Mitchell County Health Data

Mitchell County, Texas

Health Score

16/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.3 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.7%

State avg 19.8%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

55

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Data Story

About Health in Mitchell County, Texas

Mitchell faces significant health headwinds

At 73.3 years, Mitchell County's life expectancy lags the U.S. average of 74.5 years, and the county's 26.9% poor/fair health rate far exceeds the national average of 18%. This combination signals a county facing serious chronic disease burden and health challenges that shorten lives. Mitchell residents experience substantially worse health outcomes than typical Americans, requiring urgent attention to health equity and access.

Lowest life expectancy in West Texas

Mitchell's 73.3-year life expectancy is well below Texas's 74.3-year average, making it a clear outlier statewide for premature mortality. The county's 26.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worst in the state, indicating high chronic disease prevalence. With a 16.7% uninsured rate—actually better than state average—coverage is not the primary problem; health disparities and access to quality care are.

Mitchell lags far behind regional peers

Mitchell's 73.3-year life expectancy trails all neighbors: Midland (75.5), Mills (75.4), McLennan (75.3), and Medina (76.7)—a striking gap of 2-3 years. The county's 26.9% poor/fair health rate is the worst in its peer group, suggesting systemic health challenges beyond insurance coverage. Despite a relatively low uninsured rate (16.7%), Mitchell residents face the bleakest health profile in the region, pointing to deeper social and economic factors.

Moderate care access masks outcomes crisis

Mitchell offers 55 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a solid number on paper—yet the county's poor health outcomes suggest care quality or timeliness issues. Mental health provider data is unavailable, but the high rate of poor/fair health suggests behavioral health services may be inadequate. The disconnect between provider supply and health outcomes indicates Mitchell residents face barriers beyond simple access—poverty, education, and preventive care gaps likely play major roles.

Get covered and seek preventive care

Mitchell's 16.7% uninsured rate is competitive, yet health outcomes remain poor—if you're among the uninsured, coverage through healthcare.gov is step one. Once covered, prioritize preventive care: screenings, vaccinations, and chronic disease management can extend life and reduce the 26.9% poor/fair health rate dragging down the county. Your health plan is most valuable when used for prevention, not just emergencies.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Mitchell County, TX?
Mitchell County has a health score of 16/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #178 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 Mitchell County?
Life expectancy in Mitchell County is 73.3 years. The Texas state average is 74.3 years, making Mitchell County below the state average.
How does Mitchell County health compare to the Texas average?
Mitchell County's health score of 16/100 is below the Texas average of 25/100. Life expectancy is 73.3 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 16.7% vs. 19.8% statewide.
What health factors affect Mitchell County?
Key health factors for Mitchell County include: life expectancy (73.3 years), uninsured rate (16.7%), and primary care physician access (55:1 (population to primary care physicians)). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Mitchell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 16/100 ("Below Average"), Mitchell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Texas. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.3 years. 16.7% 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 Mitchell County?
Mitchell County's health score of 16/100 is below the Texas average of 25/100. The uninsured rate of 16.7% 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.

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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.