Life expectancy longer in Oregon than national average

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A report on health conditions across U.S. counties has found that Benton County residents have the longest life expectancy in Oregon, while Klamath County residents have the shortest.

The University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute released its 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps earlier this month. The report highlights factors that affect physical and mental health, such as alcohol and drug use, income inequality, and injury deaths.

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UW discovered that Oregon and the entirety of the U.S. offer a similar quality of life, with about 14% of adults having either poor or fair health statewide and nationwide.

Within the state, the research shows an average life expectancy of 78.7 years — more than a year higher than the national average of 77.6.

At 82.2 years, Benton County has Oregon’s longest life expectancy. Klamath County has the state’s shortest life expectancy at 73.9 years.

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Oregon counties with highest life expectancy

1. Benton County: 82.2 years

2. Washington County: 81.8 years

3. Deschutes County: 81.2 years

4. Hood River County: 81 years

5. Clackamas County: 80.2 years

Oregon counties with lowest life expectancy

1. Klamath County: 73.9 years

2. Jefferson County: 74.2 years

3. Curry County: 74.4

4. Douglas County: 75.3

5. Josephine County: 75.3

“The healthiest counties, where people live long and well, have well-resourced civic infrastructure, including a more accessible information environment (local news outlets, broadband access and public libraries), compared to counties among the least Healthy,” the Population Health Institute explained.

This is reflected in one of Oregon’s healthiest areas, Benton County, which holds Oregon State University and subsequently offers more resources than Klamath County.

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For every 100,000 individuals in each area, researchers found that about 4.2% of Benton County residents would die prematurely, or before the age of 75. In Klamath County, the percentage increases to 11.4%.

The two areas also had a stark difference in the number of mental health professionals. Benton County recorded one mental health provider for every 80 residents, while Klamath County had one professional for every 190 residents.

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