Johnston County Health Data

Johnston County, North Carolina

Health Score

50/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

76.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.5 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

27

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

114

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Johnston County, North Carolina

Strong lifespan, weaker daily health

Johnston County residents live to an average of 76.5 years, nearly two years longer than the U.S. average of 74.6 years. Yet 18% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among its peer group and a signal of gaps in preventive care.

Living longer, but not healthier

At 76.5 years, Johnston's life expectancy matches the state's top performers and exceeds North Carolina's average by 2.1 years. Still, the county's 18% poor/fair health rate ranks above the state median, pointing to chronic disease management challenges.

Longest life, poorest daily health

Johnston ties Iredell at 76.5 years of life expectancy but leads neighbors in poor/fair health reports at 18%. This paradox suggests that while residents live long lives, many experience significant health challenges during those years.

Uninsured rate near state average; limited providers

Johnston's uninsured rate of 12.7% sits just above the state average of 12.5%, affecting roughly 1 in 8 residents. The county has just 27 primary care providers per 100,000—well below the state standard—and only 114 mental health providers per 100,000, creating access bottlenecks.

Find care where it's scarce

With limited primary care capacity, Johnston residents should prioritize securing insurance coverage now. Use the Health Insurance Marketplace to compare plans, and ask about telehealth options to overcome geographic provider shortages.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Johnston County, NC?
Johnston County has a health score of 50/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #29 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 Johnston County?
Life expectancy in Johnston County is 76.5 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Johnston County above the state average.
How does Johnston County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Johnston County's health score of 50/100 is above the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 76.5 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 12.7% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Johnston County?
Key health factors for Johnston County include: life expectancy (76.5 years), uninsured rate (12.7%), and primary care physician access (27:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 114:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Johnston County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 50/100 ("Below Average"), Johnston County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.5 years. 12.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Johnston County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Johnston County's health score of 50/100 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. Johnston County has better primary care access (27:1 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.