What does this measure?
The number of deaths per year, expressed as a rate per 10,000 residents.
Why is this important?
Mortality rates are a measure of the overall health of a community, particularly since some of the most common causes of death, such as heart disease, can be prevented or mitigated through lifestyle changes, prevention efforts, early intervention, and better health care.
How is our county doing?
In 2024, Essex County's mortality rate was 89 per 10,000 residents, slightly higher rate than the state (84 per 10,000 residents) and similar to the nation (90 per 10,000 residents). Essex's rate is the same as in 2015, but down from a high or 106 per 10,000 in 2020.
How do we compare to similar counties?
The mortality rate for Essex County in 2024 was higher than Lake, IL, Westchester, NY and Middlesex, MA (all at 71 per 10,000 residents). Rates for all counties held fairly steady over the last decade with the exception of Lake County, IL which increased by 9% since 2015.
Notes about the data
None.