Irvine is the 5th Healthiest City in America

by ICNV Staff

Studies show that location matters when it comes to health and happiness. Earlier this year, the data analysis company Niche compared 203 of the most populated U.S. communities across key indicators of good health to determine which cities prioritize residents’ well-being. Irvine earned the No. 5 spot in the study, indicating that our City’s residents are among the healthiest in America.

Irvine is also ranked among the happiest cities in the entire nation. An impressive 88% of Irvine adults report good health, and nearly 84% stay active with regular physical activities. Irvine has the seventh-highest life expectancy in America, the third-lowest rate of poor mental health days, the third lowest divorce rate, and the eighth-lowest depression rate in the nation.

During his State of the City address, Mayor Larry Agran discussed the City’s goal to make Irvine even healthier: “Irvine’s reputation as a national leader in matters of health and wellness continues to grow. With the opening of both City of Hope and UCI Hospital in late 2025, Irvine is now home to four amazing billion-dollar hospitals — the other two being Hoag and Kaiser Permanente. Together, they constitute a premier hospital and healthcare hub for Southern California.”

The City’s first municipal gymnasium is scheduled to open later this year, welcoming residents of all ages and abilities. And the City of Irvine is establishing its own Department of Health & Wellness, designed to expand and improve health and wellness services throughout Irvine.

Last year, the City assembled the Irvine Community Alternative Response & Engagement (I-CARE) team to assist the Irvine Police Department by handling mental health crisis intervention, nonviolent dispute resolution, and other community-based needs that may not require a law enforcement presence. In its first year, the I-CARE team responded to over 4,300 calls, providing resources about 79% of the time on their own without needing police intervention or assistance.

The Mayor also announced a new non-profit in town: “The Kindness Network is being established by Steven Chen, a longtime Irvine resident and leader in the mental health field. In addition to providing mental health services, the mission of the Kindness Network will be to dispel the stigma associated with seeking mental health services, especially in immigrant communities, but more generally as well.”

In addition, the City of Irvine is focused on providing nutritious food through the City’s free grocery food box distribution program for low-income families, and through its Meals on Wheels program for homebound residents. There are also a number of City-supported workshops that teach families how to prepare healthy meals using seasonal fruits & vegetables, and weekly Farmers Markets that offer fresh produce.

With access to high-quality healthcare, green spaces, recreational facilities, and nutritious food, it’s no wonder Irvine is ranked among the healthiest and happiest cities in America.