Dawson County Health Data

Dawson County, Montana

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

60/100

Average

Life Expectancy

75.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.3 yr

State avg 76.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.4%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

45

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

261

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

16.3%

State avg 17.2%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

22.5

per 100K residentsCDC: 44.9 per 100K

Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.

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 Dawson County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity33.0%33.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes8.2%9.0%11.2%0.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure28.2%29.5%33.5%1.3 pts better than state
Depression24.5%25.5%24.1%1.0 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.1%16.0%16.3%1.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking23.2%22.2%17.8%1.0 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity21.1%22.1%27.0%1.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup67.0%68.4%74.9%1.4 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)60.5%60.1%57.3%near state average
Mammography (women 50–74)72.7%71.9%73.3%0.8 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.4%19.2%18.6%0.8 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration34.5%33.4%37.3%1.1 pts worse than state

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

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

Data Story

Dawson County Uninsured Rate Better Than State Average

Health data brief for Dawson County, Montana.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

The uninsured rate in Dawson County is 8.4%, which is lower than the Montana state average of 11.9% and the national average of 10%. While insurance coverage is higher than many neighboring areas, the primary care provider ratio is 45 per 100,000 people, trailing the national median of 70 per 100,000. The mental health provider ratio is 261 per 100,000, which is just above the national benchmark of 250. Life expectancy in the county is 75.3 years, more than one year less than the Montana state average of 76.3 and below the national average of 77 years. About 16.3% of the population reports poor or fair health, which is slightly lower than the 17% seen nationally. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology for more information.

Get Care in Dawson County, Montana

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.

Glendive Medical Center

ER
1/5
(406) 345-3306
202 Prospect Dr, Glendive, MT 59330
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Dawson County, MT?
Dawson County has a health score of 60/100, rated "Average." It ranks #23 out of 56 counties in Montana (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 Dawson County?
Life expectancy in Dawson County is 75.3 years. The Montana state average is 76.3 years, making Dawson County below the state average.
How does Dawson County health compare to the Montana average?
Dawson County's health score of 60/100 is above the Montana average of 54/100. Life expectancy is 75.3 years vs. the state average of 76.3 years. The uninsured rate is 8.4% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Dawson County?
Key health factors for Dawson County include: life expectancy (75.3 years), uninsured rate (8.4%), and primary care physician access (45:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 261:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Dawson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 60/100 ("Average"), Dawson County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Montana. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.3 years. 8.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Dawson County healthier than the Montana average?
Dawson County's health score of 60/100 exceeds the Montana average of 54/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Dawson County has better primary care access (45:1 ratio) than the state average (68:1).

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.