Benton County Health Data

Benton County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

88/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

79.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

79.2 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.5%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

20

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

50

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.6%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Dentists

3.9

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

7.8

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 Benton County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBentonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.6%39.5%37.6%1.1 pts worse than state
Diabetes8.6%9.8%11.2%1.2 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure30.1%31.1%33.5%1.0 pts better than state
Depression21.3%21.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBentonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.2%16.2%16.3%1.0 pts better than state
Binge Drinking23.4%22.5%17.8%0.9 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity22.1%25.1%27.0%3.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBentonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.6%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)66.6%65.6%57.3%1.0 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)82.0%77.4%73.3%4.6 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBentonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.2%17.8%18.6%0.6 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration34.7%33.7%37.3%1.0 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Benton County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Primary Care Provider Ratio Low in Benton County

Health data brief for Benton County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Benton County has a primary care provider ratio of 20 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. On other health measures, the county reports a life expectancy of 79.2 years, which is higher than the Iowa average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 4.5%, lower than the state average of 5.7% and the national average of 10%. There are 50 mental health providers per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Approximately 15.6% of residents report poor or fair health, which is lower than the national average of 17%. These figures highlight differences between local health resources and national medians. Further details are available in the CDC County Health Rankings.

Get Care in Benton County, Iowa

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.

Virginia Gay Hospital

ER
4/5
(319) 472-6200
502 North 9th Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Benton County residents.

Compare Plans →

HealthMarkets

Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Iowa.

Get a Quote →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Benton County, IA?
Benton County has a health score of 88/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #23 out of 99 counties in Iowa (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 Benton County?
Life expectancy in Benton County is 79.2 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Benton County above the state average.
How does Benton County health compare to the Iowa average?
Benton County's health score of 88/100 is above the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 79.2 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 4.5% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Benton County?
Key health factors for Benton County include: life expectancy (79.2 years), uninsured rate (4.5%), and primary care physician access (20:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 50:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Benton County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 88/100 ("Excellent"), Benton County is one of the healthier counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.2 years. 4.5% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Benton County healthier than the Iowa average?
Benton County's health score of 88/100 exceeds the Iowa average of 78/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Benton County has better primary care access (20:1 ratio) than the state average (54:1).

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.