Life Expectancy Data Viz

Life Expectancy at Birth for U.S. States and Census Tracts, 2010-2015

This interactive United States map shows estimates of U.S. life expectancy at birth by state and census tract for the period 2010-2015 (1-2). Estimates were produced for 67,148 census tracts, covering all states and the District of Columbia (D.C.). These estimates are the result of the collaborative project, “U.S. Small-area Life Expectancy Estimates Project (USALEEP),” between the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the National Association for Public Health Statistics and Information Systems (NAPHSIS), and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) (2).

Looking for a census tract code based on an address?
Type the address into the search box at https://geomap.ffiec.gov/FFIECGeocMap/GeocodeMap1.aspx

Use the table value named "Tract Code" to get the tract number for the address (e.g.:8059.06)

Download Datasets:

CSV Format
Data.CDC.gov (Export to CSV, JSON, XLS, XML)^[?]

Info Tool

Geographic areas with no data available are filled in gray

(The following data table describes the currently displayed map)

U.S.Life Expectancy at Birth by State and Census Tract

Notes:

Census tracts are sub-county geographic areas with an average population size of 4,000, ranging from 1,200 to 8,000 people. The mortality data used to produce the estimates by census tract are final death counts for each year of the 2010–2015 period, collected from death certificates, filed in state vital statistics offices and geocoded with census tract codes. The population data used include counts of the population residing in the United States enumerated as of April 1, 2010 by the decennial census conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau and population estimates based on the 2011-2015 5-year American Community Survey (ACS). Census tract codes may be identified based on an address using the FFIEC Geocoding/Mapping System available from: https://geomap.ffiec.gov/FFIECGeocMap/GeocodeMap1.aspx.
The methodology developed to produce the life expectancy estimates by U.S. census tract consists of a combination of standard demographic techniques and statistical modeling, which addressed the challenges posed by small population sizes and small and missing age-specific death counts (2). See reference (2) for a detailed description of the methodology used to produce the estimates.
The methodology used to estimate the life tables for Maine and Wisconsin differs slightly from that used to estimate the life tables for all other registration areas, because they did not have all the years of mortality data required initially for this study. For details, see the addendum in U.S. small-area life expectancy estimates project: Methodology and results summary report (2).
Estimates were not produced or published for census tracts with population of less than 5,000 over the 5-year period, 2011-2015, for Maine and Wisconsin and the 6-year period, 2010-2015, for all other registration areas; for census tracts with age-specific death counts greater than population counts; and, for census tracts with life expectancy at birth estimates with standard errors greater than 4 years.
The 2010 Census cartographic boundary files shown on this map are simplified representations of census tracts from the U.S. Census Bureau’s MAF/TIGER geographic database and were chosen because it takes less time to render on screen. These boundary files are not to be used for geographic analysis including area or perimeter calculation, geocoding addresses, or determining precise geographic area relationships. For more information, please visit the U.S. Census Bureau page: https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/cbf/cbf_description.html.
- *Not Available.

Data and Documentation:

NCHS, National Vital Statistics System, US Small-area Life Expectancy Estimates Project (USALEEP), Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/usaleep/usaleep.html.

References:

Geographic Terms and Concepts - Census Tract. U.S. Census Bureau, Geography. 2018, available from, https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_ct.html.
Arias E, Escobedo LA, Kennedy J, Fu C, Cisewski J. U.S. small-area life expectancy estimates project: Methodology and results summary. National Center for Health Statistics. Vital Health Stat 2(181). 2018.

Suggested citation:

Tejada-Vera B, Bastian B, Arias E, Escobedo LA., Salant B, Life Expectancy Estimates by U.S. Census Tract, 2010-2015. National Center for Health Statistics. 2020.

Life Expectancy at Birth for U.S. Census tracts, 2010-2015

Interactive Map Instructions

SELECTING AN AREA

To select a state: Use the drop-down list at the top of the map or click over the state area on the map. State name is shown by hovering over the map
To select a county (after state selection): Use the drop-down list at the top of the map or click over the map. County name is shown by hovering over the map. Note: This map does not include estimates at the county level.
To select a census tract: Use the drop-down list at the top of the map or click over the map. Census tract number is shown by hovering over the map.
- Looking for a census tract code based on an address?
- Type the address into the search box at https://geomap.ffiec.gov/FFIECGeocMap/GeocodeMap1.aspx. Use the table value named "Tract Code" to get the tract number for the address (e.g.: 8059.06)

SAVING YOUR RESULTS

To save results in a temporary log: Click the "Info tool" check box located on the right side of the map. To save life expectancy data for multiple geographic areas.
After selecting the map area, press the save to log button to record your results and keep them visible in the window
To reset the log: Press reset log.

NAVIGATING THE MAP

To adjust your census tract viewing area: Click (hold down) and drag the map in the desired direction or use the arrow controls located at the right side of the map. To zoom in/out, use the scroll wheel on your mouse or double click inside the specific area on the map.
To view all U.S. census tracts: select see all tracts.
To go back, or to zoom out to state or county view: Use the state knob or county control buttons located on the right side of the map.
To see all census tract estimates for a selected state: Use the Census Tract control button.
To reset the map view: Use the U.S. control button.

The static image below shows the geographic variation of life expectancy at birth across
U.S. census tracts

Life Expectancy at Birth for U.S. Census Tracts, 2010-2015