Kern County Health Data
Kern County, California
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
39/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
State avg 78.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.7%
State avg 7.2%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
48
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
254
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
25.5%
State avg 18.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
8.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 47.8 per 100K
Dentists
3.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
4.4
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 Kern County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Kern | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 36.2% | 30.0% | 37.6% | 6.2 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 13.3% | 10.3% | 11.2% | 3.0 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.2% | 29.3% | 33.5% | 2.9 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 22.6% | 22.7% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Kern | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.7% | 12.6% | 16.3% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.7% | 17.6% | 17.8% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 32.1% | 24.1% | 27.0% | 8.0 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Kern | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 70.9% | 70.0% | 74.9% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 52.1% | 61.3% | 57.3% | 9.2 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 72.9% | 74.3% | 73.3% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Kern | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.9% | 18.3% | 18.6% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 38.7% | 35.3% | 37.3% | 3.4 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Kern 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
Kern County Life Expectancy Trails State and National Averages
Health data brief for Kern County, California.
Kern County reports a life expectancy of 74.2 years, which is significantly lower than the California average of 78.5 and the national average of 77. The primary care provider ratio is 48 per 100,000 residents, falling below the national median of 70. There are 254 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which nearly matches the national median of 250. Approximately 25.5% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, a rate higher than the national figure of 17%. The uninsured rate is 7.7%, slightly exceeding the California average of 7.2% but remaining lower than the national average of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Kern County, California
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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
ERMercy Hospital
ERAdventist Health Bakersfield
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Kern County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Kern County, CA?
What is the life expectancy in Kern County?
How does Kern County health compare to the California average?
What health factors affect Kern County?
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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.