Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Nebraska
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
66/100
Average
Life Expectancy
76.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.2%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.7 yr
State avg 77.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.2%
State avg 8.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
58
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
38
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
16.3%
State avg 15.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
76.8
per 100K residentsCDC: 58.0 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 Polk County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 40.6% | 39.8% | 37.6% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 8.9% | 9.6% | 11.2% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.6% | 30.3% | 33.5% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| Depression | 18.0% | 18.4% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.2% | 14.9% | 16.3% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 22.9% | 22.1% | 17.8% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.1% | 26.3% | 27.0% | near state average |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 70.6% | 72.9% | 74.9% | 2.3 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 59.7% | 62.0% | 57.3% | 2.3 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 72.2% | 73.0% | 73.3% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 15.2% | 15.3% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 31.5% | 32.3% | 37.3% | 0.8 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on annual routine checkup.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Polk County Mental Health Provider Access Trails National Median
Health data brief for Polk County, Nebraska.
Mental health provider availability in Polk County is 38 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The primary care provider ratio is 58 per 100,000, also below the national median of 70 per 100,000. Life expectancy in the county is 76.7 years, which is shorter than the Nebraska average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. About 8.2% of residents are uninsured, which is nearly identical to the state average of 8.1% and lower than the national average of 10%. Approximately 16.3% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly below the national average of 17%. These statistics provide insight into the healthcare services and outcomes within the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk 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 →Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Polk County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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How does Polk County health compare to 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.