Shelby County Health Data
Shelby County, Alabama
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
81/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
79.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.4 yr
State avg 72.1 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.6%
State avg 11.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
77
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
132
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.6%
State avg 23.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
22.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 77.1 per 100K
Dentists
4.8
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
6.2
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 Shelby County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 31.6% | 41.9% | 37.6% | 10.3 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.6% | 13.9% | 11.2% | 4.3 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 36.4% | 41.7% | 33.5% | 5.3 pts better than state |
| Depression | 22.3% | 24.7% | 24.1% | 2.4 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 10.6% | 18.0% | 16.3% | 7.4 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 17.7% | 14.8% | 17.8% | 2.9 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 19.9% | 30.8% | 27.0% | 10.9 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 78.0% | 78.7% | 74.9% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 67.1% | 52.5% | 57.3% | 14.6 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 80.3% | 75.2% | 73.3% | 5.1 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Shelby | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 15.4% | 19.4% | 18.6% | 4.0 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 35.1% | 41.8% | 37.3% | 6.7 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Shelby County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Shelby County life expectancy exceeds state and national averages
Health data brief for Shelby County, Alabama.
Life expectancy in Shelby County is 79.4 years, notably higher than the Alabama average of 72.1 years and the national average of 77 years. The county reports an uninsured rate of 7.6%, which is lower than the statewide rate of 11.1% and the national average of 10%. Approximately 14.6% of adults in the county report being in poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the national mark of 17%. Primary care provider density is 77 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 70. However, mental health provider availability stands at 132 per 100,000, a figure that is lower than the national median of 250. These metrics provide a comparative snapshot of regional health indicators and professional availability. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Shelby County, Alabama
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 →Shelby Baptist Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Shelby County, AL?
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How does Shelby County health compare to the Alabama average?
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Why is Shelby County healthier than the Alabama average?
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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.