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District of Columbia Value:
Percentage of adults age 65 and older who live in a rural area
Percentage of adults age 65 and older who live in a rural area
0.0% - 15.0%
15.1% - 27.1%
27.2% - 34.9%
35.0% - 45.0%
45.1% - 69.6%
No Data
US Value: 24.1 %
Top State(s): New Jersey: 6.9 %
Bottom State(s): Vermont: 69.6 %
Definition: Percentage of adults age 65 and older who live in a rural area
Data Source and Years(s): U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Dataset, 2023
Suggested Citation: America's Health Rankings analysis of U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 1-Year Dataset, United Health Foundation, AmericasHealthRankings.org, accessed 2026.
Residents of rural areas are older than their urban counterparts and are at greater risk for poor health outcomes. Rural areas are often under-resourced and face unique challenges regarding the social determinants of health. These challenges are associated with a preventable hospitalization rate 40% higher than that of urban populations and a mortality rate 23% higher. Rural residents also have higher rates of cigarette smoking, high blood pressure and obesity.
Older adults living in rural areas face unique challenges to staying healthy. The health of rural populations is impacted by a complex mix of economic, social, racial, ethnic and geographic factors. Financial insecurity, remote location, lower socioeconomic status and higher rates of unhealthy behaviors contribute to the significant health disparities between rural and urban populations. Furthermore, geographic isolation and shortages in the health care workforce make access to care a very serious challenge for rural populations. As rural residents age and their health needs increase, their already-limited access to necessary services may further decrease if they have mobility impairments or rely on caregivers for transportation.
Addressing rural health disparities requires special policy considerations at all levels of the government and community.
To reduce health disparities in rural areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that health care providers focus on the following areas for improvement:
Additionally, the CDC created a Rural Public Health Strategic Plan to improve the health of rural communities.
Older adults can use the National Council on Aging’s BenefitsCheckUp tool to find out more about what kind of assistance they may be eligible for and the Administration on Aging’s Eldercare Locator to find programs near them.
Johnston, Kenton J., Hefei Wen, and Karen E. Joynt Maddox. “Lack Of Access To Specialists Associated With Mortality And Preventable Hospitalizations Of Rural Medicare Beneficiaries.” Health Affairs 38, no. 12 (December 1, 2019): 1993–2002. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2019.00838.
America’s Health Rankings builds on the work of the United Health Foundation to draw attention to public health and better understand the health of various populations. Our platform provides relevant information that policymakers, public health officials, advocates and leaders can use to effect change in their communities.
We have developed detailed analyses on the health of key populations in the country, including women and children, seniors and those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces, in addition to a deep dive into health disparities across the country.
