Lucas County Health Data

Lucas County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

69/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.0 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

103

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

114

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

18.2%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

23.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 103.3 per 100K

Dentists

11.5

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 Lucas County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureLucasState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.8%39.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes10.6%9.8%11.2%0.8 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure32.5%31.1%33.5%1.4 pts worse than state
Depression22.6%21.5%24.1%1.1 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureLucasState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.9%16.2%16.3%2.7 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking21.9%22.5%17.8%0.6 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity26.9%25.1%27.0%1.8 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureLucasState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.9%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)61.9%65.6%57.3%3.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)80.8%77.4%73.3%3.4 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureLucasState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.0%17.8%18.6%1.2 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration34.8%33.7%37.3%1.1 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Lucas 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

Lucas County Residents Report Higher Rates of Poor Health

Health data brief for Lucas County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

In Lucas County, 18.2% of adults report being in poor or fair health, a rate that is higher than the national average of 17%. Other local metrics include 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. The county’s uninsured rate is 5.4%, slightly lower than the state average of 5.7% and nearly half the national average of 10%. Lucas County has 103 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. However, its mental health provider ratio is 114 per 100,000, which is lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Lucas 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.

Lucas County Health Center

ER
Not rated by CMS
(641) 774-3000
1200 North 7th Street, Chariton, IA 50049
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Other

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 Lucas County, IA?
Lucas County has a health score of 69/100, rated "Average." It ranks #79 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 Lucas County?
Life expectancy in Lucas County is 76.0 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Lucas County below the state average.
How does Lucas County health compare to the Iowa average?
Lucas County's health score of 69/100 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 5.4% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Lucas County?
Key health factors for Lucas County include: life expectancy (76.0 years), uninsured rate (5.4%), and primary care physician access (103:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 114:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lucas County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 69/100 ("Average"), Lucas County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.0 years. 5.4% 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 Lucas County?
Lucas County's health score of 69/100 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.