Wells County Health Data

Wells County, North Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

87/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

80.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

80.0 yr

State avg 77.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.6%

State avg 7.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

128

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Poor / Fair Health

14.4%

State avg 16.4%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

25.4

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 Wells County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureWellsState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity38.2%39.0%37.6%0.8 pts better than state
Diabetes9.4%9.6%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure30.1%30.9%33.5%0.8 pts better than state
Depression21.8%21.5%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureWellsState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.9%15.7%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking22.5%22.4%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity23.7%23.9%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureWellsState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup72.2%72.4%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)63.8%61.6%57.3%2.2 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.7%75.4%73.3%0.7 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureWellsState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.1%15.6%18.6%0.5 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration32.6%34.2%37.3%1.6 pts better than state

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

Wells County life expectancy surpasses state average by two years

Health data brief for Wells County, North Dakota.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Wells County is 80.0 years, notably higher than the North Dakota state average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. This longevity coincides with a primary care provider ratio of 128 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. The county’s uninsured rate is 6.6%, a figure lower than the state average of 7.5% and the national average of 10%. Approximately 14.4% of residents report poor or fair health status, compared to the 17% national average. While clinical data is available for primary care, there are no reported mental health providers in the county according to the HHS National Plan & Provider Enumeration System, whereas the national median is 250 per 100,000. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Wells 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.

Smp Health St Aloisius

ER
1/5
(701) 324-4651
325 E Brewster St, Harvey, ND 58341
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 Wells County, ND?
Wells County has a health score of 87/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #7 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 Wells County?
Life expectancy in Wells County is 80.0 years. The North Dakota state average is 77.5 years, making Wells County above the state average.
How does Wells County health compare to the North Dakota average?
Wells County's health score of 87/100 is above the North Dakota average of 72/100. Life expectancy is 80.0 years vs. the state average of 77.5 years. The uninsured rate is 6.6% vs. 7.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Wells County?
Key health factors for Wells County include: life expectancy (80.0 years), uninsured rate (6.6%), and primary care physician access (128:1 (population to primary care physicians)). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Wells County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 87/100 ("Excellent"), Wells County is one of the healthier counties in North Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 80.0 years. 6.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Wells County healthier than the North Dakota average?
Wells County's health score of 87/100 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.