Brown County Health Data
Brown County, South Dakota
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
76/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
78.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.9%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
78.5 yr
State avg 75.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.9%
State avg 11.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
63
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
456
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
12.3%
State avg 16.0%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
23.6
per 100K residentsCDC: 63.0 per 100K
Dentists
2.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
5.3
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 Brown County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Brown | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 35.5% | 37.2% | 37.6% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.5% | 11.1% | 11.2% | 1.6 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 28.1% | 30.7% | 33.5% | 2.6 pts better than state |
| Depression | 21.0% | 21.9% | 24.1% | 0.9 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Brown | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.7% | 18.3% | 16.3% | 3.6 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 18.6% | 19.9% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.5% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 1.8 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Brown | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.3% | 73.6% | 74.9% | 2.7 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 70.3% | 64.7% | 57.3% | 5.6 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 79.3% | 75.1% | 73.3% | 4.2 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Brown | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 15.7% | 17.2% | 18.6% | 1.5 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 30.7% | 31.9% | 37.3% | 1.2 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Brown 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
Brown County Mental Health Provider Ratio Outpaces National Median
Health data brief for Brown County, South Dakota.
Brown County has 456 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The county also reports a life expectancy of 78.5 years, exceeding the state average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 9.9%, which is lower than the state rate of 11.1% and roughly equal to the national rate of 10%. About 12.3% of residents report poor or fair health, lower than the national rate of 17%. For primary care, the county has 63 providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. These statistics reflect data from the CDC County Health Rankings. Access the full CDC County Health Rankings data set.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Brown County, South 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Avera St Lukes
ERSanford Medical Center Aberdeen
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Brown County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Brown County, SD?
What is the life expectancy in Brown County?
How does Brown County health compare to the South Dakota average?
What health factors affect Brown County?
Is Brown County a healthy place to live?
Why is Brown County healthier than the South Dakota 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.