Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Georgia
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
19/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
71.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
15.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
71.0 yr
State avg 73.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
15.3%
State avg 15.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
23
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
66
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
21.6%
State avg 21.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Dentists
2.3
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
4.6
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 | 40.3% | 38.6% | 37.6% | 1.7 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 12.5% | 13.3% | 11.2% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 36.0% | 37.7% | 33.5% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Depression | 22.9% | 21.1% | 24.1% | 1.8 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 18.0% | 17.4% | 16.3% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.3% | 15.3% | 17.8% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 30.6% | 30.1% | 27.0% | near state average |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.9% | 76.8% | 74.9% | 1.9 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 54.1% | 53.8% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 75.2% | 73.6% | 73.3% | 1.6 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.8% | 19.4% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 38.2% | 39.7% | 37.3% | 1.5 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on annual routine checkup.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Polk County Life Expectancy Six Years Below National Average
Health data brief for Polk County, Georgia.
The life expectancy in Polk County is 71.0 years, which is six years shorter than the national average of 77 years and lower than the Georgia state average of 73.3 years. Access to medical providers also varies from national norms, with 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents compared to a national median of 70. Mental health providers are available at a rate of 66 per 100,000, while the national median is 250. The uninsured rate is 15.3%, exceeding the state average of 15.0% and the national average of 10%. Additionally, 21.6% of residents report poor or fair health, a rate that is higher than the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk County, Georgia
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 →Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Polk County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Georgia.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Polk County, GA?
What is the life expectancy in Polk County?
How does Polk County health compare to the Georgia average?
What health factors affect Polk County?
Is Polk County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Polk County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.