Mitchell County Health Data

Mitchell County, North Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

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

Poor / Fair Health

16.7%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

26.7

per 100K residentsCDC: 46.8 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

6.7

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 Mitchell County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureMitchellState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.0%37.5%37.6%near state average
Diabetes9.4%11.2%11.2%1.8 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure32.1%35.3%33.5%3.2 pts better than state
Depression27.5%25.8%24.1%1.7 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureMitchellState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking15.1%16.0%16.3%0.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking17.6%15.9%17.8%1.7 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity22.7%25.3%27.0%2.6 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureMitchellState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup76.8%78.1%74.9%1.3 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)62.8%59.7%57.3%3.1 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)75.3%77.3%73.3%2.0 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureMitchellState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress18.4%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration32.8%35.6%37.3%2.8 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Mitchell County nationally on high blood pressure.

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

Data Story

Mitchell County mental health provider ratio trails national median

Health data brief for Mitchell County, North Carolina.

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

Mitchell County has 127 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a ratio that is nearly half the national median of 250 per 100,000. Data indicates that 16.7% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, which is nearly identical to the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate stands at 11.3%, lower than the state average of 12.5% but slightly higher than the national average of 10%. Life expectancy in the county is 74.1 years, which is just below the North Carolina average of 74.4 years and several years shorter than the national average of 77 years. Primary care provider availability is recorded at 47 per 100,000 residents, below the national median of 70. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Mitchell 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.

Blue Ridge Regional Hospital

ER
3/5
(828) 765-4201
125 Hospital Drive, Spruce Pine, NC 28777
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 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).

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.