Mortality in Delaware
- Delaware Population: 973,764 (6th lowest)
- Population Density: 506.32 per square mile (5th most dense)
- Median Age: 41.4 (6th oldest)
- Deaths Per Year: 9,433
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 975.3
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 77.8
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 58.7 (25th highest rate)
Leading Causes of Death in Delaware
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Cancer
|
2,074 | 151.9 | 21st |
| Heart Disease
|
2,053 | 154.3 | 30th |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
728 | 73.9 | 3rd |
| Stroke
|
594 | 45.1 | 3rd |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
474 | 35.2 | 34th |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
339 | 25.9 | 36th |
| Diabetes
|
267 | 20.5 | 29th |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
210 | 15.7 | 14th |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
132 | 10.5 | 40th |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
118 | 9.3 | 40th |
| Septicemia
|
107 | 8.1 | 30th |
| Suicide
|
111 | 11.3 | 43rd |
| Drug Overdose
|
435 | 48 | 2nd |
| Homicide
|
53 | 6.1 | 20th |
Population Statistics
Delaware has the 6th smallest population but is the 5th most densely populated state (behind New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maryland). Delaware’s 41.4 median age makes it the nation’s 6th oldest state.
At 975.3 deaths per 100,000 population, Delaware’s overall mortality rate is 15th highest among U.S. states. Adjusted for age, Delaware’s mortality rate is closer to the middle, though still above the overall national rate. Delaware’s life expectancy of 77.8 years is 17th lowest in the nation.
Health Conditions
Delaware’s mortality rates for most major health-related causes of death are close to the overall national rates. The exceptions are stroke and kidney disease—in which Delaware ranks 3rd and 14th highest—and liver disease, in which Delaware is 11th
For these reasons and more, we here at IBUSA will typically try to help applicants from Delaware first qualify for a no medical exam term life insurance when possible, and for those that won’t be able to qualify for such a policy, fully underwritten life insurance policies and guaranteed issue life insurance policies may still be an option.
Homicide, Suicide and Firearms
At 11.3 per 100,000, Delaware’s suicide rate is the nation’s 8th Delaware’s homicide rate ties Pennsylvania for 19th highest, and Delaware is 11th lowest in all firearm-related mortality.
Accidental Death
Delaware has the nation’s 3rd highest rate of accidental deaths. Over half of Delaware’s accidental deaths resulted from poisoning. Delaware has the nation’s 2nd highest rate of drug-overdose deaths (behind only West Virginia).
This is why well often recommend that our clients at least consider purchasing an additional accidental death policy as a way to supplement any traditional life insurance coverage they may already have especially if an individaul isn’t able to qualify for a traditonal life insurance policy.
Covid
In 2020, Delaware had 74.2 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 population, which was 19th lowest among the states. Through August, 2021, Delaware’s COVID death rate increased to 189 per 100,000—slightly above the national rate of 187 and 24th
Driving
With 13.7 vehicle-related deaths per 100,000 population in 2019, Delaware was the most dangerous state for drivers in the Northeast.
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, State & Territorial Data (2018 – 2019).
Kaiser Family Foundation, Number of Deaths per 100,000 Population (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).
United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings, 2020 Annual Report: Delaware.
Natl. Safety Council, State Overview Table: 2019 (preventable-injury-related death rates per 100,000 population by state of residence, United States, 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 (Aug. 12, 2021).
Natl. Safety Council, Motor-Vehicle Deaths by State (2019).
