Knox County Health Data
Knox County, Missouri
Health Score
27/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
75.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
16.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.7 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
16.7%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
N/A
per 100K population
Mental Health Providers
54
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Knox County, Missouri
Knox's life expectancy masks hidden struggles
Knox County's 75.7-year life expectancy is respectable relative to the U.S. average of 78.9 years, yet 24.6% of residents report poor or fair health—the worst rate in this eight-county set. This sharp contrast suggests Knox residents are aging with chronic conditions and functional limits despite reasonable longevity. The gap between length and quality of life signals significant underlying health challenges.
Knox balances life expectancy against illness rates
Knox's 75.7-year life expectancy edges above Missouri's 74.3-year average by 1.4 years, but its 24.6% poor/fair health rate far exceeds state norms. An uninsured rate of 16.7% is the highest among these eight counties and well above Missouri's 12.5% average. Knox presents a puzzling profile: longer lives, but lived with more illness and less insurance protection.
Knox's health burden stands apart
While Knox tops the region in life expectancy at 75.7 years, its 24.6% poor/fair health rate is dramatically higher than neighbors like Jefferson (17.6%) and Johnson (17.5%)—a gap of 7+ percentage points. Knox also carries the region's highest uninsured rate at 16.7%, outpacing Jasper (14.0%) and Lawrence (15.1%). This combination suggests Knox residents face steeper health barriers despite longer lifespans.
Limited data on providers, urgent coverage gaps
Primary care provider data for Knox is not currently available, making it difficult to assess routine care access; however, mental health services are scarce at just 54 per 100,000 residents. The county's 16.7% uninsured rate compounds these gaps, leaving many residents unable to afford what care does exist. Behavioral health needs appear particularly underserved in this county.
Securing coverage is urgent in Knox
Knox's uninsured rate is a critical issue—nearly 1 in 6 residents lack basic coverage, limiting access to mental health and primary care. Visit Healthcare.gov or call a benefits counselor today to explore Medicaid and marketplace plans tailored to your income. Coverage is the first step toward managing the chronic conditions affecting so many Knox County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.