Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Florida
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
36/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
76.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
14.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.1 yr
State avg 75.8 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
14.7%
State avg 14.4%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
46
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
123
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
21.7%
State avg 19.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
15.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 46.1 per 100K
Dentists
1.7
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
9.9
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 Polk County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 40.6% | 34.8% | 37.6% | 5.8 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 11.8% | 11.4% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.4% | 33.2% | 33.5% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| Depression | 19.8% | 19.3% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.8% | 15.5% | 16.3% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.6% | 17.0% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.9% | 26.2% | 27.0% | 1.7 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 75.3% | 75.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 51.2% | 53.5% | 57.3% | 2.3 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 71.1% | 73.1% | 73.3% | 2.0 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.8% | 18.8% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 43.8% | 39.4% | 37.3% | 4.4 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
One in Five Polk County Residents Reports Poor Health
Health data brief for Polk County, Florida.
In Polk County, 21.7% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a higher percentage than the national average of 17%. The county’s primary care provider ratio is 46 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. Similarly, the mental health provider ratio is 123 per 100,000, less than half of the national median of 250. The uninsured rate stands at 14.7%, slightly higher than the Florida average of 14.4% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in Polk County is 76.1 years, which is longer than the state average of 75.8 years but shorter than the national average of 77 years. These statistics are provided by the CDC and the U.S. Census Bureau to highlight differences in insurance and health outcomes. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology for details.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk County, Florida
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 →Winter Haven Hospital
ERBartow Regional Medical Center
ERAdventhealth Heart of Florida
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Polk County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Polk County, FL?
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How does Polk County health compare to the Florida average?
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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.