How Healthy Is Newport County: By The Numbers

NEWPORT COUNTY, RI — Residents of Newport County live healthier than Rhode Islanders 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 Newport County residents live longer lives than most people in Rhode Island, but longer lives than U.S. residents as a whole.

By the numbers, here’s a snapshot of Newport County and how it compares to Rhode Island and the nation on selected measures:

• 10 percent of residents are in poor or fair health, compared with 13 percent statewide and 14 percent nationally;
• 11 percent of adults smoke, compared with 13 percent statewide and 15 percent nationally;
• 26 percent of adults are obese, compared with 31 percent statewide and 34 percent nationally;
• 17 percent of residents are physically inactive, compared with 24 percent statewide and 23 percent nationally;
• 90 percent have access to exercise facilities, compared with 95 percent statewide and 84 percent nationally;
• 22 percent of adults drink excessively, compared with 21 percent statewide and 18 percent nationally;
• 29 percent of motor vehicle deaths from 2017-2021 involved alcohol, compared with 41 percent statewide and 26 percent nationally;

The report also showed educational attainment in Newport County exceeds state and national averages. About 95 percent of residents have high school diplomas, compared with 89 percent statewide and 89 percent nationally, and 77 percent of residents have some college, compared with 69 percent statewide and 68 percent nationally.

Other socio-economic measures of note showed:

• 9 percent of children live in poverty, compared with 14 percent statewide and 16 percent nationally;
• 21 percent of children live in single-parent households, compared with 26 percent statewide and 25 percent nationally;
• 15 percent of people report severe housing problems, compared with 16 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.

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