Ness County Health Data

Ness County, Kansas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

33/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.1 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.5%

State avg 11.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

75

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Poor / Fair Health

18.1%

State avg 16.7%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

75.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 74.9 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

37.6

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 Ness County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureNessState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity36.1%38.9%37.6%2.8 pts better than state
Diabetes9.9%10.2%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure31.1%31.8%33.5%0.7 pts better than state
Depression21.5%21.8%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureNessState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.0%16.3%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking17.9%17.7%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity27.5%27.3%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureNessState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.7%74.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)60.7%61.1%57.3%near state average
Mammography (women 50–74)69.6%71.7%73.3%2.1 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureNessState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.4%17.7%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration36.3%35.6%37.3%0.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Ness County nationally on obesity.

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

Data Story

Ness County Life Expectancy Nearly Five Years Below National Average

Health data brief for Ness County, Kansas.

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

Life expectancy in Ness County is 72.1 years, a figure that is 4.9 years shorter than the national average of 77 and over three years below the Kansas average of 75.4. This longevity gap is the most distinctive data point for the county. The uninsured rate is 13.5%, exceeding both the state average of 11.5% and the national 10% rate. Primary care providers are present at a rate of 75 per 100,000, which is slightly higher than the national median of 70. Roughly 18.1% of residents report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. Data regarding mental health provider ratios for the county was not available for this reporting period. These figures are based on the latest available federal health data and population surveys. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Ness County, Kansas

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.

Grisell Memorial Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(785) 731-2231
210 South Vermont Avenue, Ransom, KS 67572
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

Ness County Hospital District #2

ER
Not rated by CMS
(785) 798-2291
312 Custer Street, Ness City, KS 67560
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

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 Ness County, KS?
Ness County has a health score of 33/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #98 out of 105 counties in Kansas (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 Ness County?
Life expectancy in Ness County is 72.1 years. The Kansas state average is 75.4 years, making Ness County below the state average.
How does Ness County health compare to the Kansas average?
Ness County's health score of 33/100 is below the Kansas average of 54/100. Life expectancy is 72.1 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.5% vs. 11.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Ness County?
Key health factors for Ness County include: life expectancy (72.1 years), uninsured rate (13.5%), and primary care physician access (75:1 (population to primary care physicians)). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Ness County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 33/100 ("Below Average"), Ness County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kansas. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.1 years. 13.5% 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 Ness County?
Ness County's health score of 33/100 is below the Kansas average of 54/100. The uninsured rate of 13.5% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. 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.