Catawba County Health Data
Catawba County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
42/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
73.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.9%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
73.9 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.9%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
64
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
275
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.9%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
16.0
per 100K residentsCDC: 63.7 per 100K
Dentists
5.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
12.3
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 Catawba County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Catawba | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 37.2% | 37.5% | 37.6% | near state average |
| Diabetes | 10.1% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.7% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 2.6 pts better than state |
| Depression | 26.6% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Catawba | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.0% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 1.0 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.5% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.2% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 2.1 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Catawba | 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) | 60.3% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.4% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 2.9 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Catawba | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 17.9% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 32.3% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 3.3 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Catawba County nationally on short sleep duration.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Mental health provider access in Catawba County exceeds national median
Health data brief for Catawba County, North Carolina.
Mental health provider availability in Catawba County stands at 275 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 250. Other health indicators show variations from state and national norms. The life expectancy for residents is 73.9 years, slightly lower than the North Carolina state average of 74.4 years and approximately three years less than the national average of 77. The uninsured rate is 11.9%, which is slightly lower than the state average of 12.5% but remains above the national target of 10%. Additionally, 17.9% of adults in the county report being in poor or fair health, a figure that is higher than the 17% national average. Primary care provider density is 64 per 100,000, just below the national median of 70. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Catawba 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 →Frye Regional Medical Center
ERCatawba Valley Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Catawba 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 Catawba County, NC?
What is the life expectancy in Catawba County?
How does Catawba County health compare to the North Carolina average?
What health factors affect Catawba County?
Is Catawba County a healthy place to live?
Why is Catawba County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.