Karnes County Health Data
Karnes County, Texas
Health Score
17/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
18.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.1 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
18.3%
State avg 19.8%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
27
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
13
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Karnes County, Texas
Karnes near U.S. life expectancy standard
At 74.1 years, Karnes County residents live close to the U.S. average of 76.4 years, though still 2.3 years behind. With 26.8% reporting poor or fair health—nearly 6 percentage points above the national average—the county shows higher chronic disease prevalence despite near-average longevity. This South Texas Brush Country county reflects mixed health patterns typical of economically transitioning rural areas.
Just below Texas average, mid-pack rank
At 74.1 years, Karnes County falls just 0.2 years short of Texas's state average of 74.3 years, placing it squarely in the middle of Texas health outcomes. Its 26.8% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state average by a few percentage points, reflecting economic stress and chronic disease common to rural South Texas. With fewer than 16,000 residents, Karnes represents small-county health trends often overlooked statewide.
Mid-tier in Brush Country region
Karnes (74.1 years) sits between Jim Wells County (71.2 years) and Atascosa County (74.8 years), with 27 primary care providers per 100K—middle-of-the-pack for its rural peers. Its 13 mental health providers per 100K is among the lowest in South Texas, alongside Jones County (25 per 100K) and Jim Hogg (none reported). Regional medical centers in San Antonio (45 miles away) serve as referral hubs.
Adequate insurance, stretched providers
Karnes has the lowest uninsured rate among peers at 18.3%—below the state average of 19.8%—yet only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and just 13 mental health providers per 100K. South Texas Health Center operates a clinic in Karnes, offering sliding-scale care, but wait times exceed state norms. Many residents manage chronic conditions with limited local mental health support, relying on San Antonio providers 45+ minutes away.
Explore coverage and telehealth options
Karnes residents should apply for Medicaid at yourtexasbenefits.com (income limit ~$20,000 for individuals) and explore Marketplace plans at healthcare.gov. South Texas Health Center offers enrollment assistance and sliding-scale services regardless of insurance status. For mental health support, platforms like BetterHelp and state-funded crisis lines (call 988) bridge gaps in local provider availability.
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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.