Buffalo County Health Data
Buffalo County, South Dakota
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
10/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
54.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
12.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
54.0 yr
State avg 75.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
12.8%
State avg 11.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
N/A
per 100K population
Mental Health Providers
265
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
31.5%
State avg 16.0%
National avg 19.6%
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 Buffalo County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 49.0% | 37.2% | 37.6% | 11.8 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 18.7% | 11.1% | 11.2% | 7.6 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 37.9% | 30.7% | 33.5% | 7.2 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 22.0% | 21.9% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 32.1% | 18.3% | 16.3% | 13.8 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.3% | 19.9% | 17.8% | 3.6 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 37.6% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 12.3 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.1% | 73.6% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 42.3% | 64.7% | 57.3% | 22.4 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 67.9% | 75.1% | 73.3% | 7.2 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 22.3% | 17.2% | 18.6% | 5.1 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 38.9% | 31.9% | 37.3% | 7.0 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Buffalo 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
Buffalo County Life Expectancy Is Significantly Lower Than National Average
Health data brief for Buffalo County, South Dakota.
Buffalo County has a life expectancy of 54.0 years, which is 21.4 years lower than the state average of 75.4 years and 23 years lower than the national average of 77 years. Approximately 31.5% of residents report poor or fair health, which is nearly double the national rate of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 12.8%, compared to the state rate of 11.1% and the national rate of 10%. Regarding mental health services, the county has 265 providers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Data on the primary care provider ratio was not available for this period. These findings are reported by the CDC and federal health agencies. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Buffalo 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
No CMS Care Compare hospital is located in Buffalo County.
This is common in low-population rural counties. Residents typically travel to a hospital in a neighboring county or larger metro. Use Medicare.gov Care Compare to find rated hospitals statewide or contact a federally-funded community health center for primary and preventive care.
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Buffalo County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in South Dakota.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Buffalo County, SD?
What is the life expectancy in Buffalo County?
How does Buffalo County health compare to the South Dakota average?
What health factors affect Buffalo County?
Is Buffalo County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Buffalo County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.