Lenoir County Health Data

Lenoir County, North Carolina

Health Score

20/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.9 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.9%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

57

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

177

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Lenoir County, North Carolina

County faces severe health crisis

Lenoir County residents have a life expectancy of just 70.9 years—nearly 3.7 years below the U.S. average of 74.6 years. A striking 23.3% report poor or fair health, one of the highest rates in the nation and evidence of deep-rooted public health failures.

Worst health outcomes in North Carolina

At 70.9 years, Lenoir County's life expectancy ranks among the lowest in North Carolina, trailing the state average of 74.4 years by 3.5 years. With nearly 1 in 4 residents reporting poor or fair health, the county faces a crisis comparable to some of the nation's most distressed regions.

Clear crisis compared to neighbors

Lenoir's 70.9-year life expectancy falls dramatically short of every neighboring county, including Lee (73.8) and Jones (72.4). At 23.3% poor/fair health, Lenoir faces health challenges more severe than any peer in the region.

Uninsured near state average; provider shortage

At 12.9% uninsured, Lenoir sits slightly above the state average, but provider access remains tight with just 57 primary care providers per 100,000. Mental health resources at 177 per 100,000 fall below regional medians, limiting treatment options for residents battling chronic conditions.

Emergency: get covered and get help

Lenoir County faces a public health emergency requiring immediate action on insurance and preventive care. Contact 2-1-1, visit Healthcare.gov, and seek out community health centers now—access to care can be life-changing in this county.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Lenoir County, NC?
Lenoir County has a health score of 20/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #91 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 Lenoir County?
Life expectancy in Lenoir County is 70.9 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Lenoir County below the state average.
How does Lenoir County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Lenoir County's health score of 20/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 70.9 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 12.9% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Lenoir County?
Key health factors for Lenoir County include: life expectancy (70.9 years), uninsured rate (12.9%), and primary care physician access (57:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 177:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lenoir County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 20/100 ("Below Average"), Lenoir County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.9 years. 12.9% 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 Lenoir County?
Lenoir County's health score of 20/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 12.9% 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.

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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.