Is Idaho Home to the Nation's Longest Living People?

IDAHO LIFE EXPECTANCY by resident

According to 2020 data released by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, Idaho's average life expectancy is 78.4 years. Fast-forward to 2023, and World Population Review's newest data confirms Idaho's life expectancy hasn't budged a single year.

IDAHO LIFE EXPECTANCY by county

Data from a 2022 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps study evaluated and compared the life expectancies of 16 counties throughout the Gem State.

The 2022 study utilizes the following to determine life expectancy:

The county's average number of years from birth a person can expect to live
A calculation based on the number of deaths during that time period in the county
The average number of people at risk of dying during that period within the county

While no single metric can account for an entire county's physical well-being, we know factors such as "access to health care, clean air, clean water, and affordable housing, contribute significantly to the general health and wellbeing of the entire population."

IDAHO'S 7 LONGEST-LIVING counties

7. Ada County average life expectancy: 80.8 years

6. Adams County average life expectancy: 80.9 years

5. Boise County average life expectancy: 81.8 years

4. Latah County average life expectancy: 82.8 years

3. Teton County average life expectancy: 83.5 years

2. Valley County average life expectancy: 83.5 years

1. Blaine County average life expectancy: 85.2 years

SENIOR SPOTLIGHT: MRS. CHRYSTAL LEOLA HARPER, age one hundred eleven

Chrystal Leola Harper (née Uhrig), was born 28 Jun. 1905 and laid to rest 11 Dec. 2016. A rare centenarian, her lovely lifetime spanned 111 years and 166 days.

Born in Stanton, Idaho, Chrystal grew up in Blaine County, Idaho, known around the world for the "quality and beauty of its natural environment and recreational opportunities."

At the age of 19, Chrystal married the love of her life, Ed Alfred Harper, on 15. Sept. 1924. While the two had no children, the Harpers enjoyed 35 wonderful years of marriage before Ed passed away in 1959.

Mrs. Harper is currently thought to be the oldest known centenarian in the Gem State, however, according to Gerontology Wiki, verification is still pending. Today, she is laid to rest alongside her sweetheart in Bellevue, Idaho.

Photo Credit: Gerontology Wiki

Scroll on for an absolutely inspiring gallery of states where people live the longest!

READ ON: See the States Where People Live the Longest

Stacker used data from the 2020 County Health Rankings to rank every state's average life expectancy from lowest to highest. The 2020 County Health Rankings values were calculated using mortality counts from the 2016-2018 National Center for Health Statistics. The U.S. Census 2019 American Community Survey and America's Health Rankings Senior Report 2019 data were also used to provide demographics on the senior population of each state and the state's rank on senior health care, respectively.

Read on to learn the average life expectancy in each state.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang

Joplin Cemetery: Idaho's Most Unique Burial Grounds

Joplin's Cemetery - Est. 1882 - Eagle, Idaho

"To the memory of the pioneer families who came to this valley in 1880. This sacred place is reserved and perpetuated as they found it. Dry and desolate, many were the hardships and privations endured. Dedicated to the spirit of the old timers and pioneers."

Scroll on for a unique tour of Idaho's most interesting cemetery!

Gallery Credit: Ryan Valenzuela