Dakota County Health Data

Dakota County, Nebraska

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

47/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

76.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.5 yr

State avg 77.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.5%

State avg 8.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

14

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

254

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

20.9%

State avg 15.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

4.7

per 100K residentsCDC: 14.1 per 100K

Dentists

4.7

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

4.7

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 Dakota County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDakotaState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity44.6%39.8%37.6%4.8 pts worse than state
Diabetes11.9%9.6%11.2%2.3 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure30.0%30.3%33.5%near state average
Depression16.0%18.4%24.1%2.4 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDakotaState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.9%14.9%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking18.9%22.1%17.8%3.2 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity32.7%26.3%27.0%6.4 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDakotaState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.8%72.9%74.9%0.9 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)55.3%62.0%57.3%6.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)71.5%73.0%73.3%1.5 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDakotaState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress14.6%15.3%18.6%0.7 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration34.7%32.3%37.3%2.4 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Dakota County nationally on dental visit (past year).

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

Data Story

Primary Care Provider Availability Low in Dakota County

Health data brief for Dakota County, Nebraska.

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

Dakota County has 14 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a figure that is significantly lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. In contrast, the mental health provider ratio is 254 per 100,000 residents, which is slightly higher than the national median of 250. Regarding general health status, 20.9% of residents report poor or fair health, a higher frequency than the national average of 17%. The life expectancy in the county is 76.5 years, which is lower than the Nebraska state average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 10.5%, higher than both the state average of 8.1% and the national average of 10%. These data points reflect the current availability of medical services and population health status according to federal records. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Dakota County, Nebraska

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 Dakota 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 Dakota County, NE?
Dakota County has a health score of 47/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #91 out of 93 counties in Nebraska (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 Dakota County?
Life expectancy in Dakota County is 76.5 years. The Nebraska state average is 77.5 years, making Dakota County below the state average.
How does Dakota County health compare to the Nebraska average?
Dakota County's health score of 47/100 is below the Nebraska average of 71/100. Life expectancy is 76.5 years vs. the state average of 77.5 years. The uninsured rate is 10.5% vs. 8.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Dakota County?
Key health factors for Dakota County include: life expectancy (76.5 years), uninsured rate (10.5%), and primary care physician access (14:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 254:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Dakota County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 47/100 ("Below Average"), Dakota County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Nebraska. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.5 years. 10.5% 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 Dakota County?
Dakota County's health score of 47/100 is below the Nebraska average of 71/100. The uninsured rate of 10.5% 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.