Shelby County Health Data

Shelby County, Missouri

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

38/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.7 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.8%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

17

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

17

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

21.6%

State avg 20.4%

National avg 19.6%

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 Shelby County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureShelbyState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.6%39.0%37.6%1.6 pts worse than state
Diabetes11.5%11.0%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure35.6%34.0%33.5%1.6 pts worse than state
Depression27.1%26.4%24.1%0.7 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureShelbyState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking21.4%19.4%16.3%2.0 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking17.4%17.5%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity32.7%31.0%27.0%1.7 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureShelbyState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.8%75.8%74.9%1.0 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)53.9%55.4%57.3%1.5 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)69.9%71.9%73.3%2.0 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureShelbyState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.6%19.8%18.6%0.8 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration38.8%39.4%37.3%0.6 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Shelby County nationally on current cigarette smoking.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Primary Care Ratio in Shelby County Stands at 17

Health data brief for Shelby County, Missouri.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Shelby County reports a primary care provider ratio of 17 per 100,000 residents, a figure notably lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. Access to mental health providers is also recorded at 17 per 100,000, which is significantly fewer than the national median of 250. Life expectancy in the county is 75.7 years, which is higher than the Missouri average of 74.3 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 12.8%, slightly exceeding the state's 12.5% and the national 10%. Additionally, 21.6% of residents report being in poor or fair health, compared to the 17% national average. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Shelby 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.

Hospitals near you

No CMS Care Compare hospital is located in Shelby County.

This is common in low-population rural counties. Residents typically travel to a hospital in a neighboring county or larger metro. Use Medicare.gov Care Compare to find rated hospitals statewide or contact a federally-funded community health center for primary and preventive care.

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 Shelby County, MO?
Shelby County has a health score of 38/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #51 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 Shelby County?
Life expectancy in Shelby County is 75.7 years. The Missouri state average is 74.3 years, making Shelby County above the state average.
How does Shelby County health compare to the Missouri average?
Shelby County's health score of 38/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 75.7 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 12.8% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Shelby County?
Key health factors for Shelby County include: life expectancy (75.7 years), uninsured rate (12.8%), and primary care physician access (17:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 17:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Shelby County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 38/100 ("Below Average"), Shelby County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Missouri. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.7 years. 12.8% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Shelby County?
Shelby County's health score of 38/100 is below the Missouri average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 12.8% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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.