Mortality in Virginia

• Virginia Population: 8,535,519 (12^th highest)
• Population Density: 115.78 per square mile (21^st most dense)
• Median Age:  38.7 (23^rd youngest)
• Deaths Per Year:  69,359
• Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 814.3
• Life Expectancy at Birth:  79
• Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44):  57.8 (20th lowest rate)

Leading Causes of Death in Virginia

Population Statistics

Virginia has the 12^th highest population among U.S. states and—between 2010 and 2019—grew at a rate about 5% faster than the rate of population growth nationally. Virginia’s fertility rate is 20^th lowest in the nation (tied with North Carolina).

With a median age of 38.7 years, Virginia is tied with Wyoming for 23^rd youngest state—though still a little older than the overall national median age.

Adjusted for age, Virginia’s mortality rate is 17^th lowest in the U.S. and nearly identical to nearby Washington, D.C. Virginia’s average life expectancy of 79.1 years ties Idaho for 19^th

Health Conditions

Virginia’s mortality rates for most major health-related causes of death are close to or a little below the overall national rates. The exception is kidney disease, in which Virginia’s rate is 9^th.  For these reasons and more, we here at IBUSA will typically try to help applicants from Virginia first qualify  for term life insurance with no exam.

For those that won’t be able to qualify for such a policy, getting life insurance with a top company requiring a medical exam is still a viable option.

Finally, some people with pre-existing conditions may need to consider final expense insurance as an alternative.

Accidental Death

Virginia has the nation’s 10^th lowest rate of deaths due to preventable accidents. Virginia’s rates of death due to vehicle accidents, falls, and accidental poisoning are all below the rate for the U.S. as a whole—though Virginia is slightly higher for choking deaths.  Thsi among other reasons is why 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.

Homicide, Suicide and Firearms

Virginia has the nation’s 11^th and 24^th lowest rates of suicide and homicide, respectively. For all firearm-related deaths, Virginia ties Pennsylvania for 18^th lowest, with 11.7 deaths per 100,000 population.

Covid

For 2020, Virginia had a COVID-19 death rate of 57.1 per 100,000—tied with West Virginia for 10^th lowest in the nation. Through August, 2021, Virginia’s rate rose to 136 COVID deaths per 100,000, which is 13^th

Motor Vehicle 

ate of 10.5 vehicle deaths per 100,000, Virginia is the Southeast’s safest state for motorists.

Anomaly

Virginia is the 4^th best rated state in the U.S. for air and water quality.

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).

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).

United Health Foundation, America’s Health Rankings, 2020 Annual Report: Virginia