Palo Alto County Health Data
Palo Alto County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
82/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
76.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.7 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.1%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
45
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
125
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.7%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
44.9
per 100K residentsCDC: 44.9 per 100K
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
11.2
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 Palo Alto County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Palo Alto | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 40.6% | 39.5% | 37.6% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 9.4% | 9.8% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.9% | 31.1% | 33.5% | near state average |
| Depression | 21.5% | 21.5% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Palo Alto | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.9% | 16.2% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 23.1% | 22.5% | 17.8% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.9% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 1.2 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Palo Alto | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 75.1% | 75.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 67.3% | 65.6% | 57.3% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 78.3% | 77.4% | 73.3% | 0.9 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Palo Alto | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.7% | 17.8% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.7% | 33.7% | 37.3% | near state average |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Palo Alto 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
Palo Alto Mental Health Provider Rate Lower Than National Median
Health data brief for Palo Alto County, Iowa.
Palo Alto County has 125 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is half of the national median of 250 per 100,000. This data point stands out among other health metrics, such as the primary care provider ratio of 45 per 100,000, which is also lower than the national median of 70. The county reports an uninsured rate of 5.1%, which is lower than the Iowa state average of 5.7% and nearly half of the 10% national average. Life expectancy for residents is 76.7 years, which is shorter than the state average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Furthermore, 14.7% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, a rate lower than the 17% national average. These statistics provide a snapshot of the county's health landscape relative to state and federal norms. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Palo Alto 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Palo Alto County Hospital
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Palo Alto County, IA?
What is the life expectancy in Palo Alto County?
How does Palo Alto County health compare to the Iowa average?
What health factors affect Palo Alto County?
Is Palo Alto County a healthy place to live?
Why is Palo Alto County healthier than the Iowa average?
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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.