Ward County Health Data

Ward County, North Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

79/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.5 yr

State avg 77.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.5%

State avg 7.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

78

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

303

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.2%

State avg 16.4%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

10.1

per 100K residentsCDC: 78.2 per 100K

Dentists

2.9

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

4.3

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 Ward County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureWardState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity34.7%39.0%37.6%4.3 pts better than state
Diabetes8.8%9.6%11.2%0.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure31.4%30.9%33.5%near state average
Depression20.6%21.5%24.1%0.9 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureWardState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking13.3%15.7%16.3%2.4 pts better than state
Binge Drinking22.4%22.4%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity22.7%23.9%27.0%1.2 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureWardState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup72.2%72.4%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)63.5%61.6%57.3%1.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.9%75.4%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureWardState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress14.5%15.6%18.6%1.1 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration39.6%34.2%37.3%5.4 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Ward County nationally on short sleep duration.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Ward County reports lower rates of poor and fair health

Health data brief for Ward County, North Dakota.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

About 15.2% of adults in Ward County report being in poor or fair health, a lower rate than the national average of 17%. Data from the CDC County Health Rankings shows this health status alongside a mental health provider ratio of 303 per 100,000 residents, which stands above the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care provider availability is also higher than the national median, with 78 providers per 100,000 residents compared to a median of 70. The uninsured rate in the county is 6.5%, below the North Dakota state average of 7.5% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy for residents is 77.5 years, matching the state average and slightly exceeding the national figure of 77 years. These metrics are compiled from federal datasets including the HHS National Plan & Provider Enumeration System. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Ward County, North Dakota

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.

Trinity Hospitals

ER
3/5
(701) 857-5000
407 3rd St Se, Minot, ND 58701
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Trinity Kenmare Community Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(701) 385-4296
Po Box 697, Kenmare, ND 58746
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Ward County, ND?
Ward County has a health score of 79/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #21 out of 53 counties in North Dakota (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 Ward County?
Life expectancy in Ward County is 77.5 years. The North Dakota state average is 77.5 years, making Ward County above the state average.
How does Ward County health compare to the North Dakota average?
Ward County's health score of 79/100 is above the North Dakota average of 72/100. Life expectancy is 77.5 years vs. the state average of 77.5 years. The uninsured rate is 6.5% vs. 7.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Ward County?
Key health factors for Ward County include: life expectancy (77.5 years), uninsured rate (6.5%), and primary care physician access (78:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 303:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Ward County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 79/100 ("Excellent"), Ward County is one of the healthier counties in North Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.5 years. 6.5% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Ward County healthier than the North Dakota average?
Ward County's health score of 79/100 exceeds the North Dakota average of 72/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

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.