Bay County Health Data

Bay County, Florida

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

43/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.2 yr

State avg 75.8 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.7%

State avg 14.4%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

58

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

280

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

16.9%

State avg 19.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

17.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 57.5 per 100K

Dentists

2.2

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

10.5

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 Bay County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBayState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity33.2%34.8%37.6%1.6 pts better than state
Diabetes10.0%11.4%11.2%1.4 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure33.5%33.2%33.5%near state average
Depression21.5%19.3%24.1%2.2 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBayState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.7%15.5%16.3%0.8 pts better than state
Binge Drinking18.3%17.0%17.8%1.3 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.2%26.2%27.0%2.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBayState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.0%75.1%74.9%1.1 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)58.1%53.5%57.3%4.6 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.5%73.1%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureBayState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.9%18.8%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration40.1%39.4%37.3%0.7 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Bay 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

Bay County Life Expectancy Shorter Than State and National Averages

Health data brief for Bay County, Florida.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Residents of Bay County have an average life expectancy of 74.2 years, which is less than the Florida average of 75.8 years and the national average of 77 years. This metric stands out alongside a primary care provider ratio of 58 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. However, mental health provider availability in the county is 280 per 100,000, exceeding the national median of 250. The county's uninsured rate is 13.7%, slightly lower than the Florida state average of 14.4% but higher than the 10% national average. About 16.9% of residents report poor or fair health, which is consistent with the national average of 17%. These figures provide a snapshot of the health landscape in the Panhandle region. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Bay County, Florida

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.

Ascension Sacred Heart Bay

ER
3/5
(850) 769-1511
615 N Bonita Ave, Panama City, FL 32401
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Hca Florida Gulf Coast Hospital

ER
2/5
(850) 747-7926
449 W 23rd St, Panama City, FL 32405
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

Emerald Coast Behavioral Hospital

Not rated by CMS
(850) 763-0017
1940 Harrison Ave, Panama City, FL 32405
PsychiatricProprietary

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 Bay County, FL?
Bay County has a health score of 43/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #33 out of 67 counties in Florida (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 Bay County?
Life expectancy in Bay County is 74.2 years. The Florida state average is 75.8 years, making Bay County below the state average.
How does Bay County health compare to the Florida average?
Bay County's health score of 43/100 is above the Florida average of 42/100. Life expectancy is 74.2 years vs. the state average of 75.8 years. The uninsured rate is 13.7% vs. 14.4% statewide.
What health factors affect Bay County?
Key health factors for Bay County include: life expectancy (74.2 years), uninsured rate (13.7%), and primary care physician access (58:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 280:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Bay County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 43/100 ("Below Average"), Bay County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Florida. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.2 years. 13.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Bay County healthier than the Florida average?
Bay County's health score of 43/100 exceeds the Florida average of 42/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

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.