North Dakota’s Longevity Hot Spots: Where People Are Living the Longest

If you have ever considered living to the ripe age of 100, you may want to start packing and move to Oliver County, North Dakota. Oliver County boasts the highest life expectancy in the state—a stunning 91.2 years—based on fresh information provided by Stacker. That 13.1 years surpasses the state average. Whatever they are doing outside, they must be on the right track!

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Oliver County is not the only area where people are piling on birthdays, though. Other elite candidates in ND are Burke and Steele Counties (both at 81.9 years), LaMoure County (83.9 years), and Golden Valley County (87.4 years). Even Logan County, Divide County, and Mercer County all mark eighty years.

Why Are Residents Living Longer?

Are these counties North Dakota's equivalent of the well known "blue zones," where people naturally lead longer, better lives? Maybe they keep magic water in somewhere in the basement. It might be the fresh air, friendly neighbors, or a good diet heavy in lefse and knoephla soup. Or people just refuse to go because winters are so long!

These longevity hot spots have something going for them. Scientists believe that life expectancy influenced heavily by elements including genes, food, exercise, and even stress level. So you might want to think about moving to one of these counties if you wish to add a few more candles to your birthday cake.

But For The Rest of Us?

Now, if your county—Williams County, for example—did not make the list, do not panic. Life expectancy is about your way of life rather than only where you live. Eat your veggies, go for a walk, or borrow a lesson from Oliver County's book. Whatever they are doing out there, it appears to be effective!