Caldwell County Health Data

Caldwell County, North Carolina

Health Score

32/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.4 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

50

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

111

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Caldwell County, North Carolina

Caldwell faces significant health gaps

Caldwell County residents live to 72.4 years—six-and-a-half years shorter than the U.S. life expectancy of 78.9 years. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate nearly matches the highest in this group, signaling serious population health challenges.

Among North Carolina's lowest performers

At 72.4 years, Caldwell's life expectancy falls 2.0 years below the state average of 74.4 years, ranking it near the bottom tier of NC counties. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate compounds these concerns.

Struggling against regional peers

Caldwell's 72.4-year life expectancy trails all comparison counties except Bladen (70.3 years), underperforming neighboring Buncombe (77.4 years) by five years. With only 50 primary care providers per 100,000, Caldwell also lags peer counties in physician access.

Uninsured and underserved

Caldwell's 13.1% uninsured rate meets North Carolina's state average, yet the county offers only 111 mental health providers per 100,000—among the lowest in this group. The combination of uninsured residents and limited behavioral health capacity strains the county's health system.

Start your coverage journey today

Caldwell residents without insurance should act now to explore marketplace options and state programs that could secure coverage. Taking this step reduces financial risk and connects you to preventive care that improves health outcomes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Caldwell County, NC?
Caldwell County has a health score of 32/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #66 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 Caldwell County?
Life expectancy in Caldwell County is 72.4 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Caldwell County below the state average.
How does Caldwell County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Caldwell County's health score of 32/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 72.4 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.1% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Caldwell County?
Key health factors for Caldwell County include: life expectancy (72.4 years), uninsured rate (13.1%), and primary care physician access (50:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 111:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Caldwell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 32/100 ("Below Average"), Caldwell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.4 years. 13.1% 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 Caldwell County?
Caldwell County's health score of 32/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 13.1% 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.