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

What is the health ranking of Cleveland County, NC?
Cleveland County has a health score of 31/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #72 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 Cleveland County?
Life expectancy in Cleveland County is 72.0 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Cleveland County below the state average.
How does Cleveland County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Cleveland County's health score of 31/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 72.0 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 11.0% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Cleveland County?
Key health factors for Cleveland County include: life expectancy (72.0 years), uninsured rate (11.0%), and primary care physician access (44:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 164:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Cleveland County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 31/100 ("Below Average"), Cleveland County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.0 years. 11.0% 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 Cleveland County?
Cleveland County's health score of 31/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 11.0% 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.