Cottonwood County Health Data

Cottonwood County, Minnesota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

74/100

Average

Life Expectancy

78.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.3 yr

State avg 78.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.1%

State avg 6.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

61

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

141

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

16.8%

State avg 14.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

34.9

per 100K residentsCDC: 60.5 per 100K

Dentists

26.2

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 Cottonwood County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureCottonwoodState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.8%37.0%37.6%2.8 pts worse than state
Diabetes10.2%9.3%11.2%0.9 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure30.1%28.6%33.5%1.5 pts worse than state
Depression25.1%25.3%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureCottonwoodState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.7%15.7%16.3%1.0 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking19.7%20.3%17.8%0.6 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity27.6%24.1%27.0%3.5 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureCottonwoodState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup71.7%72.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)60.7%64.7%57.3%4.0 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)77.2%77.1%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureCottonwoodState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.1%17.0%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration33.5%31.5%37.3%2.0 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Cottonwood 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

Cottonwood County Mental Health Provider Ratio Trails National Median

Health data brief for Cottonwood County, Minnesota.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Cottonwood County recorded a mental health provider ratio of 141 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. In terms of clinical outcomes, residents report a poor or fair health rate of 16.8%, nearly matching the national figure of 17%. The county’s life expectancy stands at 78.3 years, slightly shorter than the Minnesota state average of 78.7 years but longer than the national average of 77 years. Additionally, the uninsured rate in the county is 7.1%. This rate is higher than the state average of 6.0% but remains lower than the national average of 10%. Regarding medical services, there are 61 primary care providers per 100,000 people, which is closer to the national median of 70 than the mental health provider metric. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Cottonwood County, Minnesota

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.

Sanford Westbrook Medical Center

ER
Not rated by CMS
(507) 274-1119
920 Bell Avenue Po Box 188, Westbrook, MN 56183
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Windom Area Health

ER
Not rated by CMS
(507) 831-2400
2150 Hospital Drive, Po Box 339, Windom, MN 56101
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Local

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 Cottonwood County, MN?
Cottonwood County has a health score of 74/100, rated "Average." It ranks #75 out of 87 counties in Minnesota (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 Cottonwood County?
Life expectancy in Cottonwood County is 78.3 years. The Minnesota state average is 78.7 years, making Cottonwood County below the state average.
How does Cottonwood County health compare to the Minnesota average?
Cottonwood County's health score of 74/100 is below the Minnesota average of 83/100. Life expectancy is 78.3 years vs. the state average of 78.7 years. The uninsured rate is 7.1% vs. 6.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Cottonwood County?
Key health factors for Cottonwood County include: life expectancy (78.3 years), uninsured rate (7.1%), and primary care physician access (61:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 141:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Cottonwood County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 74/100 ("Average"), Cottonwood County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Minnesota. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.3 years. 7.1% 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 Cottonwood County?
Cottonwood County's health score of 74/100 is below the Minnesota average of 83/100. 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.