How Healthy Is Macomb County: By The Numbers

MACOMB COUNTY, MI — Residents of Macomb County are slightly less healthier than Michiganders as a whole, according to a report Wednesday from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.

Researchers analyzed U.S. counties on dozens of factors, including a range of behaviors and access to health care, that can help determine how long a person lives and the quality of their lives. The analysis is based on 2017-2021 health data.

In general, the County Health Rankings and Roadmap report shows Macomb County residents live longer than people in Michiganders and the nation.

By the numbers, here’s a snapshot of Macomb County and how it compares Michigan and the nation on selected measures:

• 15 percent of residents are in poor or fair health, compared with 15 percent statewide and 14 percent nationally;
• 19 percent of adults smoke, compared with 18 percent statewide and 15 percent nationally;
• 38 percent of adults are obese, compared with 35 percent statewide and 34 percent nationally;
• 23 percent of residents are physically inactive, compared with 22 percent statewide and 23 percent nationally;
• 97 have access to exercise facilities, compared with 86 percent statewide and 84 percent nationally;
• 18 percent of adults drink excessively, compared with 19 percent statewide and 18 percent nationally;
• 27 percent of motor vehicle deaths from 2017-2021 involved alcohol, compared with 30 percent statewide and 26 percent nationally;

The report also showed educational attainment in Macomb County slightly falls short of state and national averages. About 91 percent of residents have high school diplomas, compared with 92 percent statewide and 91 percent nationally, and 68 percent of residents have some college, compared with 68 percent statewide and 68 percent nationally.

Other socio-economic measures of note showed:

• 13 percent of children live in poverty, compared with 18 percent statewide and 16 percent nationally;
• 22 percent of children live in single-parent households, compared with 25 percent statewide and 25 percent nationally;
• 14 percent of people report severe housing problems, compared with 13 percent statewide and 17 percent nationally.

More information is found on the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute’s County Health Rankings and Roadmap page.