Thurston County Health Data
Thurston County, Nebraska
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 2025Health Score
30/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
63.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
63.2 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
91
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
488
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.5%
State avg 15.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
45.0
per 100K residentsCDC: 90.6 per 100K
Dentists
15.0
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 Thurston County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Thurston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 46.3% | 39.8% | 37.6% | 6.5 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 13.1% | 9.6% | 11.2% | 3.5 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 35.5% | 30.3% | 33.5% | 5.2 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 18.2% | 18.4% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Thurston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 21.9% | 14.9% | 16.3% | 7.0 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 20.2% | 22.1% | 17.8% | 1.9 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 30.2% | 26.3% | 27.0% | 3.9 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Thurston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.6% | 72.9% | 74.9% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 51.8% | 62.0% | 57.3% | 10.2 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 70.9% | 73.0% | 73.3% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Thurston | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.8% | 15.3% | 18.6% | 2.5 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 36.4% | 32.3% | 37.3% | 4.1 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Thurston County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES 2022–2023 measure years · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Source vintage: CDC PLACES 2022–2023 measure years.
Compare nationally
Put Thurston County's county estimates in context
Open an existing CDC PLACES ranking to compare reporting counties using the measure’s published estimate year.
Data Story
Thurston County Life Expectancy Significantly Below National Average
Health data brief for Thurston County, Nebraska.
By HealthByCounty Editorial Team
Page revised
The life expectancy in Thurston County is 63.2 years, which is nearly 14 years shorter than the national average of 77 years and the Nebraska state average of 77.5 years. This outcome is documented alongside a mental health provider ratio of 488 per 100,000 residents, which is considerably higher than the national median of 250. The county also has a primary care provider ratio of 91 per 100,000, which exceeds the national median of 70. Approximately 23.5% of residents report their health as poor or fair, a rate that is higher than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 7.3%, lower than the state average of 8.1% and the national average of 10%. These metrics highlight the health environment and provider availability within the county. See the 2025 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps release methodology for detailed data descriptions.
Get Care in Thurston 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 →Twelve Clans Unity Hospital
ERPender Community Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Thurston County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Nebraska.
Get a Quote →Independent third-party services
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Thurston County, NE?
What is the life expectancy in Thurston County?
How does Thurston County health compare to the Nebraska average?
What health factors affect Thurston County?
Is Thurston County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Thurston County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
By HealthByCounty Editorial Team
Page revised
Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps 2025, published by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation .
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.