Counties with the shortest life expectancy in Minnesota
Life expectancy can be affected by a variety of factors. About 25% of your lifespan is determined by genetics, according to the National Library of Medicine. Health and wellness habits—like following a balanced, nutrient-rich diet; not smoking; drinking minimal alcohol; maintaining a healthy weight; and staying physically active—can add more than a decade to your life, research from the National Institutes of Health shows. While these factors are significant, another important element that you might not have considered is your environment and community.
While life expectancy generally increases annually in the United States—jumping from about 70.8 years old to 77.5 between 1970 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—this particular metric can vary from state to state or even county to county. In some parts of the country, the average lifespan is getting shorter based on a variety of risk factors on top of health, including socioeconomic factors like poverty, unemployment, income, and education.
According to a 2020 study from researchers at Penn State, West Virginia, and Michigan State Universities, communities with a higher population density, more fast food restaurants, and a high number of extraction industry-based jobs tend to have shorter life expectancies.
To find out how life expectancy varies within Minnesota, Stacker used 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to identify the counties with the shortest life expectancy. Life expectancy measures the average number of years from birth a person can expect to live and is calculated based on the number of deaths in a given time period and the average number of people at risk of dying during that period. Counties with unreliable or insufficient data were excluded from the analysis. Mortality data came from the National Vital Statistics System.
Read on to see if your county is on the list.
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#44. Nobles County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.4 years
— 0.3 years lower than the state average
About
Nobles County stretches across the open prairies of southwest Minnesota, where wide skies and fertile farmland define the horizon. Worthington, the county seat, has grown as a cultural and economic hub, shaped by agriculture, immigration, and its role as a regional crossroads. The prairie landscape gives the county both its foundation and its enduring character.
Life flows through harvest festivals, community gatherings, and traditions rooted in both heritage and new diversity. Agriculture continues as the backbone of the local economy, while education and commerce broaden opportunities. Nobles County reflects a place where prairie land, cultural variety, and community strength remain closely linked.
Where is Nobles County?
Nobles County is in southwestern Minnesota, bordered by Rock County to the west, Murray County to the north, and Jackson County to the east. It lies about 160 miles southwest of Minneapolis and shares its southern border with the state of Iowa. The county’s landscape is defined by open prairies, fertile farmland, and glacially formed lakes and streams.
Worthington, the county seat, is centrally located and serves as the region’s commercial and cultural hub. Smaller communities include Adrian to the west and Rushmore near the eastern edge. With its strong agricultural base and mix of small towns, Nobles County reflects the rural character of Minnesota’s prairie lands.
#41. Redwood County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.3 years
— 0.4 years lower than the state average
About
Redwood County sits in southwest Minnesota, with Redwood Falls serving as its county seat and main center of activity. Its history is rooted in farming and settlement along the Minnesota River, which still shapes both the economy and the landscape. Agriculture remains the backbone, supported by small industries and local trade.
Community life is reflected in school traditions, county fairs, and civic gatherings that keep residents connected. Parks and riverfront spaces add recreation and natural beauty to daily living. Redwood County represents a balance of agricultural strength, community pride, and steady regional growth.
Where is Redwood County?
Redwood County is located in southwestern Minnesota, bordered by Renville County to the north, Brown County to the east, and Lyon County to the west. It lies about 110 miles southwest of Minneapolis and is part of the prairie region of the state. The Minnesota River forms much of its northern boundary, adding to the county’s fertile agricultural landscape.
Redwood Falls, the county seat, sits near the Minnesota River and serves as the hub of government and commerce. Other communities include Walnut Grove to the west and Morgan to the east, both tied to the county’s farming traditions. With its mix of farmland, river valleys, and historic sites, Redwood County highlights the agricultural and cultural heritage of southwestern Minnesota.
#41. Chisago County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.3 years
— 0.4 years lower than the state average
#41. Douglas County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.3 years
— 0.4 years lower than the state average
#40. Watonwan County
– Life expectancy: 79.2 years
— 0.5 years lower than the state average
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#39. Lincoln County
– Life expectancy: 79.1 years
— 0.6 years lower than the state average
#37. Mower County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.0 years
— 0.7 years lower than the state average
#37. Crow Wing County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 79.0 years
— 0.7 years lower than the state average
#35. Clay County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.9 years
— 0.8 years lower than the state average
#35. Lake of the Woods County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.9 years
— 0.8 years lower than the state average
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#34. Isanti County
– Life expectancy: 78.8 years
— 0.9 years lower than the state average
#30. Faribault County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.7 years
— 1.0 years lower than the state average
#30. Pope County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.7 years
— 1.0 years lower than the state average
#30. Grant County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.7 years
— 1.0 years lower than the state average
#30. Goodhue County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.7 years
— 1.0 years lower than the state average
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#27. Morrison County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.6 years
— 1.1 years lower than the state average
#27. Swift County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.6 years
— 1.1 years lower than the state average
#27. Koochiching County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 78.6 years
— 1.1 years lower than the state average
#26. Ramsey County
– Life expectancy: 78.4 years
— 1.3 years lower than the state average
#25. Aitkin County
– Life expectancy: 78.2 years
— 1.5 years lower than the state average
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#24. Renville County
– Life expectancy: 78.1 years
— 1.6 years lower than the state average
#23. Big Stone County
– Life expectancy: 78.0 years
— 1.7 years lower than the state average
#21. Norman County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.9 years
— 1.8 years lower than the state average
#21. Cottonwood County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.9 years
— 1.8 years lower than the state average
#19. Benton County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.7 years
— 2.0 years lower than the state average
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#19. St. Louis County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.7 years
— 2.0 years lower than the state average
#17. Polk County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.4 years
— 2.3 years lower than the state average
#17. Pine County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.4 years
— 2.3 years lower than the state average
#15. Carlton County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.3 years
— 2.4 years lower than the state average
#15. Rock County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.3 years
— 2.4 years lower than the state average
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#14. Kanabec County
– Life expectancy: 77.2 years
— 2.5 years lower than the state average
#11. Wadena County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.1 years
— 2.6 years lower than the state average
#11. Roseau County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.1 years
— 2.6 years lower than the state average
#11. Itasca County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 77.1 years
— 2.6 years lower than the state average
#10. Chippewa County
– Life expectancy: 77.0 years
— 2.7 years lower than the state average
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#8. Wilkin County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 76.8 years
— 2.9 years lower than the state average
#8. Becker County (tie)
– Life expectancy: 76.8 years
— 2.9 years lower than the state average
#7. Kittson County
– Life expectancy: 76.4 years
— 3.3 years lower than the state average
#6. Traverse County
– Life expectancy: 76.3 years
— 3.4 years lower than the state average
#5. Cass County
– Life expectancy: 75.8 years
— 3.9 years lower than the state average
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#4. Clearwater County
– Life expectancy: 75.2 years
— 4.5 years lower than the state average
#3. Beltrami County
– Life expectancy: 75.1 years
— 4.6 years lower than the state average
#2. Mille Lacs County
– Life expectancy: 74.6 years
— 5.1 years lower than the state average
#1. Mahnomen County
– Life expectancy: 68.7 years
— 11.0 years lower than the state average
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
By Stacker
