How Healthy Is Passaic County: By The Numbers

PASSAIC COUNTY, NJ — Residents of Passaic County are healthier than New Jerseyans 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.

"The healthiest counties, where people live long and well, have well-resourced civic infrastructure, including a more accessible information environment (local news outlets, broadband access and public libraries), compared to counties among the least healthy," the County Health Rankings report said.

"Counties with well-resourced civic infrastructure and accessible information environments also offer more social and economic opportunity for good health."

In general, the County Health Rankings and Roadmap report shows Passaic County residents live longer than the average American, though life expectancy is slightly lower than the state average. Passaic has a lower excessive drinking rate than the Garden State's average, or the country's as a whole.

However, both the rates of physical inactivity and the percentage of people who are in poor or fair health are higher in Passaic County than on average in New Jersey or the United States. And, the rate of education attainment lags behind state and national averages.

In publishing the county health rankings, researchers highlighted the importance of civic participation in shaping a community where everyone thrives — which includes providing space for people to connect and be informed, as well as an individual effort.

"Evidence shows that participating in our communities, whether through volunteering or joining neighborhood groups, strengthens our social connections and sense of belonging which in turn, benefits our physical and mental health," the study authors said.

By the numbers, here’s a snapshot of Passaic County and how it compares to New Jersey and the nation on selected measures:

• Life expectancy for county residents is 78.6 years, compared to 79.2 years statewide and 77.6 nationally;
• 18 percent of residents are in poor or fair health, compared with 14 percent statewide and 14 percent nationally;
• 13 percent of adults smoke, compared with 11 percent statewide and 15 percent nationally;
• 31 percent of adults are obese, compared with 28 percent statewide and 34 percent nationally;
• 31 percent of residents are physically inactive, compared with 23 percent statewide and 23 percent nationally;
• 99 have access to exercise facilities, compared with 96 percent statewide and 84 percent nationally;
• 16 percent of adults drink excessively, compared with 17 percent statewide and 18 percent nationally;
• 18 percent of motor vehicle deaths from 2017-2021 involved alcohol, compared with 23 percent statewide and 26 percent nationally.

The report also showed educational attainment in Passaic County falls short of state and national averages. About 85 percent of residents have completed high school, compared with 91 percent statewide and 89 percent nationally, and 57 percent of residents have some college, compared with 72 percent statewide and 68 percent nationally.

Other socio-economic measures of note showed:

• 18 percent of children live in poverty, compared with 13 percent statewide and 16 percent nationally;
• 27 percent of children live in single-parent households, compared with 21 percent statewide and 25 percent nationally;
• 27 percent of people report severe housing problems, compared with 20 percent statewide and 17 percent nationally.
• The unemployment rate for people ages 16 and older was 4.6 percent, compared to an average of 3.7 percent statewide and 3.7 percent nationally.

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