Sussex County Health Data

Sussex County, Delaware

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

70/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.1 yr

State avg 76.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.4%

State avg 7.3%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

61

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

231

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

15.5%

State avg 16.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

17.4

per 100K residentsCDC: 61.4 per 100K

Dentists

2.8

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

10.1

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 Sussex County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureSussexState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity34.2%37.2%37.6%3.0 pts better than state
Diabetes9.8%11.0%11.2%1.2 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure32.8%33.6%33.5%0.8 pts better than state
Depression22.4%22.4%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureSussexState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.6%13.5%16.3%1.1 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking16.9%15.8%17.8%1.1 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity25.2%26.9%27.0%1.7 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureSussexState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup78.6%79.0%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)60.6%61.6%57.3%1.0 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)80.4%77.2%73.3%3.2 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureSussexState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress16.5%17.2%18.6%0.7 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration35.3%37.6%37.3%2.3 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Sussex County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Sussex County Uninsured Rate Higher Than Delaware State Average

Health data brief for Sussex County, Delaware.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

In Sussex County, 8.4% of the population lacks health insurance, a rate that is higher than the Delaware state average of 7.3%. This figure remains lower than the national average of approximately 10%. The county reports a life expectancy of 77.1 years, which is higher than the state average of 76.4 years and mirrors the national average of 77 years. About 15.5% of adults in Sussex County report poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the national average of 17%. Regarding healthcare access, the county has 61 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, falling below the national median of 70. There are 231 mental health providers per 100,000 people, compared to the national median of 250. These details are reported in the latest health provider census. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Sussex County, Delaware

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.

Tidalhealth Nanticoke, Inc.

ER
3/5
(302) 629-6611
801 Middleford Rd, Seaford, DE 19973
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Beebe Medical Center

ER
3/5
(302) 645-3300
424 Savannah Rd, Lewes, DE 19958
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus

ER
3/5
(302) 422-3311
100 Wellness Way, Milford, DE 19963
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Sussex County, DE?
Sussex County has a health score of 70/100, rated "Average." It ranks #2 out of 3 counties in Delaware (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Sussex County?
Life expectancy in Sussex County is 77.1 years. The Delaware state average is 76.4 years, making Sussex County above the state average.
How does Sussex County health compare to the Delaware average?
Sussex County's health score of 70/100 is above the Delaware average of 69/100. Life expectancy is 77.1 years vs. the state average of 76.4 years. The uninsured rate is 8.4% vs. 7.3% statewide.
What health factors affect Sussex County?
Key health factors for Sussex County include: life expectancy (77.1 years), uninsured rate (8.4%), and primary care physician access (61:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 231:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Sussex County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 70/100 ("Average"), Sussex County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Delaware. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.1 years. 8.4% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Sussex County healthier than the Delaware average?
Sussex County's health score of 70/100 exceeds the Delaware average of 69/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Sussex County has better primary care access (61:1 ratio) than the state average (66:1).

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.