The numbers behind Medicare in Castro County
| Castro County | Texas | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 1,242 | 4,188,063 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 17.2% | 13.7% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 1,295 | 5,048,909 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 509 | 2,770,279 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 39.3% | 54.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 1,242 residents age 65 and older, Castro County is 187th among 254 Texas counties for older residents. That group is 17.2% of its population, compared with 13.7% across Texas. Another 424 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). By age, the 65-and-older group splits 58% ages 65 to 74, 29% ages 75 to 84 and 13% age 85 and up (Census 2023). About 39.3% of people with Medicare in Castro County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the Texas average of 54.9%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Castro County
Castro County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 1,287 Medicare beneficiaries in Castro County (2023). Their average age is 75, older than the Texas average of 73. About 13% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 11%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Castro County, CMS reported about 698 emergency room visits and 253 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (580) and higher than it for hospital stays (226). About 8% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Castro County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Castro County; we help Castro County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Castro County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Castro County:
- Plains Memorial Hospital — Dimmitt (critical access; government-owned; no emergency department)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Communities and ZIP codes in Castro County
Census Bureau 2023 estimates put the biggest communities in Castro County at Dimmitt (4,071), Hart (855), Nazareth (304), counting only the part of each community inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Castro County, that means areas such as 79027, 79043, 79063, 79085, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Castro County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Texas Department of Insurance: Texas’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Castro County residents
Here is what we can help Castro County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance and annuities.
Ready to compare plans in Castro County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- When can you switch Medicare plans? Every enrollment window
- What Medicare Part D actually costs
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Castro County compared with similar Texas counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mason County | 1,248 | 34.2% | 9% | Rural |
| Mills County | 1,284 | 40.4% | 11% | Rural |
| Haskell County | 1,199 | 33.1% | 16% | Rural |
| Swisher County | 1,188 | 41.3% | 12% | Rural |
| Brooks County | 1,162 | 71.1% | 37% | Rural |
| Childress County | 1,151 | 43.2% | 17% | Rural |
See every Texas county in our Texas directory or go to our Texas Medicare hub.