Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
76/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
77.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.2 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.5%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
93
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
351
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.0%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
18.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 93.2 per 100K
Dentists
5.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
10.1
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 Polk County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 36.9% | 39.5% | 37.6% | 2.6 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.6% | 9.8% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.1% | 31.1% | 33.5% | 1.0 pts better than state |
| Depression | 21.7% | 21.5% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 13.3% | 16.2% | 16.3% | 2.9 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 21.3% | 22.5% | 17.8% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.5% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 1.6 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.8% | 75.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 64.0% | 65.6% | 57.3% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 77.5% | 77.4% | 73.3% | near state average |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.4% | 17.8% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 35.3% | 33.7% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on current cigarette smoking.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Polk County Mental Health Provider Ratio Higher Than National Median
Health data brief for Polk County, Iowa.
Polk County has 351 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a rate that is higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The county also exceeds the national primary care median, with 93 providers per 100,000 residents compared to the national figure of 70. Despite these provider ratios, the life expectancy in Polk County is 77.2 years, which is lower than the state average of 77.7 years but just higher than the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 5.5%, which is lower than the Iowa average of 5.7% and significantly lower than the 10% national average. About 17.0% of residents report poor or fair health, matching the national average of 17%. These statistics describe the current state of health resources and population health in Iowa's most populous county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk 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 →Va Central Iowa Healthcare System
ERUnitypoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medi
ERBroadlawns Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Polk County residents.
Compare Plans →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Polk County, IA?
What is the life expectancy in Polk County?
How does Polk County health compare to the Iowa average?
What health factors affect Polk County?
Is Polk County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Polk County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.