Dawson County Health Data
Dawson County, Texas
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
Data Story
About Health in Dawson County, Texas
Dawson faces a life expectancy gap
Dawson County residents live 70.7 years on average—3.6 years less than the U.S. average of 74.3 years and a concerning 11.6-year gap compared to some Texas peers. Nearly three in ten residents report poor or fair health, signaling systemic health challenges across the county.
Among Texas's healthiest challenges
At 70.7 years, Dawson County ranks well below Texas's 74.3-year average life expectancy, placing it in the lower tier of Texas counties. The 30.3% poor/fair health rate—50% higher than the state average—reveals concentrated health struggles in this West Texas community.
Rural isolation compounds health gaps
Dawson County's 70.7-year life expectancy trails nearby Dimmit (71.0 years) and significantly lags Denton (80.7 years), just a few hours away. Critically, Dawson has only 8 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—27 times fewer than Dallas County—leaving residents with untreated depression and anxiety.
Provider shortage limits daily care
With just 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 8 mental health providers per 100,000, Dawson County residents often travel hours for routine care. The 22.1% uninsured rate compounds access problems, as uninsured residents often skip preventive visits and manage chronic conditions poorly.
Seek coverage and preventive care
Dawson County's 22.1% uninsured rate means thousands lack the routine care that could extend life and improve health. Enroll at healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find Medicaid or marketplace plans—early intervention can close the life expectancy gap.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.