Burke County Health Data
Burke County, North Carolina
Health Score
39/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.5%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
63
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
331
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Burke County, North Carolina
Burke's life expectancy near state parity
Burke County residents live to 74.2 years, falling short of the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years by nearly five years. The 18.4% poor/fair health rate exceeds the national 17% benchmark, indicating health challenges across the population.
Slightly below North Carolina average
Burke's 74.2-year life expectancy is essentially at the state average of 74.4 years, but the 18.4% poor/fair health rate suggests underlying health vulnerabilities. Burke ranks in the middle tier among North Carolina counties.
Mixed outcomes versus regional peers
Burke's 74.2-year life expectancy exceeds Bladen (70.3 years) and Caldwell (72.4 years) but trails Buncombe (77.4 years) and Cabarrus (77.2 years). With 63 primary care providers per 100,000, Burke offers moderate access compared to neighbors.
Moderate uninsured rate, adequate providers
Burke's 13.5% uninsured rate slightly exceeds North Carolina's 12.5% average, leaving roughly one in seven residents without coverage. The county provides 331 mental health providers per 100,000—more than triple some neighboring counties—supporting behavioral health access.
Close the coverage gap now
With more than one in seven residents uninsured, Burke residents should investigate marketplace plans and state programs to secure coverage. Getting insured helps prevent costly emergencies and improves long-term health outcomes.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.