Butler County Health Data
Butler County, Iowa
Health Score
91/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
79.6 yr
Uninsured Rate
4.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.6 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
4.8%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
14
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
42
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Butler County, Iowa
Butler County edges past national health benchmarks
Butler County's life expectancy of 79.6 years surpasses the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing residents among America's longer-lived populations. The 14.4% poor/fair health rate sits below the national 15.1%, indicating good overall disease management and preventive health practices.
Strong longevity, tight provider access
Butler County's 79.6-year life expectancy beats Iowa's 77.7-year state average by nearly 2 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest. However, the county faces a critical challenge: just 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest rate among Iowa counties studied—strains capacity despite good health outcomes.
Provider shortage outpaces regional averages
With only 14 primary care providers per 100,000, Butler County falls far behind Bremer (48), Carroll (87), and Buena Vista (53), creating a significant access bottleneck. Life expectancy remains strong at 79.6, but the thin provider network suggests residents may travel for specialized care or face longer wait times.
Insurance coverage strong, but access is tight
Only 4.8% of Butler County residents lack health insurance—below the state average of 5.7%—meaning most have coverage access to the limited providers available. Mental health services are equally strained, with just 42 providers per 100,000 residents, potentially creating waitlists for behavioral health care.
Secure coverage despite tight provider network
Butler County's low uninsured rate of 4.8% shows strong insurance uptake, but coverage is only useful with accessible providers—confirm your plan covers services available locally or nearby. If uninsured, Healthcare.gov and Iowa Medicaid ensure you're protected while communities work to expand provider capacity.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.