How Healthy Is San Diego County: By The Numbers

SAN DIEGO, CA — Residents of San Diego County are healthier than Americans as a whole, according to a report Wednesday from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Researchers analyzed U.S. counties on dozens of factors, including a range of behaviors and access to health care, that can help determine how long a person lives and the quality of their lives. The analysis is based on 2017-2021 health data.

In general, the County Health Rankings and Roadmap report shows San Diego County residents live longer than people in California and the U.S.

By the numbers, here's a snapshot of San Diego County and how it compares to California and the nation on selected measures:

• 15 percent of residents are in poor or fair health, compared with 16 percent statewide and 14 percent nationally;
• 11 percent of adults smoke, compared with 9 percent statewide and 15 percent nationally;
• 24 percent of adults are obese, compared with 28 percent statewide and 34 percent nationally;
• 17 percent of residents are physically inactive, compared with 20 percent statewide and 23 percent nationally;
• 97 have access to exercise opportunities, compared with 94 percent statewide and 84 percent nationally;
• 21 percent of adults drink excessively, compared with 17 percent statewide and 18 percent nationally;
• 25 percent of motor vehicle deaths from 2017-2021 involved alcohol, compared with 27 percent statewide and 26 percent nationally;

The report also showed educational attainment in San Diego County exceeds or matches state and national averages. About 89 percent of residents have high school diplomas, compared with 84 percent statewide and 89 percent nationally, and 74 percent of residents have some college, compared with 68 percent statewide and 68 percent nationally.

Other socio-economic measures of note showed:

• 13 percent of children live in poverty, compared with 15 percent statewide and 16 percent nationally;
• 21 percent of children live in single-parent households, compared with 22 percent statewide and 25 percent nationally;
• 25 percent of people report severe housing problems, compared with 26 percent statewide and 17 percent nationally.

More information is found on the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s County Health Rankings and Roadmap page.