Ashe County Health Data
Ashe County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
45/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
75.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.7 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.6%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
49
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
177
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.8%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
33.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 48.7 per 100K
Dentists
22.4
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
55.9
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 Ashe County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Ashe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 36.3% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.9% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.5% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 1.8 pts better than state |
| Depression | 27.6% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 1.8 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Ashe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.2% | 16.0% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 17.1% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 1.2 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.8% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 1.5 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Ashe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.6% | 78.1% | 74.9% | 1.5 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 61.2% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 1.5 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 72.7% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 4.6 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Ashe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.9% | 18.5% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.9% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 1.7 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Ashe County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Mental Health Provider Ratio in Ashe County Trails National Median
Health data brief for Ashe County, North Carolina.
Ashe County has 177 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250 providers per 100,000. The primary care provider ratio is 49 per 100,000, compared to a national median of 70. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.7 years, which is higher than the North Carolina average of 74.4 years but lower than the national average of 77. The uninsured rate is 13.6%, which is higher than the state average of 12.5% and the national average of 10%. Additionally, 17.8% of the population reports poor or fair health, which is similar to the national average of 17%. This report summarizes county-level health data from various public sources. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Ashe County, North Carolina
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 →Ashe Memorial Hospital
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Ashe County, NC?
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How does Ashe County health compare to the North Carolina average?
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Why is Ashe County healthier than the North Carolina average?
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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.