Cherokee County Health Data
Cherokee County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth 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
Poor / Fair Health
16.0%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
17.3
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 Cherokee County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 41.0% | 39.5% | 37.6% | 1.5 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 10.2% | 9.8% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.1% | 31.1% | 33.5% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 22.1% | 21.5% | 24.1% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 17.2% | 16.2% | 16.3% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 21.7% | 22.5% | 17.8% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 27.4% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 2.3 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 75.0% | 75.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 64.2% | 65.6% | 57.3% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 75.8% | 77.4% | 73.3% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Cherokee | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.3% | 17.8% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 32.2% | 33.7% | 37.3% | 1.5 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Cherokee County nationally on physical inactivity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Mental Health Provider Availability Trailing in Cherokee County
Health data brief for Cherokee County, Iowa.
Cherokee County has 138 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care provider availability is also lower than national benchmarks, with 52 providers per 100,000 compared to the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 77.9 years, slightly higher than the Iowa state figure of 77.7 years and the national mark of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 5.4%, lower than the Iowa state average of 5.7% and the national average of 10%. Survey data indicates that 16.0% of residents report poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Cherokee 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Cherokee Regional Medical Center
ERMental Health Institute
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Cherokee County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Cherokee County, IA?
What is the life expectancy in Cherokee County?
How does Cherokee County health compare to the Iowa average?
What health factors affect Cherokee County?
Is Cherokee County a healthy place to live?
Why is Cherokee County healthier than the Iowa average?
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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.