Cole County Health Data

Cole County, Missouri

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

67/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.1%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

70

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

252

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.6%

State avg 20.4%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

11.7

per 100K residentsCDC: 69.9 per 100K

Dentists

1.3

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

2.6

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 Cole County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureColeState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity36.7%39.0%37.6%2.3 pts better than state
Diabetes9.4%11.0%11.2%1.6 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure33.2%34.0%33.5%0.8 pts better than state
Depression23.9%26.4%24.1%2.5 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureColeState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.2%19.4%16.3%5.2 pts better than state
Binge Drinking19.0%17.5%17.8%1.5 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity26.3%31.0%27.0%4.7 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureColeState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.3%75.8%74.9%1.5 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)63.7%55.4%57.3%8.3 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)78.0%71.9%73.3%6.1 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureColeState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.4%19.8%18.6%2.4 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration36.8%39.4%37.3%2.6 pts better than state

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

Cole County Uninsured Rate Better Than National Average

Health data brief for Cole County, Missouri.

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

Cole County reports an uninsured rate of 9.1%, placing it below both the Missouri state average of 12.5% and the national average of 10%. This figure correlates with several other health-related data points for the region. For instance, the life expectancy for residents is 77.1 years, which is higher than the state average of 74.3 years and slightly above the national average of 77 years. The primary care provider ratio in the county is 70 per 100,000 residents, matching the national median. Furthermore, the mental health provider ratio is 252 per 100,000, which is consistent with the national median of 250 per 100,000. Data also shows that 15.6% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Cole County, Missouri

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.

Ssm Health St. Mary's Hospital - Jefferson City

ER
3/5
(573) 681-3000
2505 Mission Drive, Jefferson City, MO 65109
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

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 Cole County, MO?
Cole County has a health score of 67/100, rated "Average." It ranks #7 out of 115 counties in Missouri (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 Cole County?
Life expectancy in Cole County is 77.1 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Cole County above the state average.
How does Cole County health compare to the Missouri average?
Cole County's health score of 67/100 is above the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 77.1 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 9.1% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Cole County?
Key health factors for Cole County include: life expectancy (77.1 years), uninsured rate (9.1%), and primary care physician access (70:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 252:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Cole County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 67/100 ("Average"), Cole County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.1 years. 9.1% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Cole County healthier than the Missouri average?
Cole County's health score of 67/100 exceeds the Missouri average of 38/100. 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.