Columbia County Health Data

Columbia County, Arkansas

Health Score

30/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.5 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.8%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

62

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

203

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Columbia County, Arkansas

Columbia's life expectancy trails U.S. norms

Columbia County's 71.5-year life expectancy falls 4.9 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, consistent with rural Arkansas disparities. The county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17%, though it ranks better than several neighboring counties.

Slightly below Arkansas average overall

At 71.5 years, Columbia's life expectancy lags Arkansas's 72.3-year average by 0.8 years, placing it in the state's lower-middle tier. The 23.8% poor/fair health rate is better than state and county averages, suggesting pockets of health resilience.

Mixed results against regional peers

Columbia matches Cleveland County at 71.5 years but trails Cleburne (75.3), Craighead (74.4), and Conway (73.1) counties. The 8.8% uninsured rate is slightly below the state average of 9.9%, indicating solid coverage relative to peers.

Moderate primary and mental health capacity

Columbia offers 62 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—solid for a rural county—and 203 mental health providers per 100,000. The 8.8% uninsured rate means most residents can access these services without major cost barriers.

Coverage supports access to local care

Columbia's good insurance rate (91.2%) enables use of the county's primary care infrastructure. The 8.8% without coverage should check marketplace plans or Medicaid to ensure continuous access to the providers available locally.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Columbia 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 Columbia County, AR?
Columbia County has a health score of 30/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #30 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 Columbia County?
Life expectancy in Columbia County is 71.5 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Columbia County below the state average.
How does Columbia County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Columbia County's health score of 30/100 is above the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.5 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 8.8% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Columbia County?
Key health factors for Columbia County include: life expectancy (71.5 years), uninsured rate (8.8%), and primary care physician access (62:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 203:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Columbia County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 30/100 ("Below Average"), Columbia County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.5 years. 8.8% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Columbia County healthier than the Arkansas average?
Columbia County's health score of 30/100 exceeds the Arkansas average of 29/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

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.