Essex County Health Data
Essex County, New Jersey
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
63/100
Average
Life Expectancy
77.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.7 yr
State avg 78.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.6%
State avg 7.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
75
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
283
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
16.5%
State avg 15.0%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
26.7
per 100K residentsCDC: 75.4 per 100K
Dentists
8.0
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
8.5
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 | 29.4% | 29.6% | 37.6% | near state average |
| Diabetes | 11.0% | 9.2% | 11.2% | 1.8 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 29.8% | 29.5% | 33.5% | near state average |
| Depression | 15.7% | 16.5% | 24.1% | 0.8 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 12.3% | 11.5% | 16.3% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 15.5% | 17.3% | 17.8% | 1.8 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 28.4% | 23.8% | 27.0% | 4.6 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.2% | 75.9% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 62.9% | 65.4% | 57.3% | 2.5 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 78.7% | 75.2% | 73.3% | 3.5 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.5% | 16.0% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 40.4% | 38.1% | 37.3% | 2.3 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 Higher Than State Average
Health data brief for Essex County, New Jersey.
The uninsured rate in Essex County is 10.6%, which is higher than the New Jersey state average of 7.5% and the national figure of 10%. This rate of insurance coverage is the county's most distinctive health data point. Other statistics show a life expectancy of 77.7 years, which is shorter than the state middle of 78.5 years but slightly longer than the national 77 years. Primary care access is 75 providers per 100,000 residents, slightly higher than the national median of 70. There are 283 mental health providers per 100,000 people, which is more than the national median of 250. Approximately 16.5% of residents report poor or fair health, which is similar to the national average of 17%. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Essex County, New Jersey
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 →Hackensack Meridian Mountainside Medical
ERSaint Michael's Medical Center
ERClara Maass Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Essex County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in New Jersey.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Essex County, NJ?
What is the life expectancy in Essex County?
How does Essex County health compare to the New Jersey average?
What health factors affect Essex County?
Is Essex County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Essex 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.