Guthrie County Health Data

Guthrie County, Iowa

Health Score

86/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

78.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.8 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.0%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

28

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

28

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Guthrie County, Iowa

Life expectancy above U.S. average

Guthrie County residents live an average of 78.8 years, 1.9 years above the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing the county among America's healthier communities. With 14.5% of adults reporting poor or fair health—well below national norms—residents enjoy both longevity and strong perceived wellness. This combination suggests effective management of chronic disease and robust preventive care.

Exceeds Iowa average by over a year

Guthrie County's 78.8-year life expectancy surpasses Iowa's 77.7-year state average by 1.1 years, ranking it among the state's healthiest counties. The 14.5% poor/fair health rate also outperforms the state, indicating residents enjoy healthier lives by multiple measures. This performance reflects advantageous health factors or healthcare investments that warrant recognition and replication.

Second-best life expectancy in region

At 78.8 years, Guthrie County trails only Grundy County (79.3 years) in regional life expectancy, outperforming all other neighbors by at least 1.6 years. Its 14.5% poor/fair health rate also ranks among the region's best, positioning Guthrie as a consistent performer in health outcomes. The county's sustained advantage suggests replicable factors worth studying for regional improvement.

Adequate providers, slightly higher uninsured rate

Guthrie County has 28 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, providing reasonable access for routine care, though mental health resources (28 per 100K) are more limited. The 6.0% uninsured rate is slightly above the state average, meaning about 1 in 20 residents lack insurance—a proportion worth addressing to ensure all can access the county's care network.

Fill the coverage gap in your community

With a 6.0% uninsured rate, Guthrie County has room to improve—check if you or someone you know is unprotected and help them enroll in Healthcare.gov or Iowa Medicaid. Full coverage for everyone strengthens community health and ensures Guthrie's strong outcomes extend to all residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Guthrie County, IA?
Guthrie County has a health score of 86/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #26 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 Guthrie County?
Life expectancy in Guthrie County is 78.8 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Guthrie County above the state average.
How does Guthrie County health compare to the Iowa average?
Guthrie County's health score of 86/100 is above the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 78.8 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 6.0% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Guthrie County?
Key health factors for Guthrie County include: life expectancy (78.8 years), uninsured rate (6.0%), and primary care physician access (28:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 28:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Guthrie County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 86/100 ("Excellent"), Guthrie County is one of the healthier counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.8 years. 6.0% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Guthrie County healthier than the Iowa average?
Guthrie County's health score of 86/100 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. Guthrie County has better primary care access (28:1 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.