The Midwest is often stereotyped as the nation's heartland — but it is also home to some of the healthiest counties in America. From the lake shores of Minnesota to the plains of Nebraska, Midwestern counties consistently rank well on health outcomes, insurance coverage, and provider access.
We filtered CDC health data to the 12 Midwestern states and identified the top 25 healthiest counties in the region. These counties combine strong community institutions, accessible healthcare, and active lifestyles that produce exceptional health outcomes.
Healthiest Counties in the Midwest
Carver County, MN is the healthiest county in the Midwest with a health score of 99.1. Minnesota (8 counties), Wisconsin (6 counties), Iowa (4 counties), Michigan (4 counties), Ohio (1 counties) lead the regional rankings.
| Rank | County | State | Health Score | Life Expectancy | Uninsured Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Carver County | MN | 99.1 | 82.33 | 3.26% |
| 2 | Dallas County | IA | 98.8 | 81.88 | 3.79% |
| 3 | Washington County | MN | 98.6 | 81.28 | 3.95% |
| 4 | Winneshiek County | IA | 98.2 | 81.8 | 4.16% |
| 5 | Dodge County | MN | 97.9 | 81.21 | 4.33% |
| 6 | Delaware County | OH | 97.8 | 81.12 | 4.04% |
| 7 | Ozaukee County | WI | 97.7 | 81.04 | 4.1% |
| 8 | Olmsted County | MN | 97.5 | 80.99 | 4.15% |
| 9 | Dakota County | MN | 97.2 | 80.91 | 4.45% |
| 10 | Hamilton County | IN | 97.1 | 80.65 | 4.55% |
| 11 | Waukesha County | WI | 96.8 | 80.34 | 3.9% |
| 12 | Calumet County | WI | 96.5 | 81.22 | 4.19% |
| 13 | Wabasha County | MN | 96.1 | 80.81 | 4.7% |
| 14 | Clinton County | MI | 96 | 79.86 | 4.41% |
| 15 | Livingston County | MI | 95.8 | 79.68 | 3.81% |
| 16 | Wright County | MN | 95.8 | 80 | 4.35% |
| 17 | Monroe County | IL | 95.7 | 79.62 | 3.83% |
| 18 | Story County | IA | 95.7 | 81.51 | 4.63% |
| 19 | Washtenaw County | MI | 95.6 | 80.48 | 4.29% |
| 20 | Dane County | WI | 95.4 | 80.77 | 4.56% |
| 21 | St. Croix County | WI | 95.4 | 79.76 | 4.79% |
| 22 | Scott County | MN | 95.3 | 81.08 | 4.4% |
| 23 | Johnson County | IA | 95.2 | 81.95 | 5.02% |
| 24 | Ottawa County | MI | 94.8 | 80.08 | 4.63% |
| 25 | Washington County | WI | 94.8 | 79.56 | 4.34% |
What Makes the Midwest Healthy
Several regional characteristics contribute to strong health outcomes across the Midwest:
- Strong community health systems: Many Midwestern counties have long-standing hospital systems and community health networks that provide accessible care.
- Medicaid expansion: Most Midwestern states expanded Medicaid, reducing uninsured rates and improving access to preventive care.
- Lower cost of living: Affordable housing and lower healthcare costs reduce financial stress and improve health outcomes.
- Active outdoor culture: Despite harsh winters, Midwesterners embrace outdoor activities year-round, from summer cycling to winter cross-country skiing.
- Social cohesion: Smaller communities in the Midwest often have strong social networks that support mental health and healthy behaviors.
Methodology
Midwest region includes Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Health scores use CDC County Health Rankings (2024) percentile-rank methodology on a 0-100 scale. Counties with insufficient data are excluded.
Data sources: CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps (2024), a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation program, and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2019-2023). All figures are estimates and may differ from other published analyses due to methodology differences. This content is informational only and does not constitute medical advice.