Houston County Health Data
Houston County, Alabama
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
31/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
73.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
73.5 yr
State avg 72.1 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.7%
State avg 11.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
82
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
192
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
22.3%
State avg 23.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
27.9
per 100K residentsCDC: 81.9 per 100K
Dentists
5.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
25.1
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Houston County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Houston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 40.5% | 41.9% | 37.6% | 1.4 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 13.1% | 13.9% | 11.2% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 39.8% | 41.7% | 33.5% | 1.9 pts better than state |
| Depression | 25.8% | 24.7% | 24.1% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Houston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.3% | 18.0% | 16.3% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 14.8% | 14.8% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.7% | 30.8% | 27.0% | 3.1 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Houston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 79.4% | 78.7% | 74.9% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 53.0% | 52.5% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.6% | 75.2% | 73.3% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Houston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.5% | 19.4% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 40.4% | 41.8% | 37.3% | 1.4 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Houston County nationally on physical inactivity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Houston County Primary Care Ratios Exceed National and State Medians
Health data brief for Houston County, Alabama.
Houston County maintains 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national median of 70 per 100,000. Other health metrics show a life expectancy of 73.5 years, which is higher than the state average of 72.1 years but lower than the national mark of 77 years. The county's uninsured rate of 11.7% is higher than the state average of 11.1% and the national average of 10%. Meanwhile, 22.3% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. Mental health services are provided at a ratio of 192 providers per 100,000 residents, which remains below the national median of 250 per 100,000. These data points reflect current records from the CDC and NPPES. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Houston County, Alabama
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Southeast Health Medical Center
ERFlowers Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Houston County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Houston County, AL?
What is the life expectancy in Houston County?
How does Houston County health compare to the Alabama average?
What health factors affect Houston County?
Is Houston County a healthy place to live?
Why is Houston County healthier than the Alabama average?
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.