Mills County Health Data

Mills County, Iowa

Health Score

80/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

76.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.4 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.2%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

55

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

89

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Mills County, Iowa

Mills County life expectancy lags slightly

At 76.4 years, Mills County residents live about 1.3 years less than the U.S. average of 77.7 years. The county's poor or fair health rate of 15.7% is slightly better than the national average, suggesting most residents experience manageable health outcomes despite the longevity gap.

Below Iowa average, but improving

Mills County's 76.4-year life expectancy falls 1.3 years short of Iowa's 77.7-year state average, placing it in the lower half of Iowa counties for longevity. However, the 15.7% poor/fair health rate is competitive within the state, indicating room for targeted wellness improvements.

Outperforms some southern Iowa peers

Mills County edges out Monona County (75.0 years) and Monroe County (75.3 years) in life expectancy, though it trails Mitchell County's impressive 79.3 years. The county's 15.7% poor/fair health rate is among the better in its region, suggesting effective primary care access.

Strong insurance coverage, steady care access

Only 4.2% of Mills County residents lack health insurance—well below Iowa's 5.7% average—meaning most people have regular access to preventive care. The county offers 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 89 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting both routine and mental health needs.

Check your coverage today

With 4.2% uninsured, Mills County has strong baseline coverage, but individual circumstances vary. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your county health department to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer options—ensuring everyone has a path to care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Mills County, IA?
Mills County has a health score of 80/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #52 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 Mills County?
Life expectancy in Mills County is 76.4 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Mills County below the state average.
How does Mills County health compare to the Iowa average?
Mills County's health score of 80/100 is above the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 76.4 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 4.2% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Mills County?
Key health factors for Mills County include: life expectancy (76.4 years), uninsured rate (4.2%), and primary care physician access (55:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 89:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Mills County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 80/100 ("Excellent"), Mills County is one of the healthier counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.4 years. 4.2% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Mills County healthier than the Iowa average?
Mills County's health score of 80/100 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.

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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.