Watonwan County Health Data

Watonwan County, Minnesota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

64/100

Average

Life Expectancy

79.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

79.0 yr

State avg 78.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.3%

State avg 6.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

54

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

72

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.6%

State avg 14.8%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

17.9

per 100K residentsCDC: 53.9 per 100K

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 Watonwan County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureWatonwanState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.4%37.0%37.6%near state average
Diabetes10.4%9.3%11.2%1.1 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure28.7%28.6%33.5%near state average
Depression23.6%25.3%24.1%1.7 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureWatonwanState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.5%15.7%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking19.4%20.3%17.8%0.9 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity27.9%24.1%27.0%3.8 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureWatonwanState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup72.1%72.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)59.7%64.7%57.3%5.0 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)79.3%77.1%73.3%2.2 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureWatonwanState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.5%17.0%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration33.1%31.5%37.3%1.6 pts worse than state

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

Watonwan County Uninsured Rate Higher Than State Average

Health data brief for Watonwan County, Minnesota.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

In Watonwan County, 10.3% of the population is uninsured, a rate that sits above the Minnesota state average of 6.0% and aligns with the national average of 10%. This metric is the most pronounced deviation from state norms in the county's latest health data. Meanwhile, the county reports 54 primary care providers and 72 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, both of which are lower than the national medians of 70 and 250, respectively. Regarding health outcomes, 17.6% of adults report being in poor or fair health, which is nearly identical to the national average of 17%. The county’s life expectancy is 79.0 years, slightly longer than the state average of 78.7 years and the national average of 77 years. These figures represent the most recent available data from federal census and health reporting agencies. For additional information, see the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Watonwan 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.

Madelia Health

ER
Not rated by CMS
(507) 642-3255
121 Drew Avenue Southeast, Madelia, MN 56062
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Other

Mayo Clinic Health System St. James

ER
Not rated by CMS
(507) 375-8602
1101 Moulton and Parsons Drive, St James, MN 56081
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.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Watonwan 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 Watonwan County, MN?
Watonwan County has a health score of 64/100, rated "Average." It ranks #81 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 Watonwan County?
Life expectancy in Watonwan County is 79.0 years. The Minnesota state average is 78.7 years, making Watonwan County above the state average.
How does Watonwan County health compare to the Minnesota average?
Watonwan County's health score of 64/100 is below the Minnesota average of 83/100. Life expectancy is 79.0 years vs. the state average of 78.7 years. The uninsured rate is 10.3% vs. 6.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Watonwan County?
Key health factors for Watonwan County include: life expectancy (79.0 years), uninsured rate (10.3%), and primary care physician access (54:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 72:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Watonwan County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 64/100 ("Average"), Watonwan County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Minnesota. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.0 years. 10.3% 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 Watonwan County?
Watonwan County's health score of 64/100 is below the Minnesota average of 83/100. The uninsured rate of 10.3% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. 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.