Mellette County Health Data

Mellette County, South Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

9/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

61.6 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

61.6 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.4%

State avg 11.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Poor / Fair Health

26.0%

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 Mellette County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureMelletteState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity46.2%37.2%37.6%9.0 pts worse than state
Diabetes18.3%11.1%11.2%7.2 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure38.8%30.7%33.5%8.1 pts worse than state
Depression23.6%21.9%24.1%1.7 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureMelletteState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking31.6%18.3%16.3%13.3 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking16.2%19.9%17.8%3.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity37.5%25.3%27.0%12.2 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureMelletteState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.4%73.6%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)51.0%64.7%57.3%13.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)67.0%75.1%73.3%8.1 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureMelletteState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress21.9%17.2%18.6%4.7 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration38.3%31.9%37.3%6.4 pts worse than state

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

Life Expectancy in Mellette County Significantly Below State Average

Health data brief for Mellette County, South Dakota.

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

Life expectancy in Mellette County is 61.6 years, which is notably lower than the South Dakota average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. Approximately 26.0% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, which is higher than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate stands at 14.4%, a figure that exceeds the state average of 11.1% and the national average of 10%. Data for primary care and mental health providers in the county is not currently available through reporting sources. These metrics provide a snapshot of health indicators relative to regional and national figures. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Mellette 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 Mellette 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.

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 Mellette County, SD?
Mellette County has a health score of 9/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #62 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 Mellette County?
Life expectancy in Mellette County is 61.6 years. The South Dakota state average is 75.4 years, making Mellette County below the state average.
How does Mellette County health compare to the South Dakota average?
Mellette County's health score of 9/100 is below the South Dakota average of 60/100. Life expectancy is 61.6 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 14.4% vs. 11.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Mellette County?
Key health factors for Mellette County include: life expectancy (61.6 years), uninsured rate (14.4%), and primary care physician access (—). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Mellette County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 9/100 ("Below Average"), Mellette County faces health challenges compared to other counties in South Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 61.6 years. 14.4% 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 Mellette County?
Mellette County's health score of 9/100 is below the South Dakota average of 60/100. The uninsured rate of 14.4% 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.