Rockland Makes the Cut as One of Nation’s Healthiest Counties

By M. C. Millman

Nearly 3,000 US counties and county-equivalents were assessed in the most recent U.S. News and World Report. Each county was scored in 89 metrics across ten categories that drive community health, including population health, equity, education, economy, housing, food and nutrition, environment, public safety, community vitality, and infrastructure. 

U.S. News worked with the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement System (CARES) to collect and analyze the data. Data was collected from reputable sources, including the CDC, the U.S. Census Bureau, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 

This report ranked the top 500 healthiest counties from 1 to 500. In the state of New York., the healthiest county was Saratoga County, coming in at number 60 nationwide, with a life expectancy of 83.1 years. Rockland County came in at number 435, with a life expectancy of 83.5 years. 

Additional counties that made the top 500 list in New York include Nassau county at number 98, Putnam County at 176, Westchester County at 219, and Madison County at 271. Ontario County came in at number 29, Suffolk County at number 342, Warren County at number 357, New York County at number 365, Albany County at number 444, and Rensselaer County at number 472.