Howard County Health Data
Howard County, Nebraska
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
90/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
79.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.7 yr
State avg 77.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.7%
State avg 8.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
77
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
107
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
13.9%
State avg 15.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
30.8
per 100K residentsCDC: 76.6 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 Howard County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Howard | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.7% | 39.8% | 37.6% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 8.7% | 9.6% | 11.2% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 30.6% | 30.3% | 33.5% | near state average |
| Depression | 18.1% | 18.4% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Howard | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.3% | 14.9% | 16.3% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 23.3% | 22.1% | 17.8% | 1.2 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 25.4% | 26.3% | 27.0% | 0.9 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Howard | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 73.5% | 72.9% | 74.9% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 64.7% | 62.0% | 57.3% | 2.7 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 75.3% | 73.0% | 73.3% | 2.3 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Howard | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 15.1% | 15.3% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 30.7% | 32.3% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Howard 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
Howard County Uninsured Rate Significantly Below State and National Averages
Health data brief for Howard County, Nebraska.
In Howard County, the uninsured rate is 5.7%, which is notably lower than the Nebraska state average of 8.1% and the national average of 10%. This lower rate of uninsurance coincides with a life expectancy of 79.7 years, which is higher than both the state average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. Additionally, 13.9% of adults in Howard County report being in poor or fair health, a figure below the 17% national average. For healthcare access, the county has 77 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, slightly above the national median of 70. However, the mental health provider ratio is 107 per 100,000, which is lower than the national median of 250. For more context on these statistics, see the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Howard 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
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Howard County Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Howard County, NE?
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How does Howard County health compare to the Nebraska average?
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Why is Howard County healthier than the Nebraska average?
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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.