Pocahontas County Health Data

Pocahontas County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

72/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.4 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

28

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

14

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

14.3%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

14.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 28.3 per 100K

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 Pocahontas County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity36.7%39.5%37.6%2.8 pts better than state
Diabetes9.8%9.8%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure30.6%31.1%33.5%near state average
Depression21.4%21.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.7%16.2%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking22.4%22.5%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity25.9%25.1%27.0%0.8 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.1%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)67.9%65.6%57.3%2.3 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)80.7%77.4%73.3%3.3 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.1%17.8%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration33.9%33.7%37.3%near state average

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

Mental Health Provider Ratio in Pocahontas County Below National Benchmarks

Health data brief for Pocahontas County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Pocahontas County records 14 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure significantly lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The primary care provider ratio is also lower than the national figure, at 28 per 100,000 compared to the national median of 70. The county’s uninsured rate stands at 7.8%, which is higher than the Iowa state average of 5.7% but remains lower than the 10% national average. Life expectancy is 76.4 years, which is shorter than the state average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Meanwhile, 14.3% of residents report poor or fair health, which is lower than the national average of 17%. These figures provide a statistical overview of the county’s health resources and resident health status without implying specific reasons for the data. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Pocahontas 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.

Pocahontas Community Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(712) 335-3501
606 N W 7th Street, Pocahontas, IA 50574
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 Pocahontas County, IA?
Pocahontas County has a health score of 72/100, rated "Average." It ranks #72 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 Pocahontas County?
Life expectancy in Pocahontas County is 76.4 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Pocahontas County below the state average.
How does Pocahontas County health compare to the Iowa average?
Pocahontas County's health score of 72/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 76.4 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 7.8% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Pocahontas County?
Key health factors for Pocahontas County include: life expectancy (76.4 years), uninsured rate (7.8%), and primary care physician access (28:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 14:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Pocahontas County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 72/100 ("Average"), Pocahontas County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.4 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 Pocahontas County?
Pocahontas County's health score of 72/100 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.