Shelby County Health Data

Shelby County, Illinois

Health Score

69/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

State avg 76.0 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.7%

State avg 6.3%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

24

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

49

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Shelby County, Illinois

Shelby Exceeds National Life Expectancy

Shelby County's 77.1-year life expectancy tops the U.S. average of 76.1 years by a full year, suggesting superior health outcomes. However, a 19.4% poor or fair health rate indicates pockets of health vulnerability despite the county's longevity advantage.

Illinois's Longest-Living County

Shelby County's 77.1-year life expectancy leads Illinois, outpacing the state average of 76.0 years substantially. At 5.7% uninsured, the county sits slightly below the state average, supporting broad healthcare access.

Longevity Leader with Modest Provider Access

Shelby County's 77.1-year life expectancy significantly exceeds all regional neighbors, including Sangamon (76.8 years) and Rock Island (76.4 years). However, the county's 24 primary care providers per 100K and 49 mental health providers per 100K represent the lowest provider densities in the group, a notable gap.

High Life Expectancy Masks Access Challenges

With 5.7% of residents uninsured, Shelby County has strong coverage, yet its 24 primary care providers per 100K is the lowest in this group—one-fifth of Sangamon's density. This mismatch suggests residents may travel for specialist care despite strong insurance coverage.

Maintain Coverage in Shelby County

Nearly 95% of Shelby residents have health insurance—keep your coverage active by confirming enrollment at healthcare.gov. Though primary care options are limited locally, your insurance opens access to regional specialists and ensures preventive care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Shelby County, IL?
Shelby County has a health score of 69/100, rated "Average." It ranks #42 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 Shelby County?
Life expectancy in Shelby County is 77.1 years. The Illinois state average is 76.0 years, making Shelby County above the state average.
How does Shelby County health compare to the Illinois average?
Shelby County's health score of 69/100 is above the Illinois average of 66/100. Life expectancy is 77.1 years vs. the state average of 76.0 years. The uninsured rate is 5.7% vs. 6.3% statewide.
What health factors affect Shelby County?
Key health factors for Shelby County include: life expectancy (77.1 years), uninsured rate (5.7%), and primary care physician access (24:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 49:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Shelby County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 69/100 ("Average"), Shelby County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Illinois. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.1 years. 5.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Shelby County healthier than the Illinois average?
Shelby County's health score of 69/100 exceeds the Illinois average of 66/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Shelby County has better primary care access (24:1 ratio) than the state average (47:1).

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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.