Gaston County Health Data
Gaston County, North Carolina
Health Score
40/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
73.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.2%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
73.0 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.2%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
52
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
302
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Gaston County, North Carolina
Gaston lags behind national health benchmarks
Gaston County's life expectancy of 73 years falls notably short of the U.S. average of 76.1 years, a gap of 3.1 years that signals meaningful health challenges. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (18.1%) report poor or fair health, above national norms. These metrics suggest higher prevalence of chronic disease and preventable health conditions.
Below-average health ranking within North Carolina
At 73 years, Gaston's life expectancy trails North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years, placing it among the lower-performing counties in the state. The county's 18.1% poor/fair health rate exceeds state norms, indicating systematic health challenges. Gaston ranks in the lower half of county health outcomes across North Carolina.
Competitive with Piedmont region peers, but gaps remain
Gaston's 73-year life expectancy is comparable to neighboring Catawba (72.8 years) and Cleveland (72.5 years), but trails Cleveland County peers like Iredell (74.2 years) and Cabarrus (74.6 years). The 18.1% poor/fair health rate sits near regional medians, though higher-performing Piedmont counties like Forsyth (16.5%) show what's achievable. Gaston faces similar health pressures as textile and manufacturing-dependent neighbors.
Moderate provider access across clinical disciplines
Gaston offers 52 primary care providers per 100K residents—moderate by state standards—and 302 mental health providers per 100K, well above many counties. However, the uninsured rate of 11.2%, slightly below state average, means most residents have some coverage access. Provider availability is reasonable, but health outcomes suggest demand still outpaces supply in certain areas.
Strengthen family health security with coverage
Gaston's 11.2% uninsured rate still represents thousands of residents without healthcare access, making them vulnerable to medical emergencies and preventable disease. During annual enrollment, explore plans through healthcare.gov and the NC Health Insurance Marketplace, including low-cost options for families. Comprehensive coverage is a foundation for improving the county's overall 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.