Nicholas County Health Data
Nicholas County, Kentucky
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
39/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
72.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
72.7 yr
State avg 72.2 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.1%
State avg 7.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
13
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
39
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.8%
State avg 23.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
13.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 13.0 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 Nicholas County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Nicholas | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | — | — | 37.6% | — |
| Diabetes | — | — | 11.2% | — |
| High Blood Pressure | — | — | 33.5% | — |
| Depression | — | — | 24.1% | — |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Nicholas | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | — | — | 16.3% | — |
| Binge Drinking | — | — | 17.8% | — |
| Physical Inactivity | — | — | 27.0% | — |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Nicholas | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | — | — | 74.9% | — |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 53.8% | 53.9% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 73.1% | 71.3% | 73.3% | 1.8 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Nicholas | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | — | — | 18.6% | — |
| Short Sleep Duration | 41.8% | 41.7% | 37.3% | near state average |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Nicholas 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
Nicholas County primary care provider availability trails national median
Health data brief for Nicholas County, Kentucky.
Nicholas County has 13 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a figure substantially lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000. For mental health services, the county reports 39 providers per 100,000 residents, compared to the national median of 250. The county’s life expectancy is 72.7 years, which is similar to the Kentucky state average of 72.2 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. About 23.8% of residents report poor or fair health, exceeding the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate is 7.1%, which is comparable to the state average of 7.0% and lower than the national average of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Nicholas 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 Nicholas 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.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.