Montgomery County Health Data

Montgomery County, North Carolina

Health Score

26/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.2%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.3 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

27

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

146

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Montgomery County, North Carolina

Montgomery County health below national

At 72.3 years, Montgomery County's life expectancy is 2.2 years shorter than the U.S. average of 74.5 years, indicating significant health disadvantages. With 19.6% of residents in poor or fair health—below the national 21% but still elevated—the county faces chronic disease burdens that cut lives short.

Lowest life expectancy in state

Montgomery County's 72.3-year life expectancy is the lowest in North Carolina, trailing the state average of 74.4 years by 2.1 years. This gap signals compounding health challenges—poverty, limited healthcare access, and higher rates of preventable disease—that disproportionately affect this small rural county.

Worst health in this cluster

Montgomery County's 72.3-year life expectancy is significantly lower than Nash County (73.5 years), McDowell County (74.3 years), and Madison County (74.7 years). With just 27 primary care providers per 100K—the lowest of any county profiled—Montgomery residents face the steepest access barriers in the region.

Most uninsured county profiled

Montgomery County's 16.2% uninsured rate is the highest among all counties studied and well above the state average of 12.5%, meaning 1 in 6 residents lack coverage. Combined with the county's critical shortage of 27 primary care providers per 100K, uninsured residents have almost no pathway to preventive care, forcing reliance on emergency services.

Coverage is survival here

With 1 in 6 Montgomery County residents uninsured—the worst rate in this group—healthcare access is a crisis. Call your local health department or visit healthcare.gov immediately to explore Medicaid, CHIP, or marketplace plans; insurance is your lifeline in a county with scarce providers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Montgomery County, NC?
Montgomery County has a health score of 26/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #79 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 Montgomery County?
Life expectancy in Montgomery County is 72.3 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Montgomery County below the state average.
How does Montgomery County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Montgomery County's health score of 26/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 72.3 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 16.2% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Montgomery County?
Key health factors for Montgomery County include: life expectancy (72.3 years), uninsured rate (16.2%), and primary care physician access (27:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 146:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Montgomery County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 26/100 ("Below Average"), Montgomery County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.3 years. 16.2% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
What are the biggest health challenges in Montgomery County?
Montgomery County's health score of 26/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 16.2% means a significant portion of residents may face barriers to healthcare. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.