Sanders County Health Data

Sanders County, Montana

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

41/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.0 yr

State avg 76.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.5%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

77

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

278

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.1%

State avg 17.2%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

61.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 77.2 per 100K

Dentists

15.5

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

30.9

per 100K residents

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 Sanders County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureSandersState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity34.8%33.5%37.6%1.3 pts worse than state
Diabetes9.0%9.0%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure29.1%29.5%33.5%near state average
Depression26.0%25.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureSandersState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking17.5%16.0%16.3%1.5 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking22.2%22.2%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity23.1%22.1%27.0%1.0 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureSandersState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup65.5%68.4%74.9%2.9 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)59.4%60.1%57.3%0.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)70.2%71.9%73.3%1.7 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureSandersState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.9%19.2%18.6%0.7 pts worse 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 Sanders County nationally on annual routine checkup.

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

Data Story

Sanders County Uninsured Rate Exceeds State and National Figures

Health data brief for Sanders County, Montana.

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

The uninsured rate in Sanders County is 16.5%, which is notably higher than both the Montana average of 11.9% and the national average of 10%. Alongside this insurance data, the county reports 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is above the national median of 70. Mental health provider availability is also higher than the national norm, with 278 providers per 100,000 residents compared to the national median of 250. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.0 years, which is lower than the state average of 76.3 years and the national average of 77 years. Additionally, 17.1% of residents report poor or fair health, which is almost identical to the national average of 17%. This data illustrates the local health environment and access to coverage. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Sanders 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.

Clark Fork Valley Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(406) 826-4800
10 Kruger Rd, Plains, MT 59859
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 Sanders County, MT?
Sanders County has a health score of 41/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #44 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 Sanders County?
Life expectancy in Sanders County is 75.0 years. The Montana state average is 76.3 years, making Sanders County below the state average.
How does Sanders County health compare to the Montana average?
Sanders County's health score of 41/100 is below the Montana average of 54/100. Life expectancy is 75.0 years vs. the state average of 76.3 years. The uninsured rate is 16.5% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Sanders County?
Key health factors for Sanders County include: life expectancy (75.0 years), uninsured rate (16.5%), and primary care physician access (77:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 278:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Sanders County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 41/100 ("Below Average"), Sanders County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Montana. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.0 years. 16.5% 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 Sanders County?
Sanders County's health score of 41/100 is below the Montana average of 54/100. The uninsured rate of 16.5% 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.