One Of The Healthiest Places In The US Is A County In Colorado Known For Skiing And Hiking

What does a "healthy community" mean to you? The availability of quality food? Access to good healthcare? Clean air? According to U.S. News & World Report, some of the healthiest communities in America check all those boxes and more. Their rankings take into account things like population health, the environment, the local economy, and community support, using trusted data from several federal sources.

One rural county in Colorado ranked 25th out of 500 communities overall. Routt County, Colorado, relies on tourism to drive its economy, and it's home to Steamboat Springs, a popular ski resort. But Steamboat isn't just a winter destination. When the snow melts, the trails welcome hikers and mountain bikers, and nearby rivers like the Colorado and Clear Creek become hotspots for white water rafting.

While Routt County draws plenty of active tourists, the 25,000 residents benefit from a lifestyle that supports long-term health. Factors like access to education, nutritious food, and a focus on health equity all help make it one of the healthiest places to live in the country.

The average life expectancy in the United States is 75.8 years, which is much lower than in many other countries (via Worldometer). Places like Switzerland, Australia, Italy, and Singapore have an average life expectancy of 84 years. Interestingly, that's also the life expectancy in Routt County, Colorado. Fewer than 12% of people in Routt County smoke, compared to the national average of 19%. (Learn about the 10 states where people live the longest.)

When it comes to health equity, Routt County also stands out. There are fewer racial and ethnic disparities in exposure to air toxins, low birth weight, and premature death, earning the county a health equity score of 94 out of 100.

Education is another area where Routt County excels. It spends nearly $38,000 per student — more than double the national average. And more than 70% of children are enrolled in preschool, compared to just 42% nationwide.

People in Routt County also tend to eat a bit healthier than the rest of the country. Households spend more of their grocery budget on fruits and vegetables, and less on soda and sugary drinks (here's what can happen if you drink more than two sodas a day). That might help explain why fewer than 21% of residents are obese, compared to the national obesity rate of 37.4%.

Routt County isn't perfect, though. There are still a few areas where it could improve to support better health. For example, even though the county has slightly more doctors per capita than the national average, fewer residents actually visit their doctors for annual preventive care (here are the most important health exams to get at every age).

Living in the Colorado Rockies also comes with a higher price tag. More than a third of households spend at least 30% of their income on housing, compared to 23.5% of households nationwide. On average, residents need to work over 49 hours a week just to afford their housing.

Lastly, you might assume that life in a small mountain town means a healthier environment and climate. To some extent, that's true. Routt County scores a 91 out of 100 for clean air and water. It also enjoys relatively milder summers and winters than similar mountain towns, the state of Colorado overall, and the U.S. average. However, Routt County does experience more days of extreme heat each year, and a larger portion of its population lives in a flood hazard zone.