U.S. Census Bureau data released today indicates a notable shift in health insurance coverage, with the rate of individuals under age 65 without health insurance increasing in 427 counties across the United States between 2023 and 2024, while decreasing in only 65 counties.
These findings come from the Small Area Health Insurance Estimates (SAHIE), the sole source for single-year county-level data on health insurance for those under 65. The latest release also introduces a new breakdown for the 21-29 age group, alongside existing statistics by sex, age, and income levels relevant to assistance programs.
Further analysis shows a decline in counties with low uninsured rates; 1,300, or 41.4%, of U.S. counties had an estimated uninsured rate below 10% in 2024. This is a decrease from 46.3% in 2023 and 45.2% in 2022, highlighting a trend of increasing uninsured populations in many regions.