Penobscot County Health Data
Penobscot County, Maine
Health 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
Data Story
About Health in Penobscot County, Maine
Penobscot County Lags National Health
Penobscot County's life expectancy of 75.3 years falls 1.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.4, signaling persistent health challenges in Maine's third-most-populous county. The 15.9% poor or fair health rate is slightly lower than the national average, though life expectancy tells a concerning story.
Below Maine Average Despite Resources
At 75.3 years, Penobscot County's life expectancy sits 1.4 years below Maine's 76.7-year state average, placing it among the state's weaker-performing counties. This gap is noteworthy because Penobscot hosts Maine's second-largest city, Bangor, and has relatively robust healthcare infrastructure.
Strong Provider Access, Weaker Outcomes
Penobscot County leads the state with 136 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a robust 668 mental health providers per 100,000—significantly above neighbors like Oxford (67 and 306, respectively). Yet its 75.3-year life expectancy remains below peers, suggesting access alone doesn't guarantee better health outcomes.
Uninsured Rate Slightly Below State Norm
Penobscot County's 8.8% uninsured rate is better than Maine's 9.4% average, meaning most residents have coverage—yet life expectancy remains stubbornly low. The county's strong provider networks (136 primary care, 668 mental health per 100K) suggest systemic or behavioral health factors may be limiting life expectancy gains.
Coverage Gaps Persist Despite Low Rates
While Penobscot's uninsured rate is lower than state average, 8.8% of residents still lack health insurance—leaving potential health gains on the table. Reach out to Bangor-area community health centers or maine.gov to confirm your coverage and access preventive care today.
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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.