Ford County Health Data

Ford County, Illinois

Health Score

62/100

Average

Life Expectancy

74.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.3 yr

State avg 76.0 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

State avg 6.3%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

52

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

528

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Ford County, Illinois

Life expectancy trails national average

Ford County residents have a life expectancy of 74.3 years, falling 2.1 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. About 17% report poor or fair health, signaling widespread chronic conditions affecting quality of life.

Among Illinois's lower-performing counties

Ford County's 74.3-year life expectancy lags Illinois's state average of 76.0 years by 1.7 years. The 6.6% uninsured rate sits near the state average, but health outcomes suggest barriers beyond insurance alone.

Lower outcomes than surrounding areas

Ford County's 74.3-year life expectancy trails Effingham County (77.4) and Fayette County (77.0), reflecting deeper health challenges in the region. The county does offer strong mental health capacity at 528 providers per 100K, an outlier in the region.

Limited primary care, strong behavioral health

Ford County has just 52 primary care providers per 100K residents, below most peers, yet boasts 528 mental health providers per 100K—far exceeding state norms. The mismatch suggests access challenges for routine medical care despite robust psychiatric support.

Get insured, get preventive care

With lower life expectancy, Ford residents benefit from securing insurance and prioritizing annual checkups. Visit Healthcare.gov or call your nearest community health center to explore plans and preventive services.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Ford County, IL?
Ford County has a health score of 62/100, rated "Average." It ranks #61 out of 102 counties in Illinois (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 Ford County?
Life expectancy in Ford County is 74.3 years. The Illinois state average is 76.0 years, making Ford County below the state average.
How does Ford County health compare to the Illinois average?
Ford County's health score of 62/100 is below the Illinois average of 66/100. Life expectancy is 74.3 years vs. the state average of 76.0 years. The uninsured rate is 6.6% vs. 6.3% statewide.
What health factors affect Ford County?
Key health factors for Ford County include: life expectancy (74.3 years), uninsured rate (6.6%), and primary care physician access (52:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 528:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Ford County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 62/100 ("Average"), Ford County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Illinois. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.3 years. 6.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Ford County?
Ford County's health score of 62/100 is below the Illinois average of 66/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.