Jefferson County Health Data

Jefferson County, Missouri

Health Score

53/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.0 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.5%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

26

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

116

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Jefferson County, Missouri

Jefferson beats national health averages

Jefferson County's 75.0-year life expectancy edges closer to the U.S. average of 78.9 years—though still a meaningful 3.9-year gap remains. Just 17.6% of residents report poor or fair health, significantly better than the national average. Jefferson emerges as one of Missouri's healthier counties relative to broader U.S. trends.

Jefferson ranks well within Missouri

At 75.0 years, Jefferson's life expectancy exceeds Missouri's 74.3-year state average by 0.7 years, placing it solidly in the upper half statewide. With only 17.6% of residents in poor or fair health—the lowest rate among these eight counties—Jefferson demonstrates stronger population health outcomes. The county's low uninsured rate (9.5%) underscores better access than most of the state.

Jefferson leads regional health metrics

Jefferson's 75.0-year life expectancy matches Lafayette County (74.9 years) and exceeds Jasper (73.8 years) and Lawrence (73.6 years) by 1-2 years. Its 17.6% poor/fair health rate is the best among regional peers, including Johnson County (17.5%, nearly tied). This consistency suggests Jefferson has created more stable health conditions across its population.

Coverage is strong, but provider gaps exist

Jefferson's 9.5% uninsured rate is well below Missouri's 12.5% average, indicating stronger insurance uptake across the county. However, with just 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, access to routine care may involve longer waits or travel, despite adequate mental health services (116 per 100K). This suggests Jefferson residents' good insurance coverage doesn't guarantee quick appointments with family doctors.

Maintain your coverage to stay healthy

If you're uninsured or between jobs, Jefferson's strong insurance baseline means help is likely available through employer plans, Medicaid, or marketplace options. Visit Healthcare.gov to compare plans, or contact a local benefits counselor to protect your coverage. Keeping insurance steady helps you access those primary care providers and avoid gaps in preventive care.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Jefferson County, MO?
Jefferson County has a health score of 53/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #19 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 Jefferson County?
Life expectancy in Jefferson County is 75.0 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Jefferson County above the state average.
How does Jefferson County health compare to the Missouri average?
Jefferson County's health score of 53/100 is above the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 75.0 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 9.5% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Jefferson County?
Key health factors for Jefferson County include: life expectancy (75.0 years), uninsured rate (9.5%), and primary care physician access (26:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 116:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Jefferson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 53/100 ("Below Average"), Jefferson County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.0 years. 9.5% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Jefferson County healthier than the Missouri average?
Jefferson County's health score of 53/100 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. Jefferson County has better primary care access (26:1 ratio) than the state average (43:1).

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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.