Lincoln County Health Data

Lincoln County, North Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

56/100

Average

Life Expectancy

76.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.2 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

10.3%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

44

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

87

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.2%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

12.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 43.5 per 100K

Dentists

5.5

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

14.4

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 Lincoln County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureLincolnState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity34.4%37.5%37.6%3.1 pts better than state
Diabetes9.1%11.2%11.2%2.1 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure31.9%35.3%33.5%3.4 pts better than state
Depression26.3%25.8%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureLincolnState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking14.0%16.0%16.3%2.0 pts better than state
Binge Drinking17.9%15.9%17.8%2.0 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity21.5%25.3%27.0%3.8 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureLincolnState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup76.8%78.1%74.9%1.3 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)62.6%59.7%57.3%2.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)79.2%77.3%73.3%1.9 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureLincolnState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress17.6%18.5%18.6%0.9 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration34.4%35.6%37.3%1.2 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Lincoln County nationally on physical inactivity.

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

Data Story

Lincoln County Mental Health Provider Density Below National Median

Health data brief for Lincoln County, North Carolina.

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

Lincoln County has 87 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure significantly lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Additionally, the county has 44 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 70. Despite these provider counts, the county's uninsured rate is 10.3%, which is lower than the North Carolina average of 12.5% and comparable to the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in the county is 76.2 years, higher than the state average of 74.4 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. Approximately 17.2% of the population reports poor or fair health, which mirrors the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Lincoln 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.

Atrium Health Lincoln

ER
3/5
(980) 212-2000
433 Mcalister Rd, Lincolnton, NC 28092
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Hospital District or Authority

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 Lincoln County, NC?
Lincoln County has a health score of 56/100, rated "Average." It ranks #21 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 Lincoln County?
Life expectancy in Lincoln County is 76.2 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Lincoln County above the state average.
How does Lincoln County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Lincoln County's health score of 56/100 is above the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 76.2 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 10.3% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Lincoln County?
Key health factors for Lincoln County include: life expectancy (76.2 years), uninsured rate (10.3%), and primary care physician access (44:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 87:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lincoln County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 56/100 ("Average"), Lincoln County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.2 years. 10.3% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Lincoln County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Lincoln County's health score of 56/100 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. Lincoln County has better primary care access (44:1 ratio) than the state average (52:1).

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.