WilCo ranked second-healthiest county in Texas

"For us, the county health ranking is not about comparing ourselves to other counties, but about how we can use data to evaluate and make ours the healthiest county we can be," Riggins said.

Marcus Cooper, communications and marketing director at Williamson County & Cities Health District, said the health district used the 2013 rankings for a local health assessment survey that asked residents about their health concerns, lifestyles, and access to health care. The district then wrote a report and has begun creating a countywide health improvement plan, he said.

The health district works with the WilCo Wellness Alliance, a coalition of local health care providers, school districts, businesses and government agencies, Cooper said.

"[The health plan] will set some goals as far as addressing issues like chronic disease, heart disease, diabetes, physical activity, [and promote] facilities to allow people to be more active and healthy," Cooper said.

The coalition can also promote its goals and strategies to other cities, he said.

"We know that we've been very fortunate here in Williamson County to have our coalition and a very good framework," Cooper said. "We've always been near the top and we're hoping to stay around that range next year. Our citizens are living longer, healthier lives."