Cass County Health Data

Cass County, Iowa

Health Score

64/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.2 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

46

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

457

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Cass County, Iowa

Cass County faces significant health challenges

At 76.2 years, Cass County residents' life expectancy falls short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years by 2.7 years—the largest gap among the counties studied. With 18.6% reporting poor or fair health compared to the national 15.1%, Cass faces concentrated health challenges affecting longevity and daily wellness.

Iowa's lowest life expectancy in this study

Cass County's 76.2-year life expectancy ranks lowest among the eight counties studied and trails Iowa's 77.7-year average by 1.5 years. The 18.6% poor/fair health rate suggests residents face significant chronic disease burdens and limited access to preventive care quality.

Wellness gap widens versus surrounding counties

Cass's 76.2-year life expectancy stands roughly 3 years below Bremer (79.7) and nearly 3 years below Cedar (79.1), marking it as an outlier in the region. The 18.6% poor/fair health rate exceeds all neighbors, indicating concentrated health vulnerabilities requiring targeted intervention.

Mental health resources abundant, but access barriers loom

Paradoxically, Cass County offers 457 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—by far the highest in this study—yet residents struggle with poor overall health. The 6.6% uninsured rate and broader health challenges suggest barriers beyond provider availability: possibly affordability, transportation, or health literacy gaps.

Break the health cycle with coverage

Cass County's 6.6% uninsured rate compounds the county's health crisis—coverage alone won't solve all challenges, but it removes a critical barrier. Healthcare.gov and Iowa Medicaid provide pathways to the abundant mental health services and primary care that could help reverse Cass County's longevity gap.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Cass County, IA?
Cass County has a health score of 64/100, rated "Average." It ranks #90 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 Cass County?
Life expectancy in Cass County is 76.2 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Cass County below the state average.
How does Cass County health compare to the Iowa average?
Cass County's health score of 64/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 76.2 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 6.6% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Cass County?
Key health factors for Cass County include: life expectancy (76.2 years), uninsured rate (6.6%), and primary care physician access (46:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 457:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Cass County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 64/100 ("Average"), Cass County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.2 years. 6.6% 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 Cass County?
Cass County's health score of 64/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.