Cherokee County Health Data

Cherokee County, Iowa

Health Score

82/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

77.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.9 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.4%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

52

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

138

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Cherokee County, Iowa

Above-average life expectancy

Cherokee County residents live to 77.9 years on average, outpacing the U.S. average of 78.3 years by only a small margin. The county's 16.0% poor or fair health rate sits just above the national average of 15%, indicating generally solid health outcomes.

Beating the Iowa average

At 77.9 years, Cherokee County's life expectancy exceeds Iowa's state average of 77.7 years, ranking it among Iowa's healthier counties. This modest advantage reflects the county's relative health stability compared to its neighbors.

Provider access gaps in rural area

Cherokee County has 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 138 mental health providers per 100K—well below regional leaders like Cerro Gordo. Rural residents may need to travel to larger nearby towns for specialized mental health services.

Uninsured rates slightly higher than state

About 5.4% of Cherokee residents lack health insurance, slightly above Iowa's 5.7% average, meaning a small but meaningful portion faces barriers to regular care. Limited mental health providers compared to other counties could create wait times for counseling or psychiatric services.

Make insurance coverage a priority

Cherokee residents without coverage should check Healthcare.gov or contact Iowa Medicaid to secure affordable plans. Insurance ensures you can access the limited mental health providers available without bearing the full cost yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Cherokee County, IA?
Cherokee County has a health score of 82/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #45 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 Cherokee County?
Life expectancy in Cherokee County is 77.9 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Cherokee County above the state average.
How does Cherokee County health compare to the Iowa average?
Cherokee County's health score of 82/100 is above the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 77.9 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 5.4% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Cherokee County?
Key health factors for Cherokee County include: life expectancy (77.9 years), uninsured rate (5.4%), and primary care physician access (52:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 138:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Cherokee County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 82/100 ("Excellent"), Cherokee County is one of the healthier counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.9 years. 5.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Cherokee County healthier than the Iowa average?
Cherokee County's health score of 82/100 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. Cherokee County has better primary care access (52:1 ratio) than the state average (54:1).

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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.