Otero County Health Data
Otero County, Colorado
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
25/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
71.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.0%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
71.9 yr
State avg 78.2 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.0%
State avg 9.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
70
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
441
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
25.6%
State avg 16.0%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
32.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 69.9 per 100K
Dentists
10.8
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
16.3
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 Otero County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 35.1% | 27.1% | 37.6% | 8.0 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 11.7% | 8.6% | 11.2% | 3.1 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.2% | 26.7% | 33.5% | 3.5 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 23.8% | 23.2% | 24.1% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.0% | 12.8% | 16.3% | 3.2 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 17.8% | 19.1% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.2% | 19.0% | 27.0% | 7.2 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 69.0% | 69.4% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 48.9% | 61.4% | 57.3% | 12.5 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 63.9% | 69.4% | 73.3% | 5.5 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Otero | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.2% | 17.3% | 18.6% | 1.9 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 35.8% | 31.7% | 37.3% | 4.1 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Otero 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
One-quarter of Otero County residents report poor or fair health
Health data brief for Otero County, Colorado.
Poor or fair health is reported by 25.6% of residents in Otero County, a figure significantly higher than the national average of 17%. Life expectancy is 71.9 years, which is shorter than the Colorado state mark of 78.2 years and the national average of 77 years. The mental health provider ratio is 441 per 100,000 residents, nearly double the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care providers are available at a rate of 70 per 100,000, matching the national median. The uninsured rate is 10.0%, which is close to the state figure of 9.7% and the national average of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Otero 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Otero County, CO?
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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.