Pulaski County Health Data

Pulaski County, Arkansas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

43/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

State avg 72.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.0%

State avg 9.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

118

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

528

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

20.2%

State avg 25.3%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

35.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 117.9 per 100K

Dentists

9.3

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

11.3

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 Pulaski County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePulaskiState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.6%41.1%37.6%near state average
Diabetes11.5%12.4%11.2%0.9 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure39.5%39.6%33.5%near state average
Depression23.6%25.9%24.1%2.3 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePulaskiState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking13.6%18.7%16.3%5.1 pts better than state
Binge Drinking15.2%15.6%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity28.4%34.3%27.0%5.9 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePulaskiState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup79.5%77.0%74.9%2.5 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)58.4%49.6%57.3%8.8 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.6%70.1%73.3%4.5 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePulaskiState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.3%20.7%18.6%2.4 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration39.2%41.1%37.3%1.9 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Pulaski County nationally on dental visit (past year).

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

Data Story

Pulaski County Mental Health Provider Ratio Doubles National Median

Health data brief for Pulaski County, Arkansas.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Pulaski County has 528 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents. This is more than double the national median of 250 providers. Primary care access is also higher than national norms, with 118 providers per 100,000 people compared to the national median of 70. Life expectancy for county residents is 73.8 years, which is longer than the state average of 72.3 years but shorter than the national average of 77 years. About 9.0% of the population is uninsured, which is lower than the state rate of 9.9% and the national rate of 10%. However, 20.2% of adults report poor or fair health, a higher percentage than the 17% national average. These statistics are drawn from current health provider and demographic datasets. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Pulaski 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.

St Vincent Medical Center/north

ER
4/5
(501) 552-7100
2215 Wildwood Avenue, Sherwood, AR 72120
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Church

Chi-st Vincent Infirmary

ER
3/5
(501) 552-3000
Two St Vincent Circle, Little Rock, AR 72205
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Baptist Health Medical Center-little Rock

ER
3/5
(501) 202-2000
9601 Baptist Health Drive, Little Rock, AR 72205
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 Pulaski County, AR?
Pulaski County has a health score of 43/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #6 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 Pulaski County?
Life expectancy in Pulaski County is 73.8 years. The Arkansas state average is 72.3 years, making Pulaski County above the state average.
How does Pulaski County health compare to the Arkansas average?
Pulaski County's health score of 43/100 is above the Arkansas average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 73.8 years vs. the state average of 72.3 years. The uninsured rate is 9.0% vs. 9.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Pulaski County?
Key health factors for Pulaski County include: life expectancy (73.8 years), uninsured rate (9.0%), and primary care physician access (118:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 528:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Pulaski County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 43/100 ("Below Average"), Pulaski County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Arkansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.8 years. 9.0% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Pulaski County healthier than the Arkansas average?
Pulaski County's health score of 43/100 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.