Pottawattamie County Health Data

Pottawattamie County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

69/100

Average

Life Expectancy

75.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.5 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.7%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

45

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

242

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.0%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

8.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 45.0 per 100K

Dentists

1.1

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

6.4

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 Pottawattamie County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePottawattamieState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.2%39.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes9.7%9.8%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure30.8%31.1%33.5%near state average
Depression22.8%21.5%24.1%1.3 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePottawattamieState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking17.4%16.2%16.3%1.2 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking22.7%22.5%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity26.2%25.1%27.0%1.1 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePottawattamieState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.8%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)62.2%65.6%57.3%3.4 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.0%77.4%73.3%3.4 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePottawattamieState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.3%17.8%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration35.5%33.7%37.3%1.8 pts worse than state

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

Life Expectancy in Pottawattamie County Shorter Than State Average

Health data brief for Pottawattamie County, Iowa.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Pottawattamie County is 75.5 years, which is more than two years shorter than the Iowa state average of 77.7 years and lower than the national average of 77 years. This health outcome occurs alongside a primary care provider ratio of 45 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. The county's mental health provider ratio is 242 per 100,000, nearly matching the national median of 250. The uninsured rate is 5.7%, exactly matching the state average and remaining lower than the 10% national average. Additionally, 17.0% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, which aligns with the national average of 17%. These figures are reported from federal and state health data sources to provide a geographic comparison of health metrics. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Pottawattamie 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.

Chi Health Mercy Council Bluffs

ER
5/5
(712) 328-5000
800 Mercy Drive, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Methodist Jennie Edmundson

ER
3/5
(712) 396-6000
933 East Pierce Street, Council Bluffs, IA 51503
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Pottawattamie County, IA?
Pottawattamie County has a health score of 69/100, rated "Average." It ranks #78 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 Pottawattamie County?
Life expectancy in Pottawattamie County is 75.5 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Pottawattamie County below the state average.
How does Pottawattamie County health compare to the Iowa average?
Pottawattamie County's health score of 69/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 75.5 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 5.7% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Pottawattamie County?
Key health factors for Pottawattamie County include: life expectancy (75.5 years), uninsured rate (5.7%), and primary care physician access (45:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 242:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Pottawattamie County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 69/100 ("Average"), Pottawattamie County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.5 years. 5.7% 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 Pottawattamie County?
Pottawattamie County's health score of 69/100 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.