This blog originally appeared at MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL.
Exercise, a balanced diet, and safe habits play crucial roles in determining both the quality of life and life expectancy. However, did you know that your location also significantly impacts these metrics? U.S. News and World Report reveals that health outcomes are often shaped by factors such as a community’s economic performance, educational strength, housing availability, and affordability, among others.
In its latest “Healthiest Communities” report, U.S. News assessed nearly 3,000 counties across 92 metrics within 10 health categories—ranging from food and nutrition to housing, population health, education, and the economy—to identify the 500 healthiest counties in the nation. The analysis included factors such as housing affordability, food accessibility, and crime rates. Additionally, U.S. News ranked counties based on mental health, life expectancy, safety, and healthcare access.
Three southern Wisconsin counties secured top-25 positions in U.S. News’ rankings—Ozaukee and Waukesha counties were recognized as the 7th and 23rd healthiest counties overall, while Iowa County was ranked 17th for mental health.
Let’s take a closer look at how these Wisconsin communities achieved their impressive rankings.
Ozaukee County ranks among the healthiest in the U.S.
Home to Cedarburg, Mequon, and Port Washington, this northern neighbor of Milwaukee County was named the seventh-healthiest community in the nation by U.S. News.
Ozaukee County excelled in several categories, particularly in food and nutrition, population health, and infrastructure. The county boasts a food insecurity rate of just 4.4%, significantly lower than the national average of 11.5%. Moreover, its residents have lower rates of diabetes and obesity compared to state and national averages.
In terms of population health, Ozaukee County shines with a life expectancy of 81.3 years, which is 5.5 years longer than the national average of 75.8. Additionally, only about 4% of residents are uninsured, compared to 11.5% of Americans nationwide. Smoking rates are also lower, with only 11% of residents smoking compared to 19% nationally. The county also has a significantly lower rate of deaths of despair (suicide or drug/alcohol-related deaths), occurring at about half the national average. Residents here are more likely to engage in regular physical activity than both state and national averages.
Ozaukee County also surpasses national standards in infrastructure. Over 98% of residents have reliable internet access, compared to about 83% nationwide. The county is more walkable than average, and only 3.6% of residents have a commute longer than an hour, which is less than half the national average of 8.3%. Additionally, nearly three-quarters of Ozaukee residents live within walking distance of a library, museum, or park, compared to about 47% of Americans.
It’s important to note that Ozaukee County is one of Wisconsin’s wealthiest counties in terms of both per capita and median family income, according to U.S. Census data. U.S. News reports that the county’s median household income is just over $97,000, compared to the national median of just under $65,000. Clearly, wealth and privilege can significantly influence access to the resources and opportunities that contribute to a long and healthy life.
Waukesha County ranks among the top 25 healthiest counties in the U.S.
Continuing the trend, Wisconsin’s other wealthiest county secured the 25th spot on U.S. News’ list of the nation’s Healthiest Counties. Waukesha County excelled in the population health, economy, and infrastructure categories.
With a life expectancy of 80.7 years, Waukesha residents live nearly five years longer than the national average. Only 4.1% of residents are uninsured, compared to 11.5% nationwide. The county also boasts lower-than-average rates of smoking and heart disease, and its teen birth rate is just 3.3 per 1,000, significantly lower than the national rate of 21.7 per 1,000.
In terms of the economy, Waukesha County boasts an unemployment rate of just 2.6%, one percentage point lower than the national average. The median household income in the county is over $107,000, nearly $38,000 higher than the national average, and the poverty rate is a low 5%, compared to over 14% nationwide.
Similar to its neighbor Ozaukee, Waukesha County excels in infrastructure. Almost all residents have reliable internet access, while only about 83% of Americans can say the same. The rate of residents commuting over an hour to work is less than half the national average. The county is also rated as more walkable than average, with approximately 72% of residents living within walking distance of a library, museum, or park.
Iowa County is recognized as one of the best counties for mental health in the U.S.
Located in southwestern Wisconsin, Iowa County ranked 79th among the nation’s overall healthiest counties and 17th on U.S. News’ list of the Best Counties for Mental Health.
Home to Dodgeville, Mineral Point, and several major state parks, Iowa County scored 90 out of 100 points in U.S. News’ mental health category. In the county, 14.4% of adult residents report experiencing “frequent mental distress,” compared to just over 17% of U.S. adults. The county has a rate of 28.6 deaths of despair (suicide or drug/alcohol-related deaths) per 100,000 residents, significantly lower than the national rate of 63.5 per 100,000 and Wisconsin’s rate of 53.5 per 100,000.
Additionally, U.S. News found that 13% of Medicare beneficiaries in Iowa County have depression, compared to nearly 18% of beneficiaries nationwide and in Wisconsin.
What are the healthiest counties in Wisconsin?
These 10 Wisconsin counties ranked highest on U.S. News’s Healthiest Communities list:
- Ozaukee County (No. 7)
- Waukesha County (No. 23)
- Washington County (No. 46)
- St. Croix County (No. 65)
- Iowa County (No. 79)
- Calumet County (No. 89)
- Dane County (No. 97)
- Outagamie County (No. 120)
- Green County (No. 132)
- Portage County (No. 194)
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