Macon County Health Data

Macon County, North Carolina

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

Data Story

About Health in Macon County, North Carolina

Solid lifespan, high uninsured rates

Macon County residents live to an average of 75.4 years, about 0.8 years above the U.S. average of 74.6 years. However, 17.4% report poor or fair health, and a striking 16.2% lack health insurance—one of the highest uninsured rates in the region.

Above-average life, above-average uninsured

At 75.4 years, Macon's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's 74.4-year average by one year. Yet the county's 16.2% uninsured rate significantly outpaces the state average of 12.5%, suggesting coverage gaps despite decent life expectancy.

Middle-range outcomes, high uninsured

Macon's 75.4-year life expectancy falls between Iredell (76.5) and Jackson (76.3), but its 16.2% uninsured rate exceeds all nearby counties. This gap signals that Macon residents live reasonably long lives but struggle to access preventive care.

Critical coverage gap despite strong providers

Macon faces a paradox: 16.2% uninsured—the highest in its peer group—while offering 56 primary care providers and 224 mental health providers per 100,000. This suggests that even where providers exist, residents lack the insurance to pay for their services.

Close the coverage gap today

With 1 in 6 Macon residents uninsured, coverage is urgent and available. Explore marketplace plans at Healthcare.gov, ask about Medicaid eligibility, and use community health centers that offer sliding-scale fees based on income.

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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.

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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.