Clay County Health Data

Clay County, Arkansas

Health Score

29/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.8 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.6%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

7

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

99

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Clay County, Arkansas

Clay exceeds Arkansas but lags U.S. norms

Clay County's 72.8-year life expectancy beats Arkansas's 72.3-year average and exceeds the county's own poor/fair health rate of 25.4%. However, the county still falls about 3.6 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, typical for rural Arkansas.

Upper-middle health outcomes statewide

At 72.8 years, Clay County ranks above the Arkansas average and lands in the upper third of the state's county health rankings. The 25.4% poor/fair health rate, while substantial, positions the county better than state peers like Chicot and Cleveland counties.

Outperforms some peers, trails others

Clay's 72.8-year life expectancy exceeds Chicot (69.8) and Cleveland (71.5) counties but falls short of Cleburne (75.3) and Craighead (74.4). The 9.6% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average, though most residents maintain coverage.

Primary care severely limited in this county

Clay County faces a significant access challenge with only 7 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in the region and well below even rural Arkansas norms of 40-60. Mental health support is equally scarce at 99 providers per 100,000, though residents may access care in nearby counties.

Coverage ensures access to regional care

With limited local providers, Clay County residents need insurance to access care in neighboring counties' health systems. Checking marketplace and Medicaid options ensures coverage is in place when seeking care outside the immediate county.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Clay County residents.

Compare Plans →

HealthMarkets

Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Arkansas.

Get a Quote →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Clay County, AR?
Clay County has a health score of 29/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #36 out of 75 counties in Arkansas (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Clay County?
Life expectancy in Clay County is 72.8 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Clay County above the state average.
How does Clay County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Clay County's health score of 29/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 72.8 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 9.6% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Clay County?
Key health factors for Clay County include: life expectancy (72.8 years), uninsured rate (9.6%), and primary care physician access (7:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 99:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Clay County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 29/100 ("Below Average"), Clay County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.8 years. 9.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Clay County?
Clay County's health score of 29/100 is below the Arkansas average of 29/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

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.