Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Texas
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
11/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
70.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
19.0%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
70.1 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
19.0%
State avg 19.8%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
48
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
65
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.4%
State avg 23.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
23.2
per 100K residentsCDC: 48.2 per 100K
Dentists
1.9
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
15.4
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 Polk County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.3% | 37.7% | 37.6% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 12.5% | 12.6% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 35.3% | 33.6% | 33.5% | 1.7 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 25.4% | 22.9% | 24.1% | 2.5 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 18.3% | 15.1% | 16.3% | 3.2 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 18.5% | 18.0% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 31.1% | 30.2% | 27.0% | 0.9 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 71.7% | 72.2% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 49.8% | 51.0% | 57.3% | 1.2 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 69.5% | 70.6% | 73.3% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 20.2% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 1.7 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 40.1% | 39.4% | 37.3% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on current cigarette smoking.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Polk County Life Expectancy Measured Seven Years Below National Average
Health data brief for Polk County, Texas.
Life expectancy in Polk County is 70.1 years, representing a gap compared to the Texas average of 74.3 years and the national average of 77 years. While the county’s uninsured rate of 19.0% is slightly lower than the state average of 19.8%, it remains higher than the national average of 10%. Self-reported health data indicates that 23.4% of residents are in poor or fair health, a rate that is higher than the national benchmark of 17%. In terms of clinical care access, there are 48 primary care providers per 100,000 people, which is lower than the national median of 70. The mental health provider ratio is 65 per 100,000, which is also below the national median of 250. These figures illustrate the health outcomes and resource availability currently documented in the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk 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 →Chi St Lukes Health Memorial Livingston
EReHealth Insurance
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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.