Buffalo County Health Data

Buffalo County, Wisconsin

Health Score

88/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

81.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

81.7 yr

State avg 77.8 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.4%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

23

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

15

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Buffalo County, Wisconsin

Life expectancy leads national peers

Buffalo County residents live to 81.7 years on average—nearly 4 years longer than the U.S. life expectancy of roughly 78 years. With just 14.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county ranks among America's healthiest communities.

Tops Wisconsin's life expectancy rankings

At 81.7 years, Buffalo County has the highest life expectancy in Wisconsin, exceeding the state average of 77.8 years by nearly 4 years. This exceptional outcome places the county among the nation's healthiest regions.

Dramatically outperforms surrounding areas

Buffalo County's 81.7-year life expectancy far exceeds neighboring Trempealeau, Jackson, and Pepin counties by 2-6 years. This regional health advantage is one of Wisconsin's most striking geographic disparities, suggesting unique protective factors in Buffalo.

Exceptional health despite provider gaps

Buffalo County has just 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 15 mental health providers per 100,000—among Wisconsin's lowest ratios. Yet with a 6.4% uninsured rate and 81.7-year life expectancy, the county achieves remarkable health outcomes suggesting strong community factors beyond provider supply.

Maintain Buffalo's health advantage

6.4% of Buffalo County residents lack health insurance, below state average. Continue supporting the county's exceptional health trajectory by ensuring your family has coverage through BadgerCare+ or marketplace plans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Buffalo County, WI?
Buffalo County has a health score of 88/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #11 out of 72 counties in Wisconsin (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 Buffalo County?
Life expectancy in Buffalo County is 81.7 years. The Wisconsin state average is 77.8 years, making Buffalo County above the state average.
How does Buffalo County health compare to the Wisconsin average?
Buffalo County's health score of 88/100 is above the Wisconsin average of 74/100. Life expectancy is 81.7 years vs. the state average of 77.8 years. The uninsured rate is 6.4% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Buffalo County?
Key health factors for Buffalo County include: life expectancy (81.7 years), uninsured rate (6.4%), and primary care physician access (23:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 15:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Buffalo County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 88/100 ("Excellent"), Buffalo County is one of the healthier counties in Wisconsin. Residents have a life expectancy of 81.7 years. 6.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Buffalo County healthier than the Wisconsin average?
Buffalo County's health score of 88/100 exceeds the Wisconsin average of 74/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Buffalo County has better primary care access (23:1 ratio) than the state average (65:1).

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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.