La Plata County Health Data

La Plata County, Colorado

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

78/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

80.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

80.3 yr

State avg 78.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.4%

State avg 9.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

132

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

557

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

12.1%

State avg 16.0%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

16.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 131.6 per 100K

Dentists

7.1

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

23.2

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 La Plata County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureLa PlataState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity20.8%27.1%37.6%6.3 pts better than state
Diabetes7.5%8.6%11.2%1.1 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure24.3%26.7%33.5%2.4 pts better than state
Depression22.9%23.2%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureLa PlataState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking11.9%12.8%16.3%0.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking20.8%19.1%17.8%1.7 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity15.3%19.0%27.0%3.7 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureLa PlataState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup70.0%69.4%74.9%0.6 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)68.1%61.4%57.3%6.7 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)71.3%69.4%73.3%1.9 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureLa PlataState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.9%17.3%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration28.3%31.7%37.3%3.4 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare La Plata 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

High mental health provider ratio in La Plata County

Health data brief for La Plata County, Colorado.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

La Plata County has 557 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure more than double the national 250 median. This metric distinguishes the county within the state of Colorado. Other data shows a life expectancy of 80.3 years, which is longer than the 78.2-year state average and the 77-year national average. The percentage of adults reporting poor or fair health is 12.1%, which is lower than the 17% national average. In terms of insurance coverage, the uninsured rate is 10.4%, which is slightly higher than the Colorado state average of 9.7% and close to the 10% national average. There are 132 primary care providers per 100,000 people, exceeding the national 70 median. All provider data is derived from the HHS National Plan and Provider Enumeration System. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in La Plata County, Colorado

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.

Mercy Regional Medical Center

ER
5/5
(970) 247-4311
1010 Three Springs Blvd, Durango, CO 81301
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Church

Animas Surgical Hospital, Llc

ER
Not rated by CMS
(970) 247-3537
575 Rivergate Ln, Unit 100, Durango, CO 81301
Acute Care HospitalsPhysician

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 La Plata County, CO?
La Plata County has a health score of 78/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #19 out of 64 counties in Colorado (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 La Plata County?
Life expectancy in La Plata County is 80.3 years. The Colorado state average is 78.2 years, making La Plata County above the state average.
How does La Plata County health compare to the Colorado average?
La Plata County's health score of 78/100 is above the Colorado average of 63/100. Life expectancy is 80.3 years vs. the state average of 78.2 years. The uninsured rate is 10.4% vs. 9.7% statewide.
What health factors affect La Plata County?
Key health factors for La Plata County include: life expectancy (80.3 years), uninsured rate (10.4%), and primary care physician access (132:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 557:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is La Plata County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 78/100 ("Excellent"), La Plata County is one of the healthier counties in Colorado. Residents have a life expectancy of 80.3 years. 10.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is La Plata County healthier than the Colorado average?
La Plata County's health score of 78/100 exceeds the Colorado average of 63/100. 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.