Hand County Health Data

Hand County, South Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

74/100

Average

Life Expectancy

78.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.5 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.3%

State avg 11.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

65

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Poor / Fair Health

12.6%

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 Hand County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureHandState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity34.4%37.2%37.6%2.8 pts better than state
Diabetes8.8%11.1%11.2%2.3 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure27.9%30.7%33.5%2.8 pts better than state
Depression21.5%21.9%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureHandState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking13.9%18.3%16.3%4.4 pts better than state
Binge Drinking21.3%19.9%17.8%1.4 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity20.5%25.3%27.0%4.8 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureHandState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.8%73.6%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)69.7%64.7%57.3%5.0 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)77.1%75.1%73.3%2.0 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureHandState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.7%17.2%18.6%1.5 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration31.9%31.9%37.3%near state average

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

Hand County Life Expectancy Higher Than State and National Benchmarks

Health data brief for Hand County, South Dakota.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Hand County is 78.5 years, exceeding the South Dakota average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. In terms of health status, 12.6% of adults report poor or fair health, which is lower than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 10.3%, which is lower than the state average of 11.1% and near the national average of 10%. Regarding clinical care, the primary care provider ratio is 65 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. No data was provided for mental health provider ratios in the county. These figures represent the documented health and provider metrics for the area. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Hand 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.

Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital and Clinic

ER
Not rated by CMS
(605) 853-2421
300 W 5th St, Miller, SD 57362
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 Hand County, SD?
Hand County has a health score of 74/100, rated "Average." It ranks #21 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 Hand County?
Life expectancy in Hand County is 78.5 years. The South Dakota state average is 75.4 years, making Hand County above the state average.
How does Hand County health compare to the South Dakota average?
Hand County's health score of 74/100 is above the South Dakota average of 60/100. Life expectancy is 78.5 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 10.3% vs. 11.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Hand County?
Key health factors for Hand County include: life expectancy (78.5 years), uninsured rate (10.3%), and primary care physician access (65:1 (population to primary care physicians)). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Hand County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 74/100 ("Average"), Hand County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in South Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.5 years. 10.3% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Hand County healthier than the South Dakota average?
Hand County's health score of 74/100 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.

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.