Life Expectancy
South Dakota's average life expectancy is 77.0 years, below the national average of 78.4 years, with notable gaps on tribal reservations.
Age-adjusted death rate, all causes
1999–2017CDC National Center for Health Statistics, leading causes of death (1999–2017), all causes, age-adjusted.
Total deaths, all causes
1999–2017CDC National Center for Health Statistics, leading causes of death (1999–2017).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 77 | 78.4 |
- •Life expectancy varies sharply between South Dakota's urban centers and its nine tribal nations.
Healthcare Access
Sanford Health and Avera Health, the state's largest employers, anchor a healthcare system that serves a widely dispersed rural population across South Dakota.
Residents without health insurance
2009–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, civilian noninstitutionalized population, B27010 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Community hospitals per 924k residents | 51 | 0 |
- •Sanford Health, headquartered in Sioux Falls, is one of the largest rural health systems in the U.S.
Hospitals
South Dakota has 51 community hospitals, many of them small critical-access facilities serving rural counties and reservation communities.
Hospital jobs
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 622, annual average (FRED SMU46000006562200001).
Health care jobs (ambulatory, hospitals and nursing)
1990–2025BLS Current Employment Statistics, NAICS 621–623, annual average (FRED SMU46000006562000001).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Community hospitals | 51 | 0 |
- •Many South Dakota hospitals are federally designated critical-access facilities with 25 beds or fewer.
Insurance Coverage
About 9.9% of South Dakotans lack health insurance, higher than the 8.0% national uninsured rate, as the state has not expanded Medicaid as broadly as some neighbors.
Adults with any health care coverage
2011–2020CDC BRFSS, adults 18+ (question discontinued after 2020).
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Uninsured rate (%) | 9.9 | 8 |
- •South Dakota voters approved Medicaid expansion in 2022, which took effect in July 2023.
Obesity
South Dakota's adult obesity rate is 38.4%, well above the national rate of 33.5%, ranking among the higher rates in the country.
Adults with obesity
2011–2025CDC BRFSS via Chronic Disease Indicators, adults 18+.
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Obesity rate (%) | 38.4 | 33.5 |
- •South Dakota consistently ranks among the top-15 states for adult obesity prevalence.
Public Health Indicators
South Dakota reports about 11,200 births and 9,300 deaths annually, alongside health challenges including higher obesity and lower life expectancy than the U.S. average.
Adults who currently smoke
2011–2025CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, adults 18+.
| Indicator | South Dakota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Life expectancy (years) | 77 | 78.4 |
- •South Dakota's natural population growth (births minus deaths) remains positive at about 1,900 per year.