Lafayette County Health Data

Lafayette County, Missouri

Health Score

43/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.9 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.9%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

24

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

157

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Lafayette County, Missouri

Lafayette approaches national health benchmarks

Lafayette County's 74.9-year life expectancy comes within 4.0 years of the U.S. average of 78.9 years, representing respectable longevity. Just 19.0% of residents report poor or fair health, below national trends and suggesting a relatively healthy population. Lafayette sits in the middle-to-upper range of this county comparison.

Lafayette nearly matches Missouri averages

At 74.9 years, Lafayette's life expectancy nearly ties Missouri's 74.3-year average—only 0.6 years above the state baseline. With 19.0% of residents in poor or fair health and an 11.9% uninsured rate just shy of the state's 12.5%, Lafayette mirrors broader Missouri health outcomes. The county represents a typical health profile for the state.

Lafayette holds steady amid mixed regional picture

Lafayette's 74.9-year life expectancy nearly ties Jefferson (75.0 years) and sits above Jasper (73.8 years) and Lawrence (73.6 years), but trails Knox (75.7 years) and Johnson (75.5 years). Its 19.0% poor/fair health rate ranks in the middle of the regional pack, suggesting neither exceptional nor dire population health. Lafayette occupies the moderate center of this region's health landscape.

Limited primary care, but solid mental health access

Lafayette has just 24 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest in this county set—though 157 mental health providers per 100K offer decent behavioral care. An 11.9% uninsured rate is close to state average, but limited family doctor availability may force residents to wait longer for routine appointments or travel for care. Mental health services stand out as a relative strength.

Keep coverage and plan ahead

Lafayette's near-state-average uninsured rate suggests solid coverage uptake, but the limited primary care supply means you'll want insurance locked in to secure a spot with a doctor. Review your coverage annually on Healthcare.gov and consider workplace plans if available. Stable coverage helps you navigate the longer waits Lafayette's primary care shortages may create.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Lafayette County, MO?
Lafayette County has a health score of 43/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #39 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 Lafayette County?
Life expectancy in Lafayette County is 74.9 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Lafayette County above the state average.
How does Lafayette County health compare to the Missouri average?
Lafayette County's health score of 43/100 is above the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 74.9 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 11.9% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Lafayette County?
Key health factors for Lafayette County include: life expectancy (74.9 years), uninsured rate (11.9%), and primary care physician access (24:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 157:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lafayette County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 43/100 ("Below Average"), Lafayette County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.9 years. 11.9% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Lafayette County healthier than the Missouri average?
Lafayette County's health score of 43/100 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. Lafayette County has better primary care access (24:1 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.