Macon County Health Data

Macon County, North Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

42/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

75.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

75.4 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.2%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

56

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

224

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

17.4%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

48.0

per 100K residentsCDC: 55.9 per 100K

Dentists

2.7

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

18.7

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 Macon County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureMaconState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity35.6%37.5%37.6%1.9 pts better than state
Diabetes10.0%11.2%11.2%1.2 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure33.6%35.3%33.5%1.7 pts better than state
Depression27.8%25.8%24.1%2.0 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureMaconState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.7%16.0%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking16.9%15.9%17.8%1.0 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.3%25.3%27.0%1.0 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureMaconState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.1%78.1%74.9%1.0 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)62.3%59.7%57.3%2.6 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)77.4%77.3%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureMaconState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.6%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration32.6%35.6%37.3%3.0 pts better than state

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

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

Data Story

Macon County Uninsured Rate Higher Than State and National Levels

Health data brief for Macon County, North Carolina.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Uninsured rate

Residents in Macon County face an uninsured rate of 16.2%, which is higher than the North Carolina state average of 12.5% and the national rate of 10%. The county's life expectancy is 75.4 years, which is higher than the state average of 74.4 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. About 17.4% of the population reports being in poor or fair health, which is consistent with the national average of 17%. The county has 56 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, below the national median of 70. There are 224 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is below the national median of 250. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Macon 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.

Angel Medical Center

ER
2/5
(828) 524-8411
124 Center Court Po Box 1209, Franklin, NC 28734
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Highlands Cashiers Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(828) 526-1200
190 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741
Critical Access 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 Macon County, NC?
Macon County has a health score of 42/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #45 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 Macon County?
Life expectancy in Macon County is 75.4 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Macon County above the state average.
How does Macon County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Macon County's health score of 42/100 is above the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 75.4 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 16.2% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Macon County?
Key health factors for Macon County include: life expectancy (75.4 years), uninsured rate (16.2%), and primary care physician access (56:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 224:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Macon County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 42/100 ("Below Average"), Macon County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 75.4 years. 16.2% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Macon County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Macon County's health score of 42/100 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.