Mortality Rates in Washington
- Washington Population: 7,614,893 (13th highest)
- Population Density: 74.25 per square mile (28th most dense)
- Median Age: 37 (14th youngest)
- Deaths Per Year: 56,877
- Annual Deaths Per 100,000: 754.8
- Life Expectancy at Birth: 80 (8th longest)
- Fertility Rate (births per 1,000 women age 15-44): 56 (10th lowest rate)
Leading Causes of Death in Washington
| Cause of Death | Deaths Per Year | Deaths Per 100,000 | National Rank |
| Cancer
|
12,960 | 143.4 | 33rd |
| Heart Disease
|
11,862 | 134.8 | 43rd |
| Accidents (includes vehicle accidents)
|
3,569 | 43.4 | 42nd |
| Alzheimer’s Disease
|
3,585 | 42.2 | 3rd |
| Stroke
|
3,032 | 35 | 27th |
| Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (e.g., emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma)
|
3,045 | 33.9 | 40th |
| Diabetes
|
1,842 | 20.5 | 26th |
| Liver Disease / Cirrhosis
|
1,089 | 12.3 | 21st |
| Pneumonia + Flu
|
877 | 10 | 44th |
| Septicemia
|
548 | 6.2 | 40th |
| Kidney Disease (nephritis, nephrosis, nephrotic syndrome)
|
390 | 4.5 | 49th |
| Suicide
|
1,263 | 15.9 | 27th |
| Drug Overdose
|
1,259 | 15.8 | 35th |
| Homicide
|
241 | 3.2 | 35th |
Population Statistics
Between 2010 and 2019, Washington State grew at the 9th highest rate among U.S. states, despite having the nation’s 10th lowest fertility rate.
With an annual average of 754.8 deaths per 100,000, Washington has the nation’s 6th lowest overall mortality rate (behind Utah, Alaska, Colorado, California, and Texas).
Washington’s infant mortality rate of 4.4 per 1,000 live births is the nation’s 5th Washington has the 4th and 3rd lowest rates of low birthweight and preterm births, respectively.
Washington is one of only eight states with a life expectancy at birth of at least 80 years.
Health Conditions
Alzheimer’s disease is the 3rd leading cause of death in Washington, and Washington’s age-adjusted rate is 3rd highest in the country. Washington is one of the ten lowest states in rates of mortality due to heart disease, pneumonia, and kidney disease.
Which means that many residents of Washington will likely be able to qualify for a no exam term life insurance policy given the relative health of this states population. As for those that won’t be able to qualify for such a policy, fully underwritten life insurance and guaranteed issue life insurance may still be an option.
Covid
Washington was one of the first states to experience COVID-19 but had the 7th lowest rate of COVID deaths through July, 2021.
Lifestyle Choices
Around 12.00% of adult Washington residents are smokers—the nation’s 3rd lowest rate (behind Utah and California). Washington has the 10th lowest rate of obesity.
Workplace
With 2.3 deaths per 100,000 workers, Washington ranks as the safest state for workers outside the Northeast and 5th safest overall (behind Connecticut, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Rhode Island).
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, Life Expectancy at Birth by State (2018).
New York Times, Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count (July 23, 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).
Natl. Safety Council, Work Deaths by State (2019).
