Penobscot County Health Data
Penobscot County, Maine
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
60/100
Average
Life Expectancy
75.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.3 yr
State avg 76.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.8%
State avg 9.4%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
136
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
668
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
15.9%
State avg 14.9%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
31.3
per 100K residentsCDC: 135.5 per 100K
Dentists
11.1
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
29.3
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 Penobscot County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Penobscot | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.3% | 33.8% | 37.6% | 4.5 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 9.5% | 9.1% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.7% | 30.1% | 33.5% | 2.6 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 29.9% | 28.9% | 24.1% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Penobscot | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.2% | 16.0% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 17.7% | 17.6% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 25.0% | 22.9% | 27.0% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Penobscot | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 79.8% | 78.2% | 74.9% | 1.6 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 59.4% | 61.5% | 57.3% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 81.2% | 78.8% | 73.3% | 2.4 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Penobscot | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 20.8% | 20.0% | 18.6% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 36.3% | 34.8% | 37.3% | 1.5 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Penobscot County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Mental Health Provider Levels High in Penobscot County
Health data brief for Penobscot County, Maine.
Penobscot County features a mental health provider ratio of 668 per 100,000 residents, a figure significantly higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. This provider density is the standout metric in the county’s current health profile. Life expectancy in the county is 75.3 years, which is shorter than the Maine state average of 76.7 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 8.8%, which is lower than both the state average of 9.4% and the national average of 10%. Additionally, the county reports 136 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, nearly double the national median of 70 per 100,000. Data also indicates that 15.9% of residents report poor or fair health, which is lower than the national average of 17%. These figures provide a statistical overview of the current local healthcare landscape. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Penobscot County, Maine
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 →Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center
ERSt Joseph Hospital
ERPenobscot Valley Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Penobscot County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Maine.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Penobscot County, ME?
What is the life expectancy in Penobscot County?
How does Penobscot County health compare to the Maine average?
What health factors affect Penobscot County?
Is Penobscot County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Penobscot 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.