Arizona's counties aren't among healthiest in the US, study shows. Here's why?

U.S. News and World Report released its ranking of the healthiest counties, and no Arizona counties cracked the top 500.

U.S. News and World Report released its 2024 rankings of the top 500 Healthiest Communities nationwide. Every county in the U.S. was scored on a scale of one to 100 based on 10 categories that "drive community health". These categories were population health, equity, education, housing, food and nutrition, environment, public safety, community vitality and infrastructure.

Arizona's average score was 42, six points under the national average. Maricopa County was ranked the healthiest Arizona county, though no Arizona counties were able to crack the top 500

Here's how U.S. News and World Report scored some of Arizona's healthiest and least healthy counties.

What this studay say: Is Arizona really one of the worst states to live in?

Where are the healthiest counties in Arizona?

Here's how U.S. News and World Report scored Arizona counties and their scores out of 100.

1. Maricopa County: 55
2. Greenlee and Yavapai counties: Tied with a score of 54
3. Cochise and Pima counties: Tied with a score of 46
4. Pinal County: 44
5. Coconino and Santa Cruz counties: Tied with a score of 42
6. Graham County : 37
7. Yuma County : 35
8. Mohave County : 32
9. Gila County : 23
10. La Paz County : 16
11. Navajo County : 11
12. Apache County : 5

Named one of the best places to live: Consider this Arizona city if you are moving.

Why is Maricopa County the healthiest?

Maricopa County, which spans cities like Phoenix, Chandler, Scottsdale and Glendale and includes more than 4 million residents, is the most populous and highest-scoring county in Arizona, according to U.S. News and World Report. The median household income in this community is $77,809 and nearly 100% of these residents have internet access.

This county ranks well in the economy and infrastructure sections with above average weekly wages and a high walkability score. However, the violent crime rate in Maricopa County, 408.9 per 100,000 people, is higher than the national average, 255.2 per 100,000 people.

What are the healthiest counties in the US?

The healthiest U.S. county was Falls Church County in Virginia. The midwest had six of the top 10, with the western United States rounding out the list with three counties.

These are the 10 healthiest counties in the United States, according to U.S. News and World Report.

1. Falls Church County, Virginia
2. Los Alamos County, New Mexico
3. Douglas County, Colorado
4. Sioux County, Iowa
5. Hamilton County, Indiana
6. Dallas County, Iowa
7. Ozaukee County, Wisconsin
8. Carver County, Minnesota
9. Bremer County, Iowa
10. Morgan County, Utah

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona's counties aren't among healthiest in the US, study shows. Here's why?