Powell County Health Data

Powell County, Kentucky

Health Score

35/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

68.6 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

68.6 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

6.2%

State avg 7.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

8

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

116

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Powell County, Kentucky

Powell County's health lags national pace

Powell County's life expectancy of 68.6 years runs 5.9 years behind the U.S. average of 74.5 years. The county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate, while among the better in its region, still exceeds the national average of 17.9%.

Below average but closer to state mean

Powell County's life expectancy of 68.6 years sits 3.6 years below Kentucky's 72.2-year average, putting it in the lower tier of state health outcomes. The 23.8% poor/fair health rate is slightly better than many neighboring counties, suggesting some resilience in population health.

Health outcomes comparable to neighbors

Powell County's life expectancy of 68.6 years closely mirrors Pike County (69.3) and Rockcastle County (69.2), with all three counties facing similar health challenges. The county's 23.8% poor/fair health rate ranks favorably within the region, placing it among the healthier neighbors.

Severe primary care provider shortage

Powell County has just 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a critical shortfall compared to the national average of 65 per 100K—forcing residents to travel for routine medical care. Mental health providers are also scarce at 116 per 100K, yet the uninsured rate of 6.2% is below state average, suggesting coverage exists but access remains a barrier.

Secure coverage to access care

With only 6.2% of Powell County uninsured, most residents have coverage—but provider scarcity makes using that coverage difficult. Confirm your insurance status at healthcare.gov and ask about telehealth options or provider networks that extend beyond the county.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Powell County, KY?
Powell County has a health score of 35/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #72 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 Powell County?
Life expectancy in Powell County is 68.6 years. The Kentucky state average is 72.2 years, making Powell County below the state average.
How does Powell County health compare to the Kentucky average?
Powell County's health score of 35/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 68.6 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 6.2% vs. 7.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Powell County?
Key health factors for Powell County include: life expectancy (68.6 years), uninsured rate (6.2%), and primary care physician access (8:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 116:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Powell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 35/100 ("Below Average"), Powell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Kentucky. Residents have a life expectancy of 68.6 years. 6.2% 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 Powell County?
Powell County's health score of 35/100 is below the Kentucky average of 41/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.