Dane County Health Data

Dane County, Wisconsin

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

95/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

80.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.6%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

80.8 yr

State avg 77.8 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

4.6%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

128

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

508

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

13.2%

State avg 16.2%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

14.9

per 100K residentsCDC: 128.0 per 100K

Dentists

6.0

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

8.9

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 Dane County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureDaneState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity33.4%38.9%37.6%5.5 pts better than state
Diabetes8.1%9.7%11.2%1.6 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure25.5%29.5%33.5%4.0 pts better than state
Depression24.2%24.6%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureDaneState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking10.4%15.5%16.3%5.1 pts better than state
Binge Drinking21.0%21.4%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity20.8%27.0%27.0%6.2 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureDaneState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup73.5%74.7%74.9%1.2 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)70.2%64.7%57.3%5.5 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)79.6%78.2%73.3%1.4 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureDaneState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress14.7%17.3%18.6%2.6 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration29.2%34.1%37.3%4.9 pts better than state

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

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

Data Story

Dane County mental health provider density doubles national average

Health data brief for Dane County, Wisconsin.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Dane County features 508 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a rate more than double the national median of 250 per 100,000. This high concentration of providers is also reflected in the primary care sector, where the county reports 128 providers per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national median of 70. Other indicators show residents living longer than state and national averages, with a life expectancy of 80.8 years compared to Wisconsin’s 77.8 years and the national 77 years. The uninsured rate is 4.6%, which is lower than the state rate of 7.0% and less than half of the national 10% rate. Only 13.2% of residents report being in poor or fair health, which is lower than the national average of 17%. These statistics are compiled from provider registry data and federal population surveys to assist in comparing regional healthcare resources. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Dane County, Wisconsin

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.

Madison Va Medical Center

ER
5/5
(608) 256-1901
2500 Overlook Terrace, Madison, WI 53705
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationVeterans Health Administration

Unitypoint Health - Meriter

ER
5/5
(608) 417-6210
202 S Park St, Madison, WI 53715
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

University of Wi Hospitals & Clinics Authority

ER
5/5
(608) 263-6400
600 Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792
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 Dane County, WI?
Dane County has a health score of 95/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #4 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 Dane County?
Life expectancy in Dane County is 80.8 years. The Wisconsin state average is 77.8 years, making Dane County above the state average.
How does Dane County health compare to the Wisconsin average?
Dane County's health score of 95/100 is above the Wisconsin average of 74/100. Life expectancy is 80.8 years vs. the state average of 77.8 years. The uninsured rate is 4.6% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Dane County?
Key health factors for Dane County include: life expectancy (80.8 years), uninsured rate (4.6%), and primary care physician access (128:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 508:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Dane County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 95/100 ("Excellent"), Dane County is one of the healthier counties in Wisconsin. Residents have a life expectancy of 80.8 years. 4.6% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Dane County healthier than the Wisconsin average?
Dane County's health score of 95/100 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.

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.