Bay County Health Data
Bay County, Michigan
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
76/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
75.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.2 yr
State avg 76.3 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
5.7%
State avg 6.4%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
45
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
294
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.2%
State avg 16.8%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
14.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 44.7 per 100K
Dentists
3.9
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
7.7
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 Bay County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Bay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 37.9% | 38.0% | 37.6% | near state average |
| Diabetes | 9.9% | 10.1% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.7% | 32.5% | 33.5% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| Depression | 28.4% | 28.4% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Bay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.2% | 16.5% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 18.2% | 18.4% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.6% | 24.5% | 27.0% | near state average |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Bay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.9% | 77.4% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 70.7% | 66.2% | 57.3% | 4.5 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 77.6% | 75.0% | 73.3% | 2.6 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Bay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.4% | 19.5% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.2% | 34.8% | 37.3% | 1.6 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Bay County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Bay County Uninsured Rate Remains Low Relative to State Trends
Health data brief for Bay County, Michigan.
Bay County has an uninsured rate of 5.7%, which is lower than the Michigan state average of 6.4% and the national average of 10%. The county's life expectancy is 75.2 years, compared to a state average of 76.3 years and a national average of 77 years. In terms of clinical access, there are 45 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70 per 100,000 residents. Additionally, the mental health provider ratio in the county is 294 per 100,000, which is higher than the national median of 250. Approximately 14.2% of adults in Bay County report being in poor or fair health, compared to a national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Bay County, Michigan
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 →Mclaren Bay Region
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Bay County, MI?
What is the life expectancy in Bay County?
How does Bay County health compare to the Michigan average?
What health factors affect Bay County?
Is Bay County a healthy place to live?
Why is Bay County healthier than the Michigan 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.