Wilkes County Health Data
Wilkes County, Georgia
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
16/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
72.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
17.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
72.0 yr
State avg 73.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
17.7%
State avg 15.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
42
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
21
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.3%
State avg 21.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
10.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 42.0 per 100K
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 Wilkes County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Wilkes | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 40.9% | 38.6% | 37.6% | 2.3 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 14.4% | 13.3% | 11.2% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 39.5% | 37.7% | 33.5% | 1.8 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 20.7% | 21.1% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Wilkes | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 18.6% | 17.4% | 16.3% | 1.2 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 14.2% | 15.3% | 17.8% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 32.9% | 30.1% | 27.0% | 2.8 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Wilkes | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 77.4% | 76.8% | 74.9% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 50.5% | 53.8% | 57.3% | 3.3 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 73.7% | 73.6% | 73.3% | near state average |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Wilkes | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.9% | 19.4% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 41.2% | 39.7% | 37.3% | 1.5 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Wilkes 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
Mental Health Provider Shortage in Wilkes County
Health data brief for Wilkes County, Georgia.
Wilkes County has 21 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is nearly twelve times lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care is available at a rate of 42 providers per 100,000, compared to a national median of 70. Life expectancy is 72.0 years, shorter than the state average of 73.3 years and the national average of 77 years. About 23.3% of the population reports poor or fair health, a higher rate than the 17% national mark. The uninsured rate stands at 17.7%, exceeding the Georgia state average of 15.0%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Wilkes County, Georgia
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 →Wills Memorial Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Wilkes County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Georgia.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Wilkes County, GA?
What is the life expectancy in Wilkes County?
How does Wilkes County health compare to the Georgia average?
What health factors affect Wilkes County?
Is Wilkes County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Wilkes County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.