Jackson County Health Data

Jackson County, North Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

47/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

76.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

15.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.3 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

15.7%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

71

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

476

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.0%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

18.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 71.4 per 100K

Dentists

7.0

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 Jackson County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureJacksonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity36.7%37.5%37.6%0.8 pts better than state
Diabetes10.9%11.2%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure33.5%35.3%33.5%1.8 pts better than state
Depression27.9%25.8%24.1%2.1 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureJacksonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.1%16.0%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking16.8%15.9%17.8%0.9 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.2%25.3%27.0%1.1 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureJacksonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.2%78.1%74.9%0.9 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)61.8%59.7%57.3%2.1 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)76.0%77.3%73.3%1.3 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureJacksonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.0%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration34.0%35.6%37.3%1.6 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Jackson County nationally on depression.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Jackson County Mental Health Provider Density Nearly Doubles National Median

Health data brief for Jackson County, North Carolina.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Jackson County features 476 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure that is nearly twice the national median of 250 per 100,000. While provider density is high in this sector, the county's uninsured rate stands at 15.7%, which is higher than the North Carolina average of 12.5% and the national rate of 10%. Life expectancy for residents is 76.3 years, which is higher than the state average of 74.4 years but remains below the national average of 77 years. The primary care provider ratio is 71 per 100,000 residents, essentially matching the national median of 70. About 17.0% of the population reports poor or fair health, mirroring the national average. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Jackson 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.

Harris Regional Hospital

ER
3/5
(828) 586-7000
68 Hospital Rd, Sylva, NC 28779
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Jackson County, NC?
Jackson County has a health score of 47/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #35 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 Jackson County?
Life expectancy in Jackson County is 76.3 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Jackson County above the state average.
How does Jackson County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Jackson County's health score of 47/100 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 15.7% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Jackson County?
Key health factors for Jackson County include: life expectancy (76.3 years), uninsured rate (15.7%), and primary care physician access (71:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 476:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Jackson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 47/100 ("Below Average"), Jackson County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.3 years. 15.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Jackson County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Jackson County's health score of 47/100 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.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.