Perkins County Health Data

Perkins County, South Dakota

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

73/100

Average

Life Expectancy

78.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

78.7 yr

State avg 75.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.7%

State avg 11.1%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

36

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

212

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

11.3%

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 Perkins County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePerkinsState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity36.1%37.2%37.6%1.1 pts better than state
Diabetes10.0%11.1%11.2%1.1 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure29.1%30.7%33.5%1.6 pts better than state
Depression22.6%21.9%24.1%0.7 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePerkinsState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.9%18.3%16.3%1.4 pts better than state
Binge Drinking20.9%19.9%17.8%1.0 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity23.6%25.3%27.0%1.7 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePerkinsState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.2%73.6%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)71.6%64.7%57.3%6.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.2%75.1%73.3%1.9 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePerkinsState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.2%17.2%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration28.7%31.9%37.3%3.2 pts better than state

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

Perkins County Primary Care Ratios Diverge From National Medians

Health data brief for Perkins County, South Dakota.

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

Perkins County has 36 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, which is about half the national median of 70. Despite this provider density, life expectancy in the county is 78.7 years, exceeding both the South Dakota average of 75.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The mental health provider ratio is 212 per 100,000, lower than the national median of 250. The uninsured rate is 11.7%, higher than the state average of 11.1% and the national average of 10%. About 11.3% of residents report poor or fair health, which is better than the national average of 17%. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Perkins 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 Perkins 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 Perkins County, SD?
Perkins County has a health score of 73/100, rated "Average." It ranks #30 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 Perkins County?
Life expectancy in Perkins County is 78.7 years. The South Dakota state average is 75.4 years, making Perkins County above the state average.
How does Perkins County health compare to the South Dakota average?
Perkins County's health score of 73/100 is above the South Dakota average of 60/100. Life expectancy is 78.7 years vs. the state average of 75.4 years. The uninsured rate is 11.7% vs. 11.1% statewide.
What health factors affect Perkins County?
Key health factors for Perkins County include: life expectancy (78.7 years), uninsured rate (11.7%), and primary care physician access (36:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 212:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Perkins County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 73/100 ("Average"), Perkins County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in South Dakota. Residents have a life expectancy of 78.7 years. 11.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Perkins County healthier than the South Dakota average?
Perkins 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. Perkins County has better primary care access (36:1 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.