Polk County Health Data
Polk County, Wisconsin
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
71/100
Average
Life Expectancy
77.8 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.8 yr
State avg 77.8 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
State avg 7.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
79
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
216
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.4%
State avg 16.2%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
19.9
per 100K residentsCDC: 79.2 per 100K
Dentists
26.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
8.8
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 | 35.2% | 38.9% | 37.6% | 3.7 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.2% | 9.7% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 28.8% | 29.5% | 33.5% | 0.7 pts better than state |
| Depression | 24.4% | 24.6% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.5% | 15.5% | 16.3% | 1.0 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 22.2% | 21.4% | 17.8% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.8% | 27.0% | 27.0% | 2.2 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 73.8% | 74.7% | 74.9% | 0.9 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 63.3% | 64.7% | 57.3% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 79.2% | 78.2% | 73.3% | 1.0 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Polk | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.0% | 17.3% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 30.5% | 34.1% | 37.3% | 3.6 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Polk County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Polk County primary care availability exceeds national median
Health data brief for Polk County, Wisconsin.
Polk County has 79 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a ratio that is higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. The life expectancy in the county is 77.8 years, which matches the Wisconsin state average exactly and remains higher than the national average of 77 years. Health statistics show that 17.4% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to a national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 7.1%, which is slightly higher than the state average of 7.0% but lower than the national average of 10%. Mental health provider availability is recorded at 216 per 100,000 residents, a figure lower than the national median of 250. These metrics are part of broader health tracking efforts reported by federal agencies. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Polk 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →St Croix Regional Medical Center
ERAmery Hospital & Clinic
ERLadd Memorial Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Polk County residents.
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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.