Wheeler County Health Data
Wheeler County, Texas
Health Score
11/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
71.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
25.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
71.3 yr
State avg 74.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
25.7%
State avg 19.8%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
20
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
83
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Wheeler County, Texas
Wheeler faces significant longevity gap
At 71.3 years, Wheeler County residents live roughly 8 years less than the U.S. average of 79.3 years, placing the county among the nation's lowest life expectancy zones. Nearly one in four adults (23.6%) report poor or fair health, nearly matching the national rate of 21%.
Texas's shortest life expectancy county
Wheeler County's 71.3-year life expectancy is the lowest in Texas, trailing the state average of 74.3 years by 3 years. This dramatic gap signals deep health system challenges and population health risks that demand immediate attention.
Among the region's most struggling counties
Wheeler County (71.3 years) ranks lowest among its peers, including Wharton (73.7), Wichita (73.0), and Wilbarger (71.4) counties. Only Winkler County (71.2) comes close, and both face similar rural healthcare constraints and aging populations.
High uninsured rate, sparse primary care
Wheeler County has the highest uninsured rate in this group at 25.7%—nearly 6 percentage points above the state average of 19.8%—while primary care providers number just 20 per 100,000 residents. Mental health providers are relatively available at 83 per 100,000, but gaps in primary and preventive care leave many without routine healthcare access.
Insurance is a first step to better health
With one in four residents uninsured, Wheeler County residents can't afford to delay—visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to compare plans and find subsidies. Local health centers and county offices also offer free enrollment help to get coverage in place.
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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.