Lee County Health Data

Lee County, North Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

32/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

73.8 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.8%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

52

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

218

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

20.5%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

24.8

per 100K residentsCDC: 51.5 per 100K

Dentists

3.1

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

1.5

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 Lee County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureLeeState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.7%37.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes11.7%11.2%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure34.6%35.3%33.5%0.7 pts better than state
Depression25.1%25.8%24.1%0.7 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureLeeState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.6%16.0%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking16.2%15.9%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity26.5%25.3%27.0%1.2 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureLeeState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.8%78.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)57.8%59.7%57.3%1.9 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)74.4%77.3%73.3%2.9 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureLeeState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.5%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration39.1%35.6%37.3%3.5 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Lee County nationally on short sleep duration.

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

Data Story

Lee County Poor and Fair Health Rates Exceed National Average

Health data brief for Lee County, North Carolina.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

Approximately 20.5% of residents in Lee County report poor or fair health, a rate higher than the national average of 17%. Life expectancy in the county is 73.8 years, which is lower than both the state average of 74.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The county's uninsured rate is 13.8%, which is above the North Carolina average of 12.5% and the national rate of 10%. Regarding healthcare access, the county has 52 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, below the national median of 70. There are 218 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Lee 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.

Central Carolina Hospital

ER
2/5
(919) 774-2100
1135 Carthage St, Sanford, NC 27330
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Lee County, NC?
Lee County has a health score of 32/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #69 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 Lee County?
Life expectancy in Lee County is 73.8 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Lee County below the state average.
How does Lee County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Lee County's health score of 32/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 73.8 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.8% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Lee County?
Key health factors for Lee County include: life expectancy (73.8 years), uninsured rate (13.8%), and primary care physician access (52:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 218:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lee County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 32/100 ("Below Average"), Lee County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 73.8 years. 13.8% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Lee County?
Lee County's health score of 32/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 13.8% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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.