Custer County Health Data

Custer County, South Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

73/100

Average

Life Expectancy

81.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

81.5 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.0%

State avg 11.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

47

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

55

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

12.3%

State avg 16.0%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

23.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 46.5 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 Custer County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureCusterState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity33.6%37.2%37.6%3.6 pts better than state
Diabetes8.9%11.1%11.2%2.2 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure28.3%30.7%33.5%2.4 pts better than state
Depression21.4%21.9%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureCusterState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.4%18.3%16.3%3.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking20.9%19.9%17.8%1.0 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity21.9%25.3%27.0%3.4 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureCusterState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.8%73.6%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)70.6%64.7%57.3%5.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)75.2%75.1%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureCusterState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.6%17.2%18.6%1.6 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration29.4%31.9%37.3%2.5 pts better than state

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

Custer County Reports Low Rates of Poor General Health

Health data brief for Custer County, South Dakota.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

In Custer County, 12.3% of adults report being in poor or fair health, a figure lower than the national average of 17%. Life expectancy in the county is 81.5 years, which is higher than the South Dakota state average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 13.0%, higher than the state average of 11.1% and the national average of 10%. Regarding healthcare access, the county has 47 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. The mental health provider ratio is 55 per 100,000, compared to the national median of 250. These numbers are based on data from the CDC and the HHS National Plan & Provider Enumeration System. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Custer 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.

Monument Health Custer Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(605) 673-9400
1220 Montgomery Street, Custer, SD 57730
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 Custer County, SD?
Custer County has a health score of 73/100, rated "Average." It ranks #26 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 Custer County?
Life expectancy in Custer County is 81.5 years. The South Dakota state average is 75.4 years, making Custer County above the state average.
How does Custer County health compare to the South Dakota average?
Custer County's health score of 73/100 is above the South Dakota average of 60/100. Life expectancy is 81.5 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.0% vs. 11.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Custer County?
Key health factors for Custer County include: life expectancy (81.5 years), uninsured rate (13.0%), and primary care physician access (47:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 55:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Custer County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 73/100 ("Average"), Custer County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in South Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 81.5 years. 13.0% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Custer County healthier than the South Dakota average?
Custer County's health score of 73/100 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. Custer County has better primary care access (47:1 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.