Plymouth County Health Data

Plymouth County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

89/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

79.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

79.0 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.6%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

55

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

198

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

14.8%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

7.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 54.6 per 100K

Dentists

15.6

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

11.7

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 Plymouth County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePlymouthState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.4%39.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes9.0%9.8%11.2%0.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure29.7%31.1%33.5%1.4 pts better than state
Depression20.0%21.5%24.1%1.5 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePlymouthState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.9%16.2%16.3%1.3 pts better than state
Binge Drinking23.7%22.5%17.8%1.2 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity23.1%25.1%27.0%2.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePlymouthState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.8%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)67.0%65.6%57.3%1.4 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)79.8%77.4%73.3%2.4 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePlymouthState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.9%17.8%18.6%0.9 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration32.8%33.7%37.3%0.9 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Plymouth County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

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

Data Story

Plymouth County Uninsured Rate Is Lower Than National Levels

Health data brief for Plymouth County, Iowa.

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

Plymouth County reports an uninsured rate of 4.6%, a figure lower than the Iowa state average of 5.7% and less than half of the 10% national average. This metric is accompanied by a life expectancy of 79.0 years, which is longer than both the state average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. In terms of healthcare access, the county has 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. The mental health provider ratio is 198 per 100,000, also sitting lower than the national median of 250. Approximately 14.8% of residents report being in poor or fair health, which is lower than the national benchmark of 17%. These data points illustrate the distribution of health coverage and outcomes within the county compared to broader trends. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Plymouth 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.

Floyd Valley Healthcare

ER
3/5
(712) 546-7871
714 Lincoln St Ne, Le Mars, IA 51031
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 Plymouth County, IA?
Plymouth County has a health score of 89/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #19 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 Plymouth County?
Life expectancy in Plymouth County is 79.0 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Plymouth County above the state average.
How does Plymouth County health compare to the Iowa average?
Plymouth County's health score of 89/100 is above the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 79.0 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 4.6% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Plymouth County?
Key health factors for Plymouth County include: life expectancy (79.0 years), uninsured rate (4.6%), and primary care physician access (55:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 198:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Plymouth County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 89/100 ("Excellent"), Plymouth County is one of the healthier counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.0 years. 4.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Plymouth County healthier than the Iowa average?
Plymouth County's health score of 89/100 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.

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.