Harlan County Health Data

Harlan County, Nebraska

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

71/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.8 yr

State avg 77.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.9%

State avg 8.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

65

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Poor / Fair Health

13.8%

State avg 15.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

33.3

per 100K residentsCDC: 64.7 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 Harlan County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureHarlanState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity35.5%39.8%37.6%4.3 pts better than state
Diabetes9.0%9.6%11.2%0.6 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure29.8%30.3%33.5%near state average
Depression18.6%18.4%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureHarlanState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.7%14.9%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking22.7%22.1%17.8%0.6 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity26.4%26.3%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureHarlanState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup72.7%72.9%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)64.9%62.0%57.3%2.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)75.7%73.0%73.3%2.7 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureHarlanState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.6%15.3%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration32.5%32.3%37.3%near state average

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Harlan County nationally on obesity.

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

Data Story

Harlan County Reports Lower Rate of Poor or Fair Health

Health data brief for Harlan County, Nebraska.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

In Harlan County, 13.8% of adults report being in poor or fair health, a figure that is lower than the national average of 17%. The county's life expectancy stands at 76.8 years, which is slightly below both the Nebraska state average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. In terms of healthcare coverage, 8.9% of the population is uninsured, which is higher than the state average of 8.1% but remains below the national average of 10%. Healthcare provider availability in the county includes 65 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, slightly under the national median of 70 per 100,000. Data for mental health provider ratios in Harlan County is not available in current reporting. See the CDC County Health Rankings for more information on rural health metrics.

Get Care in Harlan 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.

Harlan County Health System

Not rated by CMS
(308) 928-2151
717 Brown St, Alma, NE 68920
Critical Access HospitalsGovernment - Local

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 Harlan County, NE?
Harlan County has a health score of 71/100, rated "Average." It ranks #48 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 Harlan County?
Life expectancy in Harlan County is 76.8 years. The Nebraska state average is 77.5 years, making Harlan County below the state average.
How does Harlan County health compare to the Nebraska average?
Harlan County's health score of 71/100 is equal to the Nebraska average of 71/100. Life expectancy is 76.8 years vs. the state average of 77.5 years. The uninsured rate is 8.9% vs. 8.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Harlan County?
Key health factors for Harlan County include: life expectancy (76.8 years), uninsured rate (8.9%), and primary care physician access (65:1 (population to primary care physicians)). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Harlan County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 71/100 ("Average"), Harlan County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Nebraska. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.8 years. 8.9% 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 Harlan County?
Harlan County's health score of 71/100 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.