Mortality Rates in Texas
- Texas Population: 28,995,881 (2nd highest)
- Population Density: 39.54 per square mile (38th most dense)
- Median Age: 35 (2nd youngest)
- Deaths Per Year: 202,111
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 704.5
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 78.4 (27th highest)
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 62.5 (15th highest rate)
Leading Causes of Death in Texas
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Heart Disease
|
46,139 | 163.4 | 20th |
| Cancer
|
41,489 | 141.4 | 35th |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
11,384 | 39.7 | 46th |
| Stroke
|
10,807 | 39 | 18th |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
10,797 | 38.6 | 27th |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
10,101 | 38.6 | 10th |
| Diabetes
|
6,889 | 23.6 | 16th |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
4,165 | 14.7 | 17th |
| Septicemia (blood-poisoning illnesses)
|
3,058 | 10.7 | 19th |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
4,359 | 14.3 | 11th |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
3,158 | 11.3 | 33rd |
| Suicide
|
3,891 | 13.4 | 38th |
| Drug Overdose
|
3,136 | 10.8 | 48th |
| Homicide
|
1,694 | 5.9 | 21st |
Population Statistics
The population of Texas grew at a rate of 15.3% between 2010 and 2019, making Texas the 2nd fastest growing state (behind only Utah). With a median age of 35, Texas is the nation’s 2nd youngest state (also behind Utah).
Texas has the 15th highest fertility rate, 9th highest teen birth rate, and 4th highest Cesarean delivery rate among U.S. states.
Drug and Addiction Statistics
With an age-adjusted rate of 10.8 per 100,000, Texas has the nation’s 3rd lowest rate of drug overdose deaths. At 14.3 per 100,000, Texas’ rate of liver disease deaths is 11th
Life insurance applicants with a histroy or drug abuse may be eligible for a traditional term life insurance policy once they have remained sober for a period of time however applicants new in sobriety will likely need to apply for a guaranteed issue life insurance policy or an accidental death policy if they would like to obtain some coverage immediately.
Firearms and Crime
Texas has the nation’s 5th lowest rate of accidental deaths and 25th lowest firearm death rate. The state’s homicide rate of 5.9 per 100,000 is consistent with the national average.
Covid
In 2020, Texas had 112.9 COVID-19 deaths per 100,000 population—8th highest among U.S. states. Through July, 2021, though, Texas’ rate of 182 is below the national average.
Lifestyle Risks
Texas has the nation’s 12th lowest rate of adult smokers and 20th highest rate of adult obesity.
Anomalies
Along with Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia, Texas ranks in the top four U.S. states in venomous snakebites per year. However, on average only one or two Texans die of snakebite annually—significantly lower than the state’s yearly fatalities from lightning strikes.
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, Fertility Rates by State (2019).
CDC, Natl. Center for Health Statistics, Stats of the States (2021).
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 1, 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).
Bauerlein, Valerie, Snakebites Hit Record Highs in Southern States as Suburbs Expand. Wall Street Journal (Aug. 5, 2019).
Texas Parks & Wildlife Dept., Snake Bite Statistics (citing Tex. Dept. of State Health Services).
