Durham County Health Data
Durham County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
73/100
Average
Life Expectancy
79.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.2 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.6%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
120
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
772
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
14.2%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
9.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 119.6 per 100K
Dentists
3.6
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
11.8
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 Durham County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Durham | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 36.5% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 1.0 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 10.4% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.8% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 2.5 pts better than state |
| Depression | 22.8% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 3.0 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Durham | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 11.0% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 5.0 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 15.4% | 15.9% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 21.7% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 3.6 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Durham | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 80.4% | 78.1% | 74.9% | 2.3 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 68.2% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 8.5 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 80.3% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 3.0 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Durham | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 15.2% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 3.3 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.7% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 1.9 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Durham 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
Durham County mental health provider ratio triple the national median
Health data brief for Durham County, North Carolina.
Durham County is highly distinctive for its mental health provider concentration, with 772 providers per 100,000 residents. This is more than three times the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care provider availability is also high at 120 per 100,000, compared to the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 79.2 years, which is higher than the state average of 74.4 years and the national average of 77 years. About 14.2% of residents report poor or fair health, a lower rate than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in Durham is 10.6%, which is below the state average of 12.5% and close to the national 10% average. These statistics reflect the recorded health resources and outcomes in the county. Explore state-level data.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Durham 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 →Duke University Hospital
ERDuke Regional Hospital
ERDurham Va Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Durham 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 Durham County, NC?
What is the life expectancy in Durham County?
How does Durham County health compare to the North Carolina average?
What health factors affect Durham County?
Is Durham County a healthy place to live?
Why is Durham 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.