Calaveras County Health Data

Calaveras County, California

Health Score

74/100

Average

Life Expectancy

78.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.8 yr

State avg 78.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.9%

State avg 7.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

39

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

232

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Calaveras County, California

Calaveras exceeds national average

Calaveras County residents live an average of 78.8 years, surpassing the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 2.7 years and slightly above California's 78.5 state average. A 17.4% poor/fair health rate is better than the national average of 18%, indicating solid health outcomes for a rural county. Calaveras punches above its weight for a small, mountain-based community.

Slightly above state baseline

With a 78.8-year life expectancy, Calaveras edges above California's state average of 78.5 years, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Its 17.4% poor/fair health rate is below the state median, signaling relatively good health outcomes. Calaveras demonstrates that rural counties can achieve health parity with the state average.

Healthier than immediate peers

Calaveras' 78.8-year life expectancy outpaces Amador (78.5 years) and matches the Sierra Nevada regional pattern, while its 17.4% poor/fair health rate is better than Amador (16.3%) and Colusa (24.0%). The county's mountain setting offers some health advantages—outdoor recreation and community cohesion—despite limited primary care. Calaveras competes favorably with comparable rural regions.

Thin primary care, sparse mental health

Calaveras has only 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among California's sparsest—forcing patients to travel for routine care. Mental health providers are also limited at 232 per 100,000, leaving gaps in behavioral health access. The 6.9% uninsured rate slightly exceeds California's 7.2% average, adding complexity to healthcare access.

Secure coverage for Calaveras

Nearly 1 in 14 Calaveras residents lacks health insurance; year-round enrollment through Covered California and Medi-Cal can close this gap. Visit coveredca.com or contact Calaveras County's Human Services Agency for enrollment assistance. Even rural residents can access comprehensive coverage with the right support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Calaveras County, CA?
Calaveras County has a health score of 74/100, rated "Average." It ranks #23 out of 58 counties in California (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 Calaveras County?
Life expectancy in Calaveras County is 78.8 years. The California state average is 78.5 years, making Calaveras County above the state average.
How does Calaveras County health compare to the California average?
Calaveras County's health score of 74/100 is above the California average of 67/100. Life expectancy is 78.8 years vs. the state average of 78.5 years. The uninsured rate is 6.9% vs. 7.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Calaveras County?
Key health factors for Calaveras County include: life expectancy (78.8 years), uninsured rate (6.9%), and primary care physician access (39:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 232:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Calaveras County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 74/100 ("Average"), Calaveras County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in California. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.8 years. 6.9% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Calaveras County healthier than the California average?
Calaveras County's health score of 74/100 exceeds the California average of 67/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Calaveras County has better primary care access (39:1 ratio) than the state average (69:1).

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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.