Watertown Residents Live in One of the Healthiest Counties

WATERTOWN, MA — Do you consider yourself healthy?

According to a recent study on Only In Your State, Watertown’s is the second healthiest county in Massachusetts.

The site based its findings on County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, which ranks longevity of life and quality of life. The study measures access to health care, general beahvior of the population when it comes to taing care of their health, socio-economic factors and the physical environment.

Just 9 percent of the Middlesex population is considered to be in poor or fair health, and people average only 2.7 days of poor health per year. By comparison, the least healthy county, according to the study — Hampden County — sees 15 percent of its population in poor or fair health, and residents average 3.9 days of poor health per year.

In Middlesex County, about 11 percent of the population smokes, 18 percent drinks excessively and about 23 percent are obese, according to the study. All are under the state averages. In Hampden County, 19 percent of people smoke, 19 percent drink excessively and 29 percent are obese, on average.

Here are the 10 healthiest counties, according to Only In Your State:

1. Nantucket
2. Middlesex
3. Dukes County
4. Norfolk
5. Hampshire
6. Essex
7. Barnstable
8. Franklin
9. Plymouth
10. Worcester