Shelby County Health Data
Shelby County, Iowa
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
82/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
78.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
6.0%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
78.3 yr
State avg 77.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
6.0%
State avg 5.7%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
51
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
153
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
15.5%
State avg 15.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
25.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 51.0 per 100K
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
8.5
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 Shelby County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.1% | 39.5% | 37.6% | 1.4 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.3% | 9.8% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.8% | 31.1% | 33.5% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Depression | 21.6% | 21.5% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.9% | 16.2% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 23.2% | 22.5% | 17.8% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.4% | 25.1% | 27.0% | 0.7 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 75.1% | 75.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 66.4% | 65.6% | 57.3% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.7% | 77.4% | 73.3% | 2.7 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.7% | 17.8% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 32.1% | 33.7% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Shelby 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
Shelby County Health Status Rate Differentiates Local Data Profile
Health data brief for Shelby County, Iowa.
Shelby County reports a poor or fair health rate of 15.5%, which is more favorable than the national average of 17%. While health self-reporting varies, this figure is a key indicator for the region. The county’s life expectancy stands at 78.3 years, which is higher than the Iowa average of 77.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Clinical access includes 51 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. Additionally, the mental health provider ratio is 153 per 100,000, compared to a national median of 250. The uninsured rate for the county is 6.0%, which is slightly higher than the Iowa state average of 5.7% but remains significantly lower than the national 10% average. These data points provide an overview of the documented health status and access within the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Shelby 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 →Myrtue Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Shelby County, IA?
What is the life expectancy in Shelby County?
How does Shelby County health compare to the Iowa average?
What health factors affect Shelby County?
Is Shelby County a healthy place to live?
Why is Shelby 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.