Dawes County Health Data

Dawes County, Nebraska

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

67/100

Average

Life Expectancy

75.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.9 yr

State avg 77.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

State avg 8.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

74

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

344

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.4%

State avg 15.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

24.4

per 100K residentsCDC: 73.6 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

12.2

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 Dawes County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDawesState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity38.3%39.8%37.6%1.5 pts better than state
Diabetes9.6%9.6%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure30.3%30.3%33.5%near state average
Depression18.8%18.4%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDawesState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.4%14.9%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking22.0%22.1%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity25.5%26.3%27.0%0.8 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDawesState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup72.8%72.9%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)62.1%62.0%57.3%near state average
Mammography (women 50–74)71.4%73.0%73.3%1.6 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDawesState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.3%15.3%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration34.8%32.3%37.3%2.5 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Dawes County nationally on short sleep duration.

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

Data Story

Mental Health Provider Concentration Elevated in Dawes County

Health data brief for Dawes County, Nebraska.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

The mental health provider ratio in Dawes County is 344 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care provider availability is also higher than the national median, with 74 providers per 100,000 residents compared to 70 per 100,000. In terms of health outcomes, the average life expectancy is 75.9 years, which is shorter than the Nebraska state average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9%, lower than the state average of 8.1% and the national average of 10%. Additionally, 15.4% of the population reports poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. These statistics are sourced from federal databases regarding provider registration and health surveys. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Dawes 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.

Chadron Hospital

ER
3/5
(308) 432-5586
825 Centennial Drive, Chadron, NE 69337
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 Dawes County, NE?
Dawes County has a health score of 67/100, rated "Average." It ranks #57 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 Dawes County?
Life expectancy in Dawes County is 75.9 years. The Nebraska state average is 77.5 years, making Dawes County below the state average.
How does Dawes County health compare to the Nebraska average?
Dawes County's health score of 67/100 is below the Nebraska average of 71/100. Life expectancy is 75.9 years vs. the state average of 77.5 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 8.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Dawes County?
Key health factors for Dawes County include: life expectancy (75.9 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (74:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 344:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Dawes County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 67/100 ("Average"), Dawes County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Nebraska. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.9 years. 7.9% 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 Dawes County?
Dawes County's health score of 67/100 is below the Nebraska average of 71/100. 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.