Columbus County Health Data
Columbus County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
15/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
69.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
69.7 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.7%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
40
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
168
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
24.1%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
41.6
per 100K residentsCDC: 39.9 per 100K
Dentists
7.9
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
13.9
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 Columbus County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Columbus | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 41.2% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 3.7 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 12.8% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 39.2% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 3.9 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 25.5% | 25.8% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Columbus | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 19.0% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 3.0 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 14.8% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 1.1 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 29.5% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 4.2 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Columbus | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 78.3% | 78.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 51.9% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 7.8 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 77.7% | 77.3% | 73.3% | near state average |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Columbus | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.8% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 39.6% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 4.0 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Columbus County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
One in four Columbus County residents report fair health
Health data brief for Columbus County, North Carolina.
In Columbus County, 24.1% of adults report being in poor or fair health, a figure significantly higher than the national average of 17%. The county’s life expectancy is 69.7 years, which is 4.7 years less than the North Carolina average of 74.4 and more than seven years below the national average of 77. The uninsured rate is 13.7%, exceeding both the state average of 12.5% and the national average of 10%. Primary care providers are available at a rate of 40 per 100,000 residents, lower than the national median of 70, while mental health providers stand at 168 per 100,000, below the national median of 250. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Columbus 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 →Columbus Regional Healthcare System
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Columbus County, NC?
What is the life expectancy in Columbus County?
How does Columbus County health compare to the North Carolina average?
What health factors affect Columbus County?
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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.