Sierra County Health Data

Sierra County, California

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

81/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

81.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

81.3 yr

State avg 78.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.3%

State avg 7.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Mental Health Providers

250

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.3%

State avg 18.9%

National avg 19.6%

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 Sierra County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureSierraState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity32.4%30.0%37.6%2.4 pts worse than state
Diabetes10.1%10.3%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure30.8%29.3%33.5%1.5 pts worse than state
Depression26.0%22.7%24.1%3.3 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureSierraState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.6%12.6%16.3%3.0 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking18.6%17.6%17.8%1.0 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.0%24.1%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureSierraState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup69.5%70.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)62.2%61.3%57.3%0.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)77.3%74.3%73.3%3.0 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureSierraState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.4%18.3%18.6%2.1 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration35.0%35.3%37.3%near state average

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Sierra County nationally on depression.

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

Data Story

Sierra County Uninsured Rate Is Lower Than State Levels

Health data brief for Sierra County, California.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

The uninsured rate in Sierra County is 6.3%. This is lower than the California state rate of 7.2% and the national rate of 10%. Life expectancy for residents is 81.3 years, which is higher than the state average of 78.5 years and the national average of 77 years. Approximately 17.3% of residents report their health as poor or fair, which is close to the national mark of 17%. Data for primary care providers per 100,000 residents is not available. The mental health provider ratio is 250 per 100,000 residents, which matches the national median exactly. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Sierra 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

No CMS Care Compare hospital is located in Sierra County.

This is common in low-population rural counties. Residents typically travel to a hospital in a neighboring county or larger metro. Use Medicare.gov Care Compare to find rated hospitals statewide or contact a federally-funded community health center for primary and preventive care.

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 Sierra County, CA?
Sierra County has a health score of 81/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #15 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 Sierra County?
Life expectancy in Sierra County is 81.3 years. The California state average is 78.5 years, making Sierra County above the state average.
How does Sierra County health compare to the California average?
Sierra County's health score of 81/100 is above the California average of 67/100. Life expectancy is 81.3 years vs. the state average of 78.5 years. The uninsured rate is 6.3% vs. 7.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Sierra County?
Key health factors for Sierra County include: life expectancy (81.3 years), uninsured rate (6.3%), and primary care physician access (—). Mental health provider access is 250:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Sierra County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 81/100 ("Excellent"), Sierra County is one of the healthier counties in California. Residents have a life expectancy of 81.3 years. 6.3% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Sierra County healthier than the California average?
Sierra County's health score of 81/100 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.

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.