Benton County Health Data

Benton County, Mississippi

Health Score

13/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

18.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.7 yr

State avg 70.9 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

18.0%

State avg 13.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

13

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

54

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Benton County, Mississippi

Benton County life expectancy significantly below U.S. average

At 70.7 years, Benton County's life expectancy ranks among the lowest in the region and falls 6.6 years short of the U.S. average of 77.3 years. Nearly a quarter of residents (23.3%) report poor or fair health, reflecting premature mortality and substantial illness burden.

Below-average life expectancy for Mississippi

Benton County's 70.7-year life expectancy falls slightly below Mississippi's 70.9-year state average, positioning it in the lower tier statewide. The county's health outcomes suggest systemic barriers to both preventive care and chronic disease management.

Benton ranks lowest among regional peers

At 70.7 years, Benton County has the shortest life expectancy among all eight counties in this analysis, trailing even Bolivar County (67.0 years) when adjusted for health equity context. Only Bolivar and Calhoun County approach Benton's low performance.

Critical primary care shortage drives health gaps

Benton County has only 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the region—creating substantial barriers to preventive care and routine diagnosis. The situation is compounded by an 18% uninsured rate, the highest among all eight counties, meaning many residents lack even basic coverage.

Insurance access is urgent in Benton County

With 18% uninsured and severe primary care shortages, Benton County residents should immediately explore coverage through Mississippi's Health Marketplace or Medicaid—no enrollment fee required. Coverage paired with targeted outreach to available mental health services (54 per 100K) could help address the county's troubling life expectancy gap.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Benton County residents.

Compare Plans →

HealthMarkets

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

Get a Quote →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Benton County, MS?
Benton County has a health score of 13/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #50 out of 82 counties in Mississippi (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 Benton County?
Life expectancy in Benton County is 70.7 years. The Mississippi state average is 70.9 years, making Benton County below the state average.
How does Benton County health compare to the Mississippi average?
Benton County's health score of 13/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. Life expectancy is 70.7 years vs. the state average of 70.9 years. The uninsured rate is 18.0% vs. 13.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Benton County?
Key health factors for Benton County include: life expectancy (70.7 years), uninsured rate (18.0%), and primary care physician access (13:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 54:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Benton County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 13/100 ("Below Average"), Benton County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Mississippi. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.7 years. 18.0% 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 Benton County?
Benton County's health score of 13/100 is below the Mississippi average of 18/100. The uninsured rate of 18.0% 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

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.