Buncombe County Health Data
Buncombe County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
64/100
Average
Life Expectancy
77.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.1%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
77.4 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.1%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
141
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
896
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
13.3%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
28.7
per 100K residentsCDC: 140.7 per 100K
Dentists
4.4
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
16.2
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 Buncombe County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Buncombe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 31.2% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 6.3 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 8.9% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 2.3 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.2% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 4.1 pts better than state |
| Depression | 25.9% | 25.8% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Buncombe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 12.5% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 3.5 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 17.2% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 19.2% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 6.1 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Buncombe | 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) | 68.9% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 9.2 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.9% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 2.4 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Buncombe | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.6% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 1.9 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 27.7% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 7.9 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Buncombe 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
Buncombe County Mental Health Provider Ratio Far Surpasses National Median
Health data brief for Buncombe County, North Carolina.
Buncombe County reports 896 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, more than triple the national median of 250 per 100,000. The county also exceeds national and state trends in medical care access, with 141 primary care providers per 100,000 residents compared to the national median of 70. Life expectancy for residents is 77.4 years, slightly higher than the national average of 77 years and three years longer than the North Carolina state average of 74.4 years. About 13.3% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, a lower percentage than the 17% national average. However, 13.1% of residents lack health insurance, which is higher than the national rate of 10% and the state average of 12.5%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Buncombe 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 →Asheville-oteen Va Medical Center
ERMemorial Mission Hospital and Asheville Surgery Ce
ERJulian F Keith Alcohol & Drug Abuse Tx
eHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Buncombe County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in North Carolina.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Buncombe County, NC?
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Why is Buncombe 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.