New Hampshire Mortality Rates
2025 Comprehensive Health Report
Population
Life Expectancy
Median Age
Annual Deaths
Leading Causes of Death
Comprehensive mortality data for New Hampshire showing causes of death and national rankings:
Cause of Death | Deaths/Year | Per 100,000 | National Rank |
---|---|---|---|
Cancer | 2,819 | 147.4 | 27th |
Heart Disease | 2,530 | 189.8 | 31st |
Accidents | 864 | 58.8 | 16th |
Respiratory Diseases | 741 | 39.2 | 26th |
Stroke | 526 | 28.5 | 46th (5th lowest) |
Alzheimer’s | 511 | 27.8 | 33rd |
Diabetes | 363 | 19.3 | 38th (13th lowest) |
Drug Overdose | 407 | 32 | 9th highest |
Suicide | 255 | 17.5 | 19th |
Kidney Disease | 211 | 11.2 | 31st |
Pneumonia + Flu | 194 | 10.3 | 41st |
Liver Disease | 193 | 11 | 30th |
Septicemia | 122 | 6.6 | 37th |
Homicide | 38 | 2.8 | 41st (10th lowest) |
Population & Demographics
📊 Age & Fertility Statistics
With a median age of 43.1 years, New Hampshire is the nation’s 2nd oldest state (behind only Maine). This aging population presents unique health challenges and opportunities for the state’s healthcare system.
New Hampshire also has the nation’s 2nd lowest fertility rate at 48.2 births per 1,000 women age 15-44 (behind only Vermont), indicating demographic challenges for future population growth.
At 79.1 years, New Hampshire’s life expectancy is tied with Nebraska’s for 17th highest in the nation, reflecting generally good health outcomes despite the aging population.
👶 Infant Mortality Achievement
New Hampshire’s infant mortality rate of 3.1 deaths per 1,000 live births is the nation’s 2nd lowest (behind only Vermont), representing one of the state’s most significant public health achievements.
Health Conditions & Rankings
🏥 Overall Health Performance
For most major health-related causes of death, New Hampshire’s mortality rates are close to the overall national rates. The exceptions include:
- Stroke: New Hampshire ranks 5th lowest nationally (28.5 per 100,000)
- Diabetes: New Hampshire ranks 13th lowest nationally (19.3 per 100,000)
For these reasons and more, we here at IBUSA will typically try to help applicants from New Hampshire first qualify for a no medical term life insurance when possible.
For those that won’t be able to qualify for such a policy, fully underwritten term life insurance policies and final expense insurance policies may still be an option.
Public Safety Statistics
✅ Homicide, Suicide and Firearms
At 2.8 per 100,000, New Hampshire’s homicide rate is the nation’s 10th lowest, demonstrating excellent public safety outcomes.
The state’s suicide rate of 17.5 per 100,000 ranks 19th nationally.
For all firearm-related fatalities, New Hampshire is tied with Washington for 14th lowest, with 10.7 firearm deaths per 100,000.
2.8 per 100,000 (10th lowest)
10.7 per 100,000 (14th lowest)
17.5 per 100,000 (19th)
COVID-19 Impact
🦠 Pandemic Response Success
Through August 2021, New Hampshire’s COVID-19 mortality rate was 103 deaths per 100,000 population—the 8th lowest rate in the country, demonstrating effective public health response measures.
Transportation & Workplace Safety
🚗 Motor Vehicle Safety Excellence
With 7.9 vehicle deaths per 100,000, New Hampshire ranks as the 6th safest state for motorists (behind Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut).
New Hampshire’s 1.2 occupational deaths per 100,000 workers is the nation’s 2nd lowest rate (behind only Connecticut), reflecting excellent workplace safety standards.
Areas of Concern
⚠️ Accidental Death Challenges
Despite its low rates of vehicle and occupational deaths, New Hampshire’s rate of accidental deaths is substantially above the national rate due to:
- Accidental poisoning: 28.6 per 100,000 (among top 10 states)
- Accidental falls: 18.5 per 100,000 (among top 10 states)
- Drug overdose deaths: 32 per 100,000 (9th highest nationally)
New Hampshire is among the ten states with the highest rates for both accidental poisoning and falls categories, and also ranks 9th highest for drug overdose deaths.
For these reasons alone we’ll 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.
Key Health Metrics Summary
Data Sources
CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, State & Territorial Data (2018-2019)
CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Stats of the States (2021)
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service (2019)
Statista, Population Density in the U.S. by Federal States (2020)
StatsAmerica (Indiana Business Research Center), Median Age in 2019
CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Life Expectancy at Birth by State (2018)
CDC, National Center for Health Statistics, Fertility Rates by State (2019)
New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (August 12, 2021)
National Safety Council, Motor-Vehicle Deaths by State (2019)
National Safety Council, Work Deaths by State (2019)
National Safety Council, State Overview Table: 2019
United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings, 2020 Annual Report: New Hampshire