McCreary County Health Data

McCreary County, Kentucky

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

23/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

69.6 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

69.6 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.0%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

6

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

129

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

30.7%

State avg 23.9%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

5.9

per 100K residentsCDC: 5.9 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

23.7

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 McCreary County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureMcCrearyState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.6%
Diabetes11.2%
High Blood Pressure33.5%
Depression24.1%

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureMcCrearyState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.3%
Binge Drinking17.8%
Physical Inactivity27.0%

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureMcCrearyState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup74.9%
Dental Visit (past year)45.2%53.9%57.3%8.7 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)66.4%71.3%73.3%4.9 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureMcCrearyState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%
Short Sleep Duration45.4%41.7%37.3%3.7 pts worse than state

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

McCreary County Records Primary Care Ratio Far Below National Norms

Health data brief for McCreary County, Kentucky.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Primary care access

Primary care provider access in McCreary County is measured at 6 providers per 100,000 residents, a figure significantly lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. Mental health provider access is also lower than the national median of 250, with 129 providers per 100,000 residents. The life expectancy in the county is 69.6 years, which is lower than the Kentucky average of 72.2 years and the national average of 77 years. Additionally, 30.7% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, nearly double the 17% national average. The uninsured rate for residents under age 65 is 8.0%, which is higher than the state average of 7.0% but lower than the 10% national average. Explore state-level health data.

Get Care in McCreary 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 McCreary 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.

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 McCreary County, KY?
McCreary County has a health score of 23/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #118 out of 120 counties in Kentucky (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 McCreary County?
Life expectancy in McCreary County is 69.6 years. The Kentucky state average is 72.2 years, making McCreary County below the state average.
How does McCreary County health compare to the Kentucky average?
McCreary County's health score of 23/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 69.6 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 8.0% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect McCreary County?
Key health factors for McCreary County include: life expectancy (69.6 years), uninsured rate (8.0%), and primary care physician access (6:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 129:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is McCreary County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 23/100 ("Below Average"), McCreary County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kentucky. Residents have a life expectancy of 69.6 years. 8.0% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in McCreary County?
McCreary County's health score of 23/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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.