Howard County Health Data

Howard County, Indiana

Health Score

49/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.0 yr

State avg 75.1 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.0%

State avg 8.4%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

55

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

236

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Howard County, Indiana

Howard County faces serious life expectancy gap

At 73.0 years, Howard County residents live roughly 6 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Just under 1 in 5 residents (19.2%) report poor or fair health, suggesting significant chronic disease burden despite relatively low uninsured rates.

One of Indiana's lowest life expectancies

Howard County's 73.0-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Indiana, falling 2.1 years below the state average of 75.1 years. The county's 7.0% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 8.4%, indicating that coverage gaps alone don't explain the health disparity.

Strong mental health resources, thin primary care

Howard County has an impressive 236 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—the highest among neighboring counties—but primary care is more limited at 55 per 100K, matching Huntington County but trailing Jackson County's 67 per 100K. This imbalance suggests residents may access psychiatry but struggle to find family medicine physicians.

Better insured, but health outcomes lag

Howard County's 7.0% uninsured rate is among Indiana's best, yet life expectancy is among the worst—pointing to deeper issues like poverty, education, or healthcare quality rather than just access. With 55 primary care providers per 100K, residents have moderate access, but limited preventive care infrastructure may be driving late-stage diagnoses.

Get insured and stay connected to care

Though Howard County's 7.0% uninsured rate is low, every uninsured resident counts—that's still roughly 1 in 14 people. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-800-MEDICARE, or check with your employer to lock in coverage and schedule preventive screenings with your primary care provider.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Howard County, IN?
Howard County has a health score of 49/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #52 out of 92 counties in Indiana (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 Howard County?
Life expectancy in Howard County is 73.0 years. The Indiana state average is 75.1 years, making Howard County below the state average.
How does Howard County health compare to the Indiana average?
Howard County's health score of 49/100 is below the Indiana average of 54/100. Life expectancy is 73.0 years vs. the state average of 75.1 years. The uninsured rate is 7.0% vs. 8.4% statewide.
What health factors affect Howard County?
Key health factors for Howard County include: life expectancy (73.0 years), uninsured rate (7.0%), and primary care physician access (55:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 236:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Howard County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 49/100 ("Below Average"), Howard County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Indiana. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.0 years. 7.0% 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 Howard County?
Howard County's health score of 49/100 is below the Indiana average of 54/100. 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.