Colusa County Health Data
Colusa County, California
Health Score
51/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
79.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.2 yr
State avg 78.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.8%
State avg 7.2%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
27
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
245
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Colusa County, California
Colusa's life expectancy is solid
Colusa County residents live an average of 79.2 years, exceeding the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 3.1 years and topping California's 78.5 state average. However, 24.0% report poor or fair health—the highest rate among comparable counties and well above the national average of 18%—revealing a paradox: longer lives with worse self-reported health. Colusa's population may face chronic conditions that don't immediately shorten life.
Long lives, poor health ratings
Colusa ranks above California's 78.5-year state average for life expectancy at 79.2 years, but its 24.0% poor/fair health rate is among the worst in the state. This disconnect suggests Colusa's population survives longer but with higher rates of chronic disease and disability. The county faces a quality-of-life challenge masked by longevity statistics.
Worst health outcomes nearby
Colusa's 24.0% poor/fair health rate far exceeds neighbors Calaveras (17.4%), Amador (16.3%), and even distant Butte (18.2%), making it the sickest-feeling population regionally. Its 79.2-year life expectancy is longest among immediate neighbors, creating the paradox that Colusa residents live longest but feel worst. This suggests chronic disease burden without mortality—possibly diabetes, obesity, or poverty-related illness.
Critical access gaps and high uninsurance
Colusa has only 27 primary care providers per 100,000—California's sparsest—and 9.8% uninsured rate—the highest among these counties and 36% above state average. Mental health providers are sparse at 245 per 100,000, compounding access barriers for a population struggling with chronic illness. Healthcare deserts in rural agricultural counties create cascading health crises.
Colusa needs coverage urgently
Nearly 1 in 10 Colusa residents lacks health insurance—a critical barrier in a county where nearly 1 in 4 reports poor health. Covered California and Medi-Cal offer free or low-cost plans; visit coveredca.com or call (888) 644-6650 for assistance in Spanish or English. Coverage is the first step toward managing chronic conditions and improving health outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.