St. Louis County Health Data

St. Louis County, Minnesota

Health Score

80/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

76.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.8 yr

State avg 78.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.8%

State avg 6.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

124

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

373

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in St. Louis County, Minnesota

St. Louis County faces longevity challenges

At 76.8 years, St. Louis County's life expectancy falls 3.5 years below the U.S. average of 80.3 years—the lowest among comparison counties and a substantial gap. The 14.7% poor or fair health rate sits below the national average of 15%, yet the county's dramatically lower life expectancy suggests acute health challenges beyond general health perception. These metrics indicate St. Louis faces serious population health crises.

Lowest life expectancy among Minnesota counties

St. Louis County's 76.8-year life expectancy ranks lowest in the state comparison group and trails Minnesota's 78.7-year average by 1.9 years. The 5.8% uninsured rate approximates the state average, indicating coverage isn't the primary barrier—structural health challenges run deeper. This gap suggests St. Louis requires targeted public health intervention.

St. Louis lags peers despite strong provider density

St. Louis's 76.8-year life expectancy significantly trails all comparison counties—even Roseau (77.0 years) exceeds it, suggesting distinct underlying health crises. Paradoxically, St. Louis leads all counties in primary care provider density at 124 per 100,000 residents and in mental health providers at 373 per 100K—the highest by far. This suggests provider abundance alone cannot overcome community health determinants.

Abundant providers, but acute health challenges persist

St. Louis County operates 124 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—significantly more than any comparison county—yet life expectancy remains the lowest statewide. Mental health services at 373 providers per 100K represent extraordinary capacity, yet behavioral health challenges persist. These facts suggest social determinants, substance use, or other structural factors override provider availability.

Access St. Louis County's extensive healthcare network

St. Louis County's providers—despite health challenges—represent vital resources for managing conditions and extending life expectancy. Ensure active health insurance to access this extensive network at Minnesota's highest provider density. Visit MNsure.org to verify coverage and explore options that connect you to St. Louis's abundant healthcare resources.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for St. Louis County residents.

Compare Plans →

HealthMarkets

Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Minnesota.

Get a Quote →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of St. Louis County, MN?
St. Louis County has a health score of 80/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #57 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 St. Louis County?
Life expectancy in St. Louis County is 76.8 years. The Minnesota state average is 78.7 years, making St. Louis County below the state average.
How does St. Louis County health compare to the Minnesota average?
St. Louis County's health score of 80/100 is below the Minnesota average of 83/100. Life expectancy is 76.8 years vs. the state average of 78.7 years. The uninsured rate is 5.8% vs. 6.0% statewide.
What health factors affect St. Louis County?
Key health factors for St. Louis County include: life expectancy (76.8 years), uninsured rate (5.8%), and primary care physician access (124:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 373:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is St. Louis County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 80/100 ("Excellent"), St. Louis County is one of the healthier counties in Minnesota. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.8 years. 5.8% 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. Louis County?
St. Louis County's health score of 80/100 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

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.