St. Joseph County Health Data

St. Joseph County, Michigan

Health Score

49/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.9 yr

State avg 76.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.7%

State avg 6.4%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

28

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

207

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in St. Joseph County, Michigan

St. Joseph County Faces Significant Health Gaps

At 74.9 years, St. Joseph County residents live about 4.1 years less than the U.S. average of 79 years. The 21.2% poor/fair health rate is the highest in this dataset and well above the national average of 15%, indicating widespread health challenges. St. Joseph emerges as one of Michigan's most health-stressed counties.

St. Joseph Among Michigan's Poorest Health Outcomes

St. Joseph's life expectancy of 74.9 years is 1.4 years below Michigan's state average of 76.3 years, and its 21.2% poor/fair health rate is significantly higher than the state norm. The county ranks in the bottom tier of Michigan health rankings. Urgent action is needed to address root causes of poor health.

St. Joseph Severely Limited in Provider Access

With just 28 primary care providers per 100K, St. Joseph has the lowest primary care density in this group—even below Sanilac (32) and Tuscola (30). Mental health providers at 207 per 100K are also below regional averages. This scarcity compounds barriers for a population already facing significant health challenges.

Highest Uninsured Rate, Fewest Providers

St. Joseph's 7.7% uninsured rate is the highest among these eight counties and 1.3 percentage points above Michigan's average of 6.4%. With only 28 primary care providers and 207 mental health providers per 100K, the uninsured face near-total care barriers. This combination—high uninsurance plus severe provider shortage—creates a health crisis.

St. Joseph: Coverage Is the First Step

If you're among St. Joseph's 7.7% uninsured, getting covered is urgent and affordable through Medicaid or ACA plans with subsidies. Call 1-800-867-9272 or visit Michigan.gov/HealthInsurance today. Once insured, connect with the county's limited providers early and explore telemedicine options to bridge the rural access gap.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of St. Joseph County, MI?
St. Joseph County has a health score of 49/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #80 out of 83 counties in Michigan (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 St. Joseph County?
Life expectancy in St. Joseph County is 74.9 years. The Michigan state average is 76.3 years, making St. Joseph County below the state average.
How does St. Joseph County health compare to the Michigan average?
St. Joseph County's health score of 49/100 is below the Michigan average of 69/100. Life expectancy is 74.9 years vs. the state average of 76.3 years. The uninsured rate is 7.7% vs. 6.4% statewide.
What health factors affect St. Joseph County?
Key health factors for St. Joseph County include: life expectancy (74.9 years), uninsured rate (7.7%), and primary care physician access (28:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 207:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is St. Joseph County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 49/100 ("Below Average"), St. Joseph County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Michigan. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.9 years. 7.7% 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 St. Joseph County?
St. Joseph County's health score of 49/100 is below the Michigan average of 69/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.