Independence County Health Data

Independence County, Arkansas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

30/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.4 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.8%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

77

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

185

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

25.6%

State avg 25.3%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

2.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 76.9 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

5.2

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 Independence County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureIndependenceState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity42.0%41.1%37.6%0.9 pts worse than state
Diabetes11.4%12.4%11.2%1.0 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure37.2%39.6%33.5%2.4 pts better than state
Depression27.0%25.9%24.1%1.1 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureIndependenceState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking17.8%18.7%16.3%0.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking16.3%15.6%17.8%0.7 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity34.1%34.3%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureIndependenceState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup76.6%77.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)48.9%49.6%57.3%0.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)67.0%70.1%73.3%3.1 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureIndependenceState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.5%20.7%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration40.8%41.1%37.3%near state average

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Independence County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Primary Care Availability Stronger in Independence County

Health data brief for Independence County, Arkansas.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Independence County has 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a rate that is higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. The county’s life expectancy is 73.4 years, which exceeds the state average of 72.3 years but is lower than the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 9.8%, slightly lower than the state average of 9.9% and the national average of 10%. Residents report poor or fair health at a rate of 25.6%, which is higher than the national rate of 17%. Mental health provider availability is 185 per 100,000, falling below the national median of 250 per 100,000. These figures are reported verbatim from federal and state health datasets without causal interpretation. Explore state-level health data.

Get Care in Independence County, Arkansas

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.

White River Medical Center

ER
3/5
(870) 262-1200
1710 Harrison Street, Batesville, AR 72503
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Independence County, AR?
Independence County has a health score of 30/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #29 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 Independence County?
Life expectancy in Independence County is 73.4 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Independence County above the state average.
How does Independence County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Independence County's health score of 30/100 is above the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 73.4 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 9.8% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Independence County?
Key health factors for Independence County include: life expectancy (73.4 years), uninsured rate (9.8%), and primary care physician access (77:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 185:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Independence County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 30/100 ("Below Average"), Independence County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.4 years. 9.8% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Independence County healthier than the Arkansas average?
Independence 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

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.