Carter County Health Data
Carter County, Kentucky
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
32/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
70.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
70.4 yr
State avg 72.2 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.5%
State avg 7.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
19
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
182
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.3%
State avg 23.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
22.6
per 100K residentsCDC: 18.9 per 100K
Dentists
7.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
11.3
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 Carter County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Carter | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | — | — | 37.6% | — |
| Diabetes | — | — | 11.2% | — |
| High Blood Pressure | — | — | 33.5% | — |
| Depression | — | — | 24.1% | — |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Carter | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | — | — | 16.3% | — |
| Binge Drinking | — | — | 17.8% | — |
| Physical Inactivity | — | — | 27.0% | — |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Carter | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | — | — | 74.9% | — |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 53.6% | 53.9% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 66.7% | 71.3% | 73.3% | 4.6 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Carter | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | — | — | 18.6% | — |
| Short Sleep Duration | 40.9% | 41.7% | 37.3% | 0.8 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Carter 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
Carter County Primary Care Availability Significantly Lower Than National Median
Health data brief for Carter County, Kentucky.
Carter County has 19 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is well below the national median of 70 per 100,000. Conversely, the county has 182 mental health providers per 100,000, which is closer to, but still below, the national median of 250. The life expectancy in the county is 70.4 years, trailing the Kentucky state average of 72.2 years and the national average of 77 years. About 23.3% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to the 17% national average. The uninsured rate stands at 7.5%, which is slightly higher than the state average of 7.0% but lower than the 10% national average. These metrics highlight health infrastructure and population health status in the county. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Carter County, Kentucky
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
No CMS Care Compare hospital is located in Carter County.
This is common in low-population rural counties. Residents typically travel to a hospital in a neighboring county or larger metro. Use Medicare.gov Care Compare to find rated hospitals statewide or contact a federally-funded community health center for primary and preventive care.
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Carter County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Kentucky.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Carter County, KY?
What is the life expectancy in Carter County?
How does Carter County health compare to the Kentucky average?
What health factors affect Carter County?
Is Carter County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Carter 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.