McDowell County Health Data
McDowell County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
28/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.3 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.3 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
13.6%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
34
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
212
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.2%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
29.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 33.5 per 100K
Dentists
6.7
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
9.0
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 McDowell County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 35.0% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 2.5 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 10.3% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.6% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Depression | 27.4% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 17.3% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.9% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.6% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 0.7 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 77.0% | 78.1% | 74.9% | 1.1 pts worse than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 52.8% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 6.9 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.0% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 3.3 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | McDowell | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.1% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 0.6 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 36.3% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 0.7 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare McDowell County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Adult poor and fair health rates in McDowell County exceed national average
Health data brief for McDowell County, North Carolina.
In McDowell County, 23.2% of adults report being in poor or fair health, a rate that is higher than the national average of 17%. The county’s life expectancy is 74.3 years, which is nearly identical to the North Carolina average of 74.4 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. Uninsured rates in the county stand at 13.6%, which is higher than the state average of 12.5% and the national average of 10%. Provider access includes 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 212 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Both figures are lower than their respective national medians of 70 and 250. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in McDowell 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →the Mcdowell Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for McDowell County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in North Carolina.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of McDowell County, NC?
What is the life expectancy in McDowell County?
How does McDowell County health compare to the North Carolina average?
What health factors affect McDowell County?
Is McDowell County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in McDowell County?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.