Cleveland County Health Data
Cleveland County, North Carolina
Health Score
31/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
72.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.0%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
72.0 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.0%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
44
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
164
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Cleveland County, North Carolina
Lowest life expectancy in the region
Cleveland County's 72.0-year life expectancy is the lowest among these eight counties and trails both the U.S. average of 76.4 years and North Carolina's 74.4 years by more than two years. With 20.9% reporting poor or fair health, Cleveland faces significant health headwinds.
Bottom tier in state health rankings
Cleveland ranks among the lowest North Carolina counties for life expectancy, falling 2.4 years below the state average. This gap suggests structural health challenges—from disease prevalence to healthcare access—that compound over time.
Substantially trails peer counties
Cleveland's 72.0-year life expectancy trails all nearby counties, with the gap to Chatham's 79.9 years approaching eight years. Primary care access at 44 per 100,000 is limited, and the combination of access shortages and health disparities creates a compounding disadvantage.
Best coverage rates, persistent access gaps
Cleveland's 11.0% uninsured rate is the lowest in the region, yet life expectancy lags anyway—suggesting coverage alone doesn't solve health disparities. With only 44 primary care providers per 100,000, residents often face long waits or must travel for basic preventive care.
Insurance is step one in turning the tide
Cleveland's uninsured rate is already strong, but the 11% without coverage should enroll immediately at HealthCare.gov. Combined with proactive preventive care, insurance can help residents reverse the county's troubling health trajectory.
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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.