th |
| Diabetes
|
9,854 | 21.8 | 24th |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
5,664 | 12.5 | 26th |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
5,575 | 12.5 | 20th |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
4,006 | 8.8 | 41st |
| Septicemia
|
1,643 | 3.6 | 49th |
| Suicide
|
4,436 | 10.7 | 46th |
| Drug Overdose
|
6,198 | 15 | 37th |
| Homicide
|
1,794 | 4.5 | 28th |
Population Statistics
California has the nation’s 9th lowest fertility rate, and the state’s 6.1% rate of population growth from 2010 to 2019 was slightly below the 6.3% national average.
At 679.6 per 100,000, California’s overall death rate is 4th lowest among U.S. states (behind Utah, Alaska, and Colorado).
California’s age-adjusted rate in 2019 was 2nd lowest (behind only Hawaii), and only Hawaii has a longer average life expectancy than California.
Health Conditions
California is among the states with the ten lowest rates of death due to heart disease, cancer, respiratory illnesses, and kidney disease. California’s rates of deaths due to stroke, Alzheimer’s, and liver disease are above the national average. For this reason, many residents of California will often be able to qualify for a no medical exam term life insurance policy.
Firearms and Homicide
California’s suicide rate is 5th lowest among U.S. states. California’s rate of deaths resulting from firearms is 7.2 per 100,000—7th lowest among U.S. states. California averages more homicides than any other state annually, but its per capita rate is moderately below the national average. For this reason some residents will often choose to purchase additional accidental death insurance in addition to a traditional term life insurance policy.
Covid
California’s rate of COVID-19 deaths in 2020 was 69.4 per 100,000 (15th lowest). The state’s overall rate through July, 2021, is 18th highest, at 161 per 100,000.
Smoking
Among all U.S. states, California has the 2nd lowest rate of cigarette use (behind Utah) and 4th lowest obesity rate (behind Colorado, Hawaii, and Massachusetts).
Sources:
U.S. Dept of Ag., Economic Research Service, https://data.ers.usda.gov/reports.aspx?ID=17827 (citing U.S. Census Bureau, 2019).
Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States Including District of Columbia in 2020 (2020).
StatsAmerica (Ind. Bus. Research Center), Median Age in 2019.
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Life Expectancy at Birth by State (2018).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Fertility Rates by State (2019).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Stats of the States (2021).
Kaiser Family Foundation, Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population (2019).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Provisional Death Rates for COVID-19 (2020).
New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (July 19, 2021).
CDC, State Tobacco Activities Tracking and Evaluation System, Map of Current Cigarette Use Among Adults (2018).
Statista, Percentage of Adults with Obesity in the United States as of 2019 (2019).
