Essex County Health Data
Essex County, Massachusetts
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
92/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
79.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
3.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.7 yr
State avg 79.7 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
3.5%
State avg 3.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
74
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
686
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.8%
State avg 14.0%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
20.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 74.1 per 100K
Dentists
6.8
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
10.0
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 Essex County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 30.0% | 28.1% | 37.6% | 1.9 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 8.7% | 8.3% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 28.0% | 27.9% | 33.5% | near state average |
| Depression | 23.0% | 25.1% | 24.1% | 2.1 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 11.5% | 11.9% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 17.3% | 18.7% | 17.8% | 1.4 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.2% | 20.4% | 27.0% | 2.8 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 79.1% | 79.3% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 70.1% | 69.6% | 57.3% | near state average |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 83.6% | 82.9% | 73.3% | 0.7 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.3% | 17.4% | 18.6% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 36.7% | 34.8% | 37.3% | 1.9 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Essex County nationally on physical inactivity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Essex County uninsured rate stays above Massachusetts state average
Health data brief for Essex County, Massachusetts.
The uninsured rate in Essex County is 3.5%, which is higher than the Massachusetts state average of 3.0% but remains lower than the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in the county is 79.7 years, matching the state average exactly and staying higher than the national average of 77 years. There are 74 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 70. Mental health provider availability is 686 per 100,000, more than twice the national median of 250. Additionally, 14.8% of residents report poor or fair health, while the national average is 17%. These figures provide a comparison of health coverage and professional provider access within the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Essex County, Massachusetts
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 →North Shore Medical Center -
ERAnna Jaques Hospital
ERNortheast Hospital Corporation
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Essex County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Essex County, MA?
What is the life expectancy in Essex County?
How does Essex County health compare to the Massachusetts average?
What health factors affect Essex County?
Is Essex County a healthy place to live?
Why is Essex County healthier than the Massachusetts average?
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.