Decatur County Health Data

Decatur County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

71/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.0 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

26

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

274

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.0%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Dentists

13.0

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

13.0

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 Decatur County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDecaturState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity41.7%39.5%37.6%2.2 pts worse than state
Diabetes10.6%9.8%11.2%0.8 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure31.6%31.1%33.5%near state average
Depression22.4%21.5%24.1%0.9 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDecaturState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.0%16.2%16.3%1.8 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking21.4%22.5%17.8%1.1 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity26.8%25.1%27.0%1.7 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDecaturState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.1%75.1%74.9%1.0 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)62.6%65.6%57.3%3.0 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.4%77.4%73.3%4.0 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDecaturState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%17.8%18.6%0.8 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration34.2%33.7%37.3%near state average

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Decatur County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

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

Data Story

Decatur County Primary Care Ratios Trail National Median

Health data brief for Decatur County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Decatur County records 26 primary care providers for every 100,000 people, which is lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. The county has a life expectancy of 76.0 years, which is shorter than the Iowa state average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Meanwhile, the mental health provider ratio is 274 per 100,000, exceeding the national median of 250 per 100,000. The uninsured rate for the county is 5.8%, which is similar to the state average of 5.7% and lower than the national average of 10%. Additionally, 17.0% of residents report poor or fair health, exactly matching the national median of 17%. These statistics provide a snapshot of the clinical resources and health outcomes across the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Decatur 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.

Decatur County Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(641) 446-4871
1405 Nw Church Street, Leon, IA 50144
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Local

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 Decatur County, IA?
Decatur County has a health score of 71/100, rated "Average." It ranks #74 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 Decatur County?
Life expectancy in Decatur County is 76.0 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Decatur County below the state average.
How does Decatur County health compare to the Iowa average?
Decatur County's health score of 71/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 76.0 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 5.8% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Decatur County?
Key health factors for Decatur County include: life expectancy (76.0 years), uninsured rate (5.8%), and primary care physician access (26:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 274:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Decatur County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 71/100 ("Average"), Decatur County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.0 years. 5.8% 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 Decatur County?
Decatur County's health score of 71/100 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.