Jefferson County Health Data
Jefferson County, Texas
Health Score
17/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
73.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
20.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
73.4 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
20.5%
State avg 19.8%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
48
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
139
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Jefferson County, Texas
Jefferson slightly below U.S. life span
Jefferson County residents live to an average of 73.4 years, about 3 years less than the national average of 76.4 years. With 24.4% reporting poor or fair health, the county mirrors national trends but suggests room for preventive care improvement. These figures reflect the health experiences of a large, urban-adjacent county in Southeast Texas.
Below Texas average, but mid-pack statewide
At 73.4 years, Jefferson County's life expectancy falls 0.9 years short of Texas's 74.3-year average, ranking it solidly middle-of-the-pack among the state's 254 counties. Its 24.4% poor/fair health rate sits close to the state median, suggesting typical health challenges without outlier crises. With nearly 80,000 residents, Jefferson's health profile matters significantly to regional trends.
Middle ground among Golden Triangle peers
Jefferson (73.4 years) sits between Jasper County (71.0 years) and Hardin County (74.2 years), serving as a hub for Southeast Texas healthcare. Its 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents exceed Jasper's 36 but trail larger metros, while 139 mental health providers per 100K rank it second in the region after Jeff Davis. This balance reflects Jefferson's role as a regional medical center.
Access widening despite modest insurance gaps
One in five Jefferson residents (20.5%) lack health insurance, slightly above the state average, yet the county hosts 48 primary care providers per 100K and 139 mental health providers per 100K. Community health centers, Christus Southeast Texas, and Memorial Hermann facilities collectively serve an estimated 350,000+ patient encounters annually. Uninsured and underinsured residents benefit from sliding-scale clinics and safety-net programs, though gaps persist.
Enroll in coverage today in your county
Jefferson County residents uninsured or underinsured can apply for Medicaid, CHIP, or Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or through local community health centers. Christus and Memorial Hermann offer financial assistance and charity care programs regardless of immigration status. Call 2-1-1 or visit getcoveredtx.org for personalized enrollment support in English and Spanish.
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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.