Nelson County Health Data
Nelson County, Kentucky
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 2025Health Score
64/100
Average
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.4%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
State avg 72.2 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.4%
State avg 7.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
53
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
155
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.5%
State avg 23.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
12.7
per 100K residentsCDC: 53.1 per 100K
Dentists
12.7
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
10.6
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 Nelson County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Nelson | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | — | — | 37.6% | — |
| Diabetes | — | — | 11.2% | — |
| High Blood Pressure | — | — | 33.5% | — |
| Depression | — | — | 24.1% | — |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Nelson | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | — | — | 16.3% | — |
| Binge Drinking | — | — | 17.8% | — |
| Physical Inactivity | — | — | 27.0% | — |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Nelson | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | — | — | 74.9% | — |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 62.9% | 53.9% | 57.3% | 9.0 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 76.4% | 71.3% | 73.3% | 5.1 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Nelson | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | — | — | 18.6% | — |
| Short Sleep Duration | 38.1% | 41.7% | 37.3% | 3.6 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Nelson County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES 2022–2023 measure years · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Source vintage: CDC PLACES 2022–2023 measure years.
Compare nationally
Compare reporting counties
Selected local estimates are unavailable for Nelson County. You can still use these national ranking pages to compare reporting counties with published estimates.
Data Story
Nelson County reports lower uninsured rate than state and national figures
Health data brief for Nelson County, Kentucky.
By HealthByCounty Editorial Team
Page revised
In Nelson County, 5.4% of residents lack health insurance, a rate lower than both the Kentucky average of 7.0% and the national average of 10%. Health data also shows 17.5% of residents report poor or fair health, aligning closely with the national average of 17%. The county has 53 primary care providers per 100,000 people and 155 mental health providers per 100,000, both of which are lower than the national medians of 70 and 250, respectively. Life expectancy in the county is 74.2 years. While this exceeds the state average of 72.2 years, it remains lower than the national average of 77 years. Explore state-level data.
Get Care in Nelson County, Kentucky
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 →Chi Saint Joseph Flaget Memorial Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Nelson County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Kentucky.
Get a Quote →Independent third-party services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Nelson County, KY?
What is the life expectancy in Nelson County?
How does Nelson County health compare to the Kentucky average?
What health factors affect Nelson County?
Is Nelson County a healthy place to live?
Why is Nelson County healthier than the Kentucky average?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
By HealthByCounty Editorial Team
Page revised
Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 2025, published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation .
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.