Stearns County Health Data

Stearns County, Minnesota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

87/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

80.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

80.0 yr

State avg 78.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

5.2%

State avg 6.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

98

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

426

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

16.0%

State avg 14.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

18.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 97.5 per 100K

Dentists

3.1

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

12.6

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 Stearns County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureStearnsState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.4%37.0%37.6%near state average
Diabetes9.4%9.3%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure28.7%28.6%33.5%near state average
Depression25.5%25.3%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureStearnsState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.1%15.7%16.3%0.6 pts better than state
Binge Drinking19.6%20.3%17.8%0.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity23.0%24.1%27.0%1.1 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureStearnsState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.3%72.0%74.9%1.3 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)66.7%64.7%57.3%2.0 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)78.0%77.1%73.3%0.9 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureStearnsState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.0%17.0%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration31.3%31.5%37.3%near state average

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

Stearns County Mental Health Provider Density Surpasses National Median

Health data brief for Stearns County, Minnesota.

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

Stearns County reports 426 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a concentration significantly higher than the national median of 250. This figure represents a denser network of mental health specialists compared to many surrounding regions. In other clinical metrics, the county has 98 primary care providers per 100,000 people, which is more than the national median of 70. Regarding health outcomes, the life expectancy for residents is 80.0 years, exceeding the Minnesota state average of 78.7 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 5.2%, lower than the state average of 6.0% and the national average of 10%. Additionally, 16.0% of adults report being in poor or fair health, which is just under the national average of 17%. These figures are derived from federal provider registries and health surveys. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Stearns 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.

St Cloud Hospital

ER
4/5
(320) 255-5661
1406 6th Ave North, Saint Cloud, MN 56303
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

St Cloud Va Medical Center

Not rated by CMS
(320) 252-1670
4801 Veterans Drive, St. Cloud, MN 56303
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationVeterans Health Administration

Centracare Health System - Melrose Hospital

5/5
(320) 256-1805
525 West Main Street, Melrose, MN 56352
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Stearns County, MN?
Stearns County has a health score of 87/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #38 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 Stearns County?
Life expectancy in Stearns County is 80.0 years. The Minnesota state average is 78.7 years, making Stearns County above the state average.
How does Stearns County health compare to the Minnesota average?
Stearns County's health score of 87/100 is above the Minnesota average of 83/100. Life expectancy is 80.0 years vs. the state average of 78.7 years. The uninsured rate is 5.2% vs. 6.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Stearns County?
Key health factors for Stearns County include: life expectancy (80.0 years), uninsured rate (5.2%), and primary care physician access (98:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 426:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Stearns County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 87/100 ("Excellent"), Stearns County is one of the healthier counties in Minnesota. Residents have a life expectancy of 80.0 years. 5.2% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Stearns County healthier than the Minnesota average?
Stearns County's health score of 87/100 exceeds the Minnesota average of 83/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

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.