Brule County Health Data

Brule County, South Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

59/100

Average

Life Expectancy

79.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

79.1 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.4%

State avg 11.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

115

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

151

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.0%

State avg 16.0%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

19.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 114.5 per 100K

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 Brule County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBruleState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity38.5%37.2%37.6%1.3 pts worse than state
Diabetes10.3%11.1%11.2%0.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure30.4%30.7%33.5%near state average
Depression21.9%21.9%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBruleState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking17.2%18.3%16.3%1.1 pts better than state
Binge Drinking19.8%19.9%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity24.4%25.3%27.0%0.9 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBruleState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.0%73.6%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)62.2%64.7%57.3%2.5 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.8%75.1%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureBruleState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.1%17.2%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration31.2%31.9%37.3%0.7 pts better than state

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

Brule County Primary Care Access High Compared to National Median

Health data brief for Brule County, South Dakota.

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

Brule County reports 115 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. The county has 151 mental health providers per 100,000, lower than the national median of 250. Life expectancy in the county is 79.1 years, which is higher than the state average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 13.4%, which is higher than the South Dakota average of 11.1% and the national average of 10%. Exactly 17.0% of residents report being in poor or fair health, which matches the national rate. These data points are sourced from federal reporting by the CDC and the Census Bureau. Explore more about South Dakota health data.

Get Care in Brule 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.

Sanford Chamberlain Medical Center

ER
Not rated by CMS
(605) 234-5511
300 S Byron, Chamberlain, SD 57325
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 Brule County, SD?
Brule County has a health score of 59/100, rated "Average." It ranks #50 out of 66 counties in South 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 Brule County?
Life expectancy in Brule County is 79.1 years. The South Dakota state average is 75.4 years, making Brule County above the state average.
How does Brule County health compare to the South Dakota average?
Brule County's health score of 59/100 is below the South Dakota average of 60/100. Life expectancy is 79.1 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.4% vs. 11.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Brule County?
Key health factors for Brule County include: life expectancy (79.1 years), uninsured rate (13.4%), and primary care physician access (115:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 151:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Brule County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 59/100 ("Average"), Brule County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in South Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.1 years. 13.4% 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 Brule County?
Brule County's health score of 59/100 is below the South Dakota average of 60/100. The uninsured rate of 13.4% 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.