Franklin County Health Data

Franklin County, North Carolina

Health Score

49/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

76.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.3 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.7%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

13

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

140

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Franklin County, North Carolina

Franklin edges out national life expectancy benchmarks

Franklin County residents live an average of 76.3 years, slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, placing the county among America's healthier regions. However, 17.9% report poor or fair health, slightly above national norms. The county demonstrates solid health outcomes despite facing some chronic disease challenges.

Above-average health performance for North Carolina

At 76.3 years, Franklin's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years by nearly 2 years, positioning it in the upper tier of county health rankings. The poor/fair health rate of 17.9% is moderately better than many state peers. Franklin consistently performs above the statewide benchmark.

Health outcomes competitive with local peers

Franklin's 76.3-year life expectancy outperforms neighboring Nash County (72.5 years) and matches well against Vance County (76.1 years), though all three remain below state leader Forsyth. Franklin's 17.9% poor/fair health rate sits between Vance (18.8%) and Nash (19.2%), suggesting more consistent health management. The county ranks solidly among its neighbors.

Limited primary care, strong mental health access

Franklin's critical gap is primary care: only 13 providers per 100K residents—among the lowest in the state—while mental health services at 140 per 100K provide better coverage. The uninsured rate of 12.7% slightly exceeds the state average, limiting access for a meaningful portion of the population. Residents must often travel outside the county for routine primary care.

Coverage options available during enrollment periods

Franklin's 12.7% uninsured rate means nearly 1 in 8 residents lack health insurance coverage, missing out on preventive care and financial protection. Healthcare.gov and the NC Health Insurance Marketplace are available during open enrollment windows, with subsidies available for qualifying households. Getting covered ensures access to the healthcare services Franklin residents deserve.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Franklin County, NC?
Franklin County has a health score of 49/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #31 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 Franklin County?
Life expectancy in Franklin County is 76.3 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Franklin County above the state average.
How does Franklin County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Franklin County's health score of 49/100 is above the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 76.3 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 12.7% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Franklin County?
Key health factors for Franklin County include: life expectancy (76.3 years), uninsured rate (12.7%), and primary care physician access (13:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 140:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Franklin County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 49/100 ("Below Average"), Franklin County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.3 years. 12.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Franklin County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Franklin County's health score of 49/100 exceeds the North Carolina average of 41/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Franklin County has better primary care access (13:1 ratio) than the state average (52:1).

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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.