Jefferson County Health Data

Jefferson County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

67/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.8%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

77

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

220

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.0%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

6.4

per 100K residentsCDC: 76.7 per 100K

Dentists

19.1

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

6.4

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 Jefferson County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureJeffersonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.7%39.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes10.1%9.8%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure31.9%31.1%33.5%0.8 pts worse than state
Depression20.3%21.5%24.1%1.2 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureJeffersonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.8%16.2%16.3%1.4 pts better than state
Binge Drinking20.4%22.5%17.8%2.1 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity24.1%25.1%27.0%1.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureJeffersonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.7%75.1%74.9%0.6 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)62.8%65.6%57.3%2.8 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)78.4%77.4%73.3%1.0 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureJeffersonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.4%17.8%18.6%1.4 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration34.4%33.7%37.3%0.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Jefferson County nationally on dental visit (past year).

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

Data Story

Jefferson County Uninsured Rate Rises Above Iowa State Average

Health data brief for Jefferson County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

In Jefferson County, the uninsured rate stands at 7.8%, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 5.7%, though still below the national average of 10%. The county reports 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a figure that exceeds the national median of 70. However, the density of mental health providers is 220 per 100,000, which is lower than the national median of 250. Life expectancy in the county is 77.1 years, falling below the Iowa average of 77.7 years and just above the national average of 77 years. Approximately 17.0% of adults in the county report being in poor or fair health, matching the national average exactly. These data points provide a snapshot of the health landscape in the region as recorded in federal surveys. Explore Iowa state-level data for more information.

Get Care in Jefferson 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.

Jefferson County Health Center

ER
2/5
(641) 472-4111
2000 S Main, Fairfield, IA 52556
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 Jefferson County, IA?
Jefferson County has a health score of 67/100, rated "Average." It ranks #85 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 Jefferson County?
Life expectancy in Jefferson County is 77.1 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Jefferson County below the state average.
How does Jefferson County health compare to the Iowa average?
Jefferson County's health score of 67/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 77.1 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 7.8% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Jefferson County?
Key health factors for Jefferson County include: life expectancy (77.1 years), uninsured rate (7.8%), and primary care physician access (77:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 220:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Jefferson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 67/100 ("Average"), Jefferson County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.1 years. 7.8% 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 Jefferson County?
Jefferson County's health score of 67/100 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.