Mortality Rates in North Dakota
- North Dakota Population: 762,062 (4th lowest)
- Population Density: 11.09 per square mile (46th most dense)
- Median Age: 35.4 years old (4th youngest)
- Deaths Per Year: 6,445
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 847.9
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 79.3
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 70.6 (1st highest rate (t))
Leading Causes of Death in North Dakota
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Heart Disease
|
1,448 | 147.7 | 35th |
| Cancer
|
1,316 | 140.7 | 37th |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
403 | 37.6 | 13th |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
371 | 45 | 37th |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
338 | 35 | 35th |
| Stroke
|
308 | 31.7 | 39th |
| Diabetes
|
183 | 20 | 34th |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
141 | 14.3 | 13th |
| Hypertension (high blood pressure)
|
127 | 12.1 | 3rd |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
116 | 15.2 | 6th |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
107 | 10.9 | 32nd |
| Suicide
|
136 | 18.1 | 17th |
| Drug Overdose
|
82 | 11.4 | 47th |
| Homicide
|
21 | 3.1 | 37th |
Population Statistics
Between 2010 and 2019, North Dakota’s population grew at a rate of 13.3%, 8th fastest among U.S. states. North Dakota is tied with South Dakota for the country’s highest fertility rate.
At 79.3 years, North Dakota’s average life expectancy at birth is tied with Vermont and Wisconsin for 13th
North Dakota’s infant mortality rate of 7.35 per 1,000 live births is 4th highest in the nation (behind Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama).
Health Conditions
North Dakota has the nation’s 3rd highest rate of death due to high blood pressure.
North Dakota has the country’s 6th highest rate of liver disease deaths and ranks 2nd highest in excessive drinking (behind only Wisconsin).
North Dakota’s rate of deaths due to drug overdose was the nation’s 4th lowest (behind Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas).
These among other reasons is why, we here at IBUSA will often recommend that our clients from North Dakota first apply for no physical exam life insurance (when healthy) vs a traditional term or whole life insurance policy, particularly if they have not received a “full physical” from their primary doctor within that last 12 months.
Life Style
At 19.1%, North Dakota has the 12th highest rate of adult smokers, and North Dakota’s adult obesity rate is tied with Missouri for 13th
Homicide
North Dakota’s homicide rate is 14th lowest among U.S. states. North Dakota had the nation’s second fewest total homicides with 21 (behind Vermont’s 11).
Covid
At 122.5 per 100,000 population, North Dakota had the country’s 5th highest COVID-19 death rate in 2020. Through August, 2021, North Dakota’s rate of 206 COVID deaths per 100,000 dropped to 15th among U.S. states.
Workplace
With 9.7 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2019, North Dakota is the 3rd most dangerous state in which to work (behind Alaska and Wyoming).
Anomalies
In 2019, North Dakota had a rate of 11.0 deaths due to poisoning per 100,000, which was the 4th lowest rate in the nation (behind Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa).
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).
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: North Dakota.
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).
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. 3, 2021).
Natl. Safety Council, State Overview Table: 2019 (preventable-injury-related death rates per 100,000 population by state of residence, United States, 2019).
Natl. Safety Council, Work Deaths by State (2019).
