Pennington County Health Data
Pennington County, South Dakota
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
63/100
Average
Life Expectancy
76.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.1 yr
State avg 75.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.8%
State avg 11.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
114
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
357
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.4%
State avg 16.0%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
24.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 113.6 per 100K
Dentists
3.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
25.0
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 Pennington County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Pennington | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 33.7% | 37.2% | 37.6% | 3.5 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.9% | 11.1% | 11.2% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.9% | 30.7% | 33.5% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| Depression | 21.9% | 21.9% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Pennington | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.4% | 18.3% | 16.3% | 2.9 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 22.6% | 19.9% | 17.8% | 2.7 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.3% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 3.0 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Pennington | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 73.6% | 73.6% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 66.5% | 64.7% | 57.3% | 1.8 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 76.2% | 75.1% | 73.3% | 1.1 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Pennington | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.0% | 17.2% | 18.6% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 32.7% | 31.9% | 37.3% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Pennington County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Pennington County Exceeds National Median for Mental Health Provider Access
Health data brief for Pennington County, South Dakota.
Pennington County reports 357 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, significantly surpassing the national median of 250. Primary care provider density is also higher than the national median of 70, with 114 providers per 100,000 residents. Life expectancy in the county is 76.1 years, which is slightly above the state average of 75.4 years but just under the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 10.8%, slightly lower than the state mark of 11.1% but higher than the 10% national average. About 14.4% of residents report poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Pennington 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
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Monument Health Rapid City Hospital
ERBlack Hills Surgical Hospital Llc
Same Day Surgery Center Llc
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Pennington County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in South Dakota.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Pennington County, SD?
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How does Pennington County health compare to the South Dakota average?
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Why is Pennington County healthier than the South Dakota average?
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.