Black Hawk County Health Data

Black Hawk County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

74/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.7 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.2%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

95

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

258

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.5%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

23.7

per 100K residentsCDC: 95.1 per 100K

Dentists

12.2

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

18.4

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 Black Hawk County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBlack HawkState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity42.0%39.5%37.6%2.5 pts worse than state
Diabetes10.8%9.8%11.2%1.0 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure32.4%31.1%33.5%1.3 pts worse than state
Depression21.6%21.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBlack HawkState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.9%16.2%16.3%0.7 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking22.0%22.5%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity23.5%25.1%27.0%1.6 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBlack HawkState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.8%75.1%74.9%2.7 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)63.4%65.6%57.3%2.2 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)78.2%77.4%73.3%0.8 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBlack HawkState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.2%17.8%18.6%0.6 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration36.0%33.7%37.3%2.3 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Black Hawk County nationally on annual routine checkup.

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

Data Story

Black Hawk County Mental Health Access Surpasses National Median

Health data brief for Black Hawk County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Black Hawk County has 258 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The primary care provider ratio is 95 per 100,000, also higher than the national median of 70. However, the county’s life expectancy is 76.7 years, which is lower than the Iowa average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. The rate of residents reporting poor or fair health is 17.5%, which is slightly higher than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate is 5.2%, which is lower than the state average of 5.7% and the national average of 10%. These data points offer a look at the health environment and resource availability in the area. Explore state-level health data for more context.

Get Care in Black Hawk 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.

Mercyone Waterloo Medical Center

ER
4/5
(319) 272-8000
3421 West Ninth Street, Waterloo, IA 50702
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Church

Allen Hospital

ER
3/5
(319) 235-3941
1825 Logan Avenue, Waterloo, IA 50703
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sartori Memorial Hospital, Inc

ER
Not rated by CMS
(319) 268-3000
515 College Street, Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Church

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Black Hawk County, IA?
Black Hawk County has a health score of 74/100, rated "Average." It ranks #68 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 Black Hawk County?
Life expectancy in Black Hawk County is 76.7 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Black Hawk County below the state average.
How does Black Hawk County health compare to the Iowa average?
Black Hawk County's health score of 74/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 76.7 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 5.2% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Black Hawk County?
Key health factors for Black Hawk County include: life expectancy (76.7 years), uninsured rate (5.2%), and primary care physician access (95:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 258:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Black Hawk County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 74/100 ("Average"), Black Hawk County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.7 years. 5.2% 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 Black Hawk County?
Black Hawk County's health score of 74/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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.