Dawson County Health Data

Dawson County, Texas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

5/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

22.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.7 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

22.1%

State avg 19.8%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

40

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

8

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

30.3%

State avg 23.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

56.9

per 100K residentsCDC: 40.3 per 100K

Dentists

8.1

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 Dawson County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.0%37.7%37.6%2.3 pts worse than state
Diabetes15.3%12.6%11.2%2.7 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure36.1%33.6%33.5%2.5 pts worse than state
Depression21.1%22.9%24.1%1.8 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking17.6%15.1%16.3%2.5 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking17.3%18.0%17.8%0.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity36.8%30.2%27.0%6.6 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup70.5%72.2%74.9%1.7 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)42.3%51.0%57.3%8.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)67.0%70.6%73.3%3.6 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDawsonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration41.0%39.4%37.3%1.6 pts worse than state

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

Dawson County Mental Health Provider Ratio Tracks Low At Eight

Health data brief for Dawson County, Texas.

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

In Dawson County, there are 8 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Public health records indicate a life expectancy of 70.7 years, which is shorter than the Texas average of 74.3 years and the national average of 77 years. Additionally, 30.3% of adults report poor or fair health, nearly double the national rate of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county stands at 22.1%, compared to 19.8% across Texas and 10% nationally. Primary care availability is 40 providers per 100,000 residents, whereas the national median is 70 per 100,000. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Dawson 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.

Medical Arts Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(806) 872-2183
2200 N Bryan Ave, Lamesa, TX 79331
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

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 Dawson County, TX?
Dawson County has a health score of 5/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #248 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 Dawson County?
Life expectancy in Dawson County is 70.7 years. The Texas state average is 74.3 years, making Dawson County below the state average.
How does Dawson County health compare to the Texas average?
Dawson County's health score of 5/100 is below the Texas average of 25/100. Life expectancy is 70.7 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 22.1% vs. 19.8% statewide.
What health factors affect Dawson County?
Key health factors for Dawson County include: life expectancy (70.7 years), uninsured rate (22.1%), and primary care physician access (40:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 8:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Dawson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 5/100 ("Below Average"), Dawson County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Texas. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.7 years. 22.1% 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 Dawson County?
Dawson County's health score of 5/100 is below the Texas average of 25/100. The uninsured rate of 22.1% 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.