Harris County Health Data
Harris County, Texas
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
30/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
77.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
22.2%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.3 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
22.2%
State avg 19.8%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
58
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
178
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
24.5%
State avg 23.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
18.0
per 100K residentsCDC: 58.2 per 100K
Dentists
4.8
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
8.3
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 Harris County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Harris | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 37.1% | 37.7% | 37.6% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 13.2% | 12.6% | 11.2% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.9% | 33.6% | 33.5% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| Depression | 19.5% | 22.9% | 24.1% | 3.4 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Harris | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 12.6% | 15.1% | 16.3% | 2.5 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.8% | 18.0% | 17.8% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 26.9% | 30.2% | 27.0% | 3.3 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Harris | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 73.3% | 72.2% | 74.9% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 49.8% | 51.0% | 57.3% | 1.2 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 73.3% | 70.6% | 73.3% | 2.7 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Harris | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.4% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 2.1 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 41.0% | 39.4% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Harris County nationally on depression.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Nearly One in Four Harris County Residents Report Limited Health
Health data brief for Harris County, Texas.
In Harris County, 24.5% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a rate higher than the national average of 17%. The county’s uninsured rate is 22.2%, which exceeds the Texas state average of 19.8% and is more than double the national average of 10%. For clinical care access, there are 58 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, falling below the national median of 70. Mental health provider access is also below the national median of 250, with Harris County reporting 178 providers per 100,000. Life expectancy for residents is 77.3 years, which is higher than the state average of 74.3 years and slightly above the national average of 77 years. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Harris 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Houston Methodist Hospital
ERHouston Methodist Baytown Hospital
ERHouston Methodist Clear Lake Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Harris County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Harris County, TX?
What is the life expectancy in Harris County?
How does Harris County health compare to the Texas average?
What health factors affect Harris County?
Is Harris County a healthy place to live?
Why is Harris County healthier than the Texas average?
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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.