Wapello County Health Data

Wapello County, Iowa

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

54/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.5 yr

State avg 77.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.7%

State avg 5.7%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

57

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

176

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

19.8%

State avg 15.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

34.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 56.7 per 100K

Dentists

14.2

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

14.2

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 Wapello County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureWapelloState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity41.9%39.5%37.6%2.4 pts worse than state
Diabetes11.5%9.8%11.2%1.7 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure31.8%31.1%33.5%0.7 pts worse than state
Depression21.1%21.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureWapelloState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.3%16.2%16.3%2.1 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking20.3%22.5%17.8%2.2 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity29.6%25.1%27.0%4.5 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureWapelloState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.1%75.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)58.4%65.6%57.3%7.2 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)71.9%77.4%73.3%5.5 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureWapelloState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.3%17.8%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration38.4%33.7%37.3%4.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Wapello County nationally on dental visit (past year).

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

Data Story

Wapello County Life Expectancy Trails State and National Figures

Health data brief for Wapello County, Iowa.

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

Life expectancy in Wapello County is 74.5 years, nearly three years shorter than the Iowa state average of 77.7 years and trailing the national average of 77 years. This metric is the most distinct indicator for the county, where 19.8% of adults report being in poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. The county’s uninsured rate is 6.7%, which is higher than the statewide average of 5.7% but lower than the 10% national average. For healthcare services, the primary care provider ratio is 57 per 100,000 residents, below the national median of 70. Mental health provider availability stands at 176 per 100,000, which is lower than the national median of 250. These statistics are part of a broader data set on regional health outcomes and clinical care availability. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Wapello 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.

Ottumwa Regional Health Center

ER
2/5
(641) 682-7511
1001 E Pennsylvania, Ottumwa, IA 52501
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

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 Wapello County, IA?
Wapello County has a health score of 54/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #98 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 Wapello County?
Life expectancy in Wapello County is 74.5 years. The Iowa state average is 77.7 years, making Wapello County below the state average.
How does Wapello County health compare to the Iowa average?
Wapello County's health score of 54/100 is below the Iowa average of 78/100. Life expectancy is 74.5 years vs. the state average of 77.7 years. The uninsured rate is 6.7% vs. 5.7% statewide.
What health factors affect Wapello County?
Key health factors for Wapello County include: life expectancy (74.5 years), uninsured rate (6.7%), and primary care physician access (57:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 176:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Wapello County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 54/100 ("Below Average"), Wapello County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Iowa. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.5 years. 6.7% 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 Wapello County?
Wapello County's health score of 54/100 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.