Mitchell County Health Data

Mitchell County, North Carolina

Health Score

48/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.1 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.3%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

47

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

127

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Mitchell County, North Carolina

Mitchell County near national average

Mitchell County's 74.1-year life expectancy sits just 0.4 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years, keeping the county competitive nationally. At 16.7% poor/fair health, it ranks below the national average of 21%, suggesting residents manage chronic conditions relatively well despite rural constraints.

Middle-of-the-road health outcomes

Mitchell County's 74.1-year life expectancy trails North Carolina's 74.4-year state average by just 0.3 years, placing it near the statewide median. The 16.7% poor/fair health rate is below the state trend, indicating Mitchell County residents maintain better-than-average health status for a rural Appalachian county.

Competitive with mountain peers

Mitchell County's 74.1-year life expectancy nearly matches Madison County's 74.7 years and McDowell County's 74.3 years, though it trails Mecklenburg County's 78.8 years by far. The county's 47 primary care providers per 100K exceeds McDowell's 34 but lags Moore County's 111, revealing uneven healthcare distribution across mountain regions.

Affordable coverage, limited doctors

Mitchell County's 11.3% uninsured rate is below the state average, meaning most residents have some insurance pathway. However, with only 47 primary care providers per 100K and 127 mental health providers per 100K, residents often travel substantial distances for specialist care and behavioral health services.

Secure your health safety net

About 1 in 9 Mitchell County residents lack health insurance, risking debt from unexpected illness. Visit healthcare.gov or your county health department to enroll in coverage—having insurance means you can see a doctor before an ailment becomes an emergency.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Mitchell County, NC?
Mitchell County has a health score of 48/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #34 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 Mitchell County?
Life expectancy in Mitchell County is 74.1 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Mitchell County below the state average.
How does Mitchell County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Mitchell County's health score of 48/100 is above the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 74.1 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 11.3% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Mitchell County?
Key health factors for Mitchell County include: life expectancy (74.1 years), uninsured rate (11.3%), and primary care physician access (47:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 127:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Mitchell County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 48/100 ("Below Average"), Mitchell County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.1 years. 11.3% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Mitchell County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Mitchell County's health score of 48/100 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. Mitchell County has better primary care access (47:1 ratio) than the state average (52:1).

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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.