Merrick County Health Data
Merrick County, Nebraska
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
77/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
77.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.4 yr
State avg 77.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.3%
State avg 8.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
39
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
39
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.6%
State avg 15.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
13.0
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 Merrick County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Merrick | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 39.2% | 39.8% | 37.6% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.2% | 9.6% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.9% | 30.3% | 33.5% | near state average |
| Depression | 19.1% | 18.4% | 24.1% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Merrick | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.4% | 14.9% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 22.4% | 22.1% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.9% | 26.3% | 27.0% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Merrick | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 72.6% | 72.9% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 64.4% | 62.0% | 57.3% | 2.4 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 75.6% | 73.0% | 73.3% | 2.6 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Merrick | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 15.8% | 15.3% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 31.6% | 32.3% | 37.3% | 0.7 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Merrick County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Merrick County Mental Health Provider Ratio Trails National Median
Health data brief for Merrick County, Nebraska.
Merrick County reports 39 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure substantially lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The county also has a primary care provider ratio of 39 per 100,000, which is below the national median of 70. Life expectancy for residents is 77.4 years, nearly matching the Nebraska average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. In terms of health status, 14.6% of residents report poor or fair health, which is lower than the national benchmark of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 7.3%, falling below both the state average of 8.1% and the national average of 10%. These data points describe the current provider landscape and health coverage within the county without suggesting a specific cause for the provider distribution. Review the HHS National Plan & Provider Enumeration System for more information on healthcare provider data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Merrick 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 →Merrick Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Merrick County health compare to the Nebraska average?
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Why is Merrick 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.