Clay County Health Data
Clay County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
49/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
76.8 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.3%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.8 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.3%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
44
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
152
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
18.3%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
8.8
per 100K residentsCDC: 44.2 per 100K
Dentists
17.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
17.6
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 Clay County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Clay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 35.5% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 2.0 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.3% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 1.9 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.1% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 3.2 pts better than state |
| Depression | 27.9% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Clay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 14.9% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 17.5% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 22.2% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 3.1 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Clay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.7% | 78.1% | 74.9% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 60.9% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 76.6% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Clay | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.2% | 18.5% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.1% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 2.5 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Clay County nationally on high blood pressure.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Primary care provider density in Clay County below national median
Health data brief for Clay County, North Carolina.
Clay County has a primary care provider density of 44 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. The county’s mental health provider ratio is 152 per 100,000, also below the national median of 250. Regarding health outcomes, 18.3% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in the county is 13.3%, which is higher than the North Carolina average of 12.5% and the national average of 10%. Life expectancy is 76.8 years, which is higher than the state average of 74.4 years and nearly reaches the national average of 77. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Clay 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
No CMS Care Compare hospital is located in Clay County.
This is common in low-population rural counties. Residents typically travel to a hospital in a neighboring county or larger metro. Use Medicare.gov Care Compare to find rated hospitals statewide or contact a federally-funded community health center for primary and preventive care.
eHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Clay County, NC?
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How does Clay County health compare to the North Carolina average?
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Why is Clay 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.