Union County Health Data

Union County, New Mexico

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

27/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

State avg 73.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.1%

State avg 10.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

24

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

858

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

24.8%

State avg 22.2%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

24.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 24.3 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

49.5

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 Union County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity34.7%35.4%37.6%0.7 pts better than state
Diabetes11.8%12.1%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure32.2%31.3%33.5%0.9 pts worse than state
Depression23.2%23.4%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.9%15.0%16.3%0.9 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking15.9%15.3%17.8%0.6 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity26.5%26.7%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup65.0%66.2%74.9%1.2 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)52.2%57.4%57.3%5.2 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)67.4%68.1%73.3%0.7 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureUnionState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.6%17.6%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration35.9%35.5%37.3%near state average

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Union 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

Union County Primary Care Access Lower Than National Median

Health data brief for Union County, New Mexico.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Union County reports a primary care provider ratio of 24 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. In contrast, the county has a mental health provider ratio of 858 per 100,000, which is more than three times the national median of 250. Life expectancy in the county is 73.8 years, which is nearly identical to the New Mexico state average of 73.7 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. Approximately 24.8% of adults report being in poor or fair health, higher than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate is 12.1%, which is higher than the state average of 10.2% and the national 10% average. These statistics provide a comparative look at health access and outcomes in the county. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Union County, New Mexico

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.

Union County General Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(575) 374-7001
300 Wilson Street, Clayton, NM 88415
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 Union County, NM?
Union County has a health score of 27/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #23 out of 33 counties in New Mexico (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 Union County?
Life expectancy in Union County is 73.8 years. The New Mexico state average is 73.7 years, making Union County above the state average.
How does Union County health compare to the New Mexico average?
Union County's health score of 27/100 is below the New Mexico average of 38/100. Life expectancy is 73.8 years vs. the state average of 73.7 years. The uninsured rate is 12.1% vs. 10.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Union County?
Key health factors for Union County include: life expectancy (73.8 years), uninsured rate (12.1%), and primary care physician access (24:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 858:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Union County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 27/100 ("Below Average"), Union County faces health challenges compared to other counties in New Mexico. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.8 years. 12.1% 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 Union County?
Union County's health score of 27/100 is below the New Mexico average of 38/100. The uninsured rate of 12.1% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. 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.