Avery County Health Data
Avery County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
44/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
75.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
15.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.9 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
15.7%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
22
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
478
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.4%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
130.4
per 100K residentsCDC: 22.4 per 100K
Dentists
17.0
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
34.0
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 Avery County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Avery | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 37.4% | 37.5% | 37.6% | near state average |
| Diabetes | 10.2% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 1.0 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.8% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 1.5 pts better than state |
| Depression | 26.4% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Avery | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 16.5% | 16.0% | 16.3% | near state average |
| Binge Drinking | 17.6% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 1.7 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.8% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 1.5 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Avery | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.5% | 78.1% | 74.9% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 60.9% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 73.4% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 3.9 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Avery | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.4% | 18.5% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.8% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 1.8 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Avery 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
Avery County Mental Health Provider Availability Exceeds National Median
Health data brief for Avery County, North Carolina.
Avery County has 478 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is nearly double the national median of 250. In contrast, the county has 22 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, a figure lower than the national median of 70. The life expectancy in the county is 75.9 years, which is higher than the North Carolina average of 74.4 but lower than the national average of 77. The uninsured rate is 15.7%, which is higher than the state rate of 12.5% and the national rate of 10%. About 17.4% of residents report poor or fair health, which is close to the national average of 17%. These figures reflect local medical capacity and general health markers in the region. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Avery 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 →Charles A Cannon Jr Memorial Hospital
ERAppalachian Regional Behavioral Healthcare
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Avery County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Avery County, NC?
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How does Avery County health compare to the North Carolina average?
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Why is Avery 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.