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

What is the health ranking of Burke County, NC?
Burke County has a health score of 39/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #55 out of 100 counties in North Carolina (1 = healthiest). The score is based on CDC County Health Rankings data, combining life expectancy, uninsured rates, provider access, and behavioral health indicators.
What is the life expectancy in Burke County?
Life expectancy in Burke County is 74.2 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Burke County below the state average.
How does Burke County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Burke County's health score of 39/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 74.2 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.5% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Burke County?
Key health factors for Burke County include: life expectancy (74.2 years), uninsured rate (13.5%), and primary care physician access (63:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 331:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Burke County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 39/100 ("Below Average"), Burke County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.2 years. 13.5% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Burke County?
Burke County's health score of 39/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 13.5% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.