Bell County Health Data

Bell County, Texas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

35/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.5 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.4%

State avg 19.8%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

72

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

279

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

20.3%

State avg 23.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

10.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 72.2 per 100K

Dentists

5.0

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

6.3

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 Bell County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity43.5%37.7%37.6%5.8 pts worse than state
Diabetes13.0%12.6%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure34.1%33.6%33.5%near state average
Depression24.4%22.9%24.1%1.5 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking13.6%15.1%16.3%1.5 pts better than state
Binge Drinking15.2%18.0%17.8%2.8 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity29.8%30.2%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup76.1%72.2%74.9%3.9 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)56.0%51.0%57.3%5.0 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.9%70.6%73.3%4.3 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBellState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration42.6%39.4%37.3%3.2 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Bell County nationally on obesity.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Bell County Mental Health Provider Ratio Exceeds National Median

Health data brief for Bell County, Texas.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Bell County has 279 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national median of 250. The primary care provider ratio for the county is 72 per 100,000, which is just above the national median of 70. The life expectancy in Bell County is 75.5 years, which is higher than the Texas state average of 74.3 but lower than the national average of 77. The county's uninsured rate of 16.4% is lower than the state average of 19.8% but higher than the national average of 10%. Additionally, 20.3% of residents report their health as poor or fair, exceeding the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Bell County, Texas

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.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Temple

ER
5/5
(254) 724-2111
2401 S 31st St, Temple, TX 76508
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Temple Va Medical Center (va Central Texas Healthcare System)

ER
4/5
(254) 778-4811
1901 Veterans Memorial Drive, Temple, TX 76504
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationVeterans Health Administration

Seton Medical Center Harker Heights

ER
4/5
(254) 690-0900
850 W Central Texas Expressway, Harker Heights, TX 76548
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

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 Bell County, TX?
Bell County has a health score of 35/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #61 out of 254 counties in Texas (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 Bell County?
Life expectancy in Bell County is 75.5 years. The Texas state average is 74.3 years, making Bell County above the state average.
How does Bell County health compare to the Texas average?
Bell County's health score of 35/100 is above the Texas average of 25/100. Life expectancy is 75.5 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 16.4% vs. 19.8% statewide.
What health factors affect Bell County?
Key health factors for Bell County include: life expectancy (75.5 years), uninsured rate (16.4%), and primary care physician access (72:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 279:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 35/100 ("Below Average"), Bell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Texas. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.5 years. 16.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Bell County healthier than the Texas average?
Bell County's health score of 35/100 exceeds the Texas average of 25/100. 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.