Lawrence County Health Data
Lawrence County, Missouri
Health Score
31/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
73.6 yr
Uninsured Rate
15.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
73.6 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
15.1%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
39
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
121
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Lawrence County, Missouri
Lawrence struggles with life expectancy gap
Lawrence County's 73.6-year life expectancy falls about 5.3 years short of the U.S. average of 78.9 years, indicating significant population health challenges. With 19.4% of residents in poor or fair health and a 15.1% uninsured rate, Lawrence bears multiple health disadvantages at once. The county faces compounding barriers to longevity and quality of life.
Lawrence underperforms Missouri on all measures
At 73.6 years, Lawrence's life expectancy trails Missouri's 74.3-year average by 0.7 years, while its 19.4% poor/fair health rate and 15.1% uninsured rate both exceed state norms. This triple burden—below-average longevity, above-average illness, and above-average lack of coverage—places Lawrence among the state's most health-challenged counties. Multiple interventions are needed simultaneously.
Lawrence ranks below most regional peers
Lawrence's 73.6-year life expectancy is the second-lowest in the region, trailing all neighbors except Laclede (72.3 years), and sits 1-2 years behind Johnson (75.5 years) and Knox (75.7 years). Its 19.4% poor/fair health rate matches Jasper closely but lags healthier neighbors by 2+ percentage points. Lawrence faces health headwinds similar to Jasper, suggesting shared regional challenges.
Modest provider supply, high uninsured burden
Lawrence has 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—below Jasper's 82 but above Lafayette's 24—alongside 121 mental health providers per 100K, offering basic access. However, 15.1% of residents lack health insurance, the second-highest rate in this county set, leaving many unable to afford the care that does exist. Cost barriers likely force difficult choices between healthcare and other needs.
Insurance access can improve your health
Lawrence's high uninsured rate is a critical issue—1 in 6-7 residents lack basic coverage, blocking access to preventive care and routine treatment. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local benefits counselor to explore Medicaid expansion and marketplace plans, many of which offer premiums as low as $0-$100 per month. Getting covered is the first step toward better health outcomes.
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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.