Starr County Health Data

Starr County, Texas

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

12/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

25.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.9 yr

State avg 74.3 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

25.0%

State avg 19.8%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

26

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

32

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

37.8%

State avg 23.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

18.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 25.7 per 100K

Dentists

3.0

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

6.1

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 Starr County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureStarrState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity45.8%37.7%37.6%8.1 pts worse than state
Diabetes20.5%12.6%11.2%7.9 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure37.5%33.6%33.5%3.9 pts worse than state
Depression21.0%22.9%24.1%1.9 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureStarrState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking17.6%15.1%16.3%2.5 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking14.3%18.0%17.8%3.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity47.6%30.2%27.0%17.4 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureStarrState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup70.7%72.2%74.9%1.5 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)36.6%51.0%57.3%14.4 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)66.8%70.6%73.3%3.8 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureStarrState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.2%18.5%18.6%0.7 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration42.7%39.4%37.3%3.3 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Starr County nationally on physical inactivity.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Poor and Fair Health Rates in Starr County Exceed National Norms

Health data brief for Starr County, Texas.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

Starr County reports that 37.8% of adults are in poor or fair health, a rate more than double the national average of 17%. The county also shows an uninsured rate of 25.0%, which is higher than the Texas average of 19.8% and two-and-a-half times the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in the county is 73.9 years, slightly below the state average of 74.3 and the national average of 77. Access to providers shows 26 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 32 mental health providers per 100,000, both significantly below national medians of 70 and 250, respectively. These data points provide a factual summary of health conditions according to federal reports. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Starr 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.

Starr County Memorial Hospital

ER
2/5
(956) 487-5561
128 N Fm Rd 3167, Rio Grande City, TX 78582
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Starr County, TX?
Starr County has a health score of 12/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #200 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 Starr County?
Life expectancy in Starr County is 73.9 years. The Texas state average is 74.3 years, making Starr County below the state average.
How does Starr County health compare to the Texas average?
Starr County's health score of 12/100 is below the Texas average of 25/100. Life expectancy is 73.9 years vs. the state average of 74.3 years. The uninsured rate is 25.0% vs. 19.8% statewide.
What health factors affect Starr County?
Key health factors for Starr County include: life expectancy (73.9 years), uninsured rate (25.0%), and primary care physician access (26:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 32:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Starr County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 12/100 ("Below Average"), Starr County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Texas. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.9 years. 25.0% 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 Starr County?
Starr County's health score of 12/100 is below the Texas average of 25/100. The uninsured rate of 25.0% 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.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.