Clay County Health Data

Clay County, South Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

66/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.2 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.1%

State avg 11.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

46

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

117

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.5%

State avg 16.0%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

6.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 46.2 per 100K

Dentists

6.6

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

6.6

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 Clay County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.8%37.2%37.6%2.6 pts worse than state
Diabetes10.3%11.1%11.2%0.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure30.0%30.7%33.5%0.7 pts better than state
Depression23.1%21.9%24.1%1.2 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.8%18.3%16.3%2.5 pts better than state
Binge Drinking19.5%19.9%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity24.3%25.3%27.0%1.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.3%73.6%74.9%0.7 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)64.2%64.7%57.3%near state average
Mammography (women 50–74)72.5%75.1%73.3%2.6 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureClayState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.3%17.2%18.6%0.9 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration33.2%31.9%37.3%1.3 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Clay County nationally on obesity.

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

Data Story

Clay County Primary Care Provider Ratio Trails National Median

Health data brief for Clay County, South Dakota.

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

Clay County records 46 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a figure lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. In comparison, the county’s mental health provider ratio is 117 per 100,000, while the national median is 250. Life expectancy for residents is 77.2 years, which is higher than the national average of 77 years and the South Dakota state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate stands at 10.1%, which is lower than the state average of 11.1% and nearly matches the national average of 10%. Additionally, 15.5% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, a lower rate than the national average of 17%. These health indicators are derived from federal health and provider databases. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Clay 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 Vermillion Medical Center

ER
Not rated by CMS
(605) 624-2611
20 South Plum Street, Vermillion, SD 57069
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 Clay County, SD?
Clay County has a health score of 66/100, rated "Average." It ranks #42 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 Clay County?
Life expectancy in Clay County is 77.2 years. The South Dakota state average is 75.4 years, making Clay County above the state average.
How does Clay County health compare to the South Dakota average?
Clay County's health score of 66/100 is above the South Dakota average of 60/100. Life expectancy is 77.2 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 10.1% vs. 11.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Clay County?
Key health factors for Clay County include: life expectancy (77.2 years), uninsured rate (10.1%), and primary care physician access (46:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 117:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Clay County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 66/100 ("Average"), Clay County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in South Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.2 years. 10.1% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Clay County healthier than the South Dakota average?
Clay County's health score of 66/100 exceeds the South Dakota average of 60/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Clay County has better primary care access (46:1 ratio) than the state average (62:1).

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.