Onslow County Health Data
Onslow County, North Carolina
Health Score
52/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.1 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.5%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.1 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.5%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
31
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
289
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Onslow County, North Carolina
Onslow's health mirrors North Carolina's mixed picture
At 74.1 years, Onslow's life expectancy sits slightly below the national average of 76.4 years and barely trails the state average of 74.4 years. About 16.9% of residents report poor or fair health, closer to the national norm (17.1%) than to the state's best performers. This positions Onslow as a middle-performing county with room for improvement.
Onslow ranks near the state's middle on health metrics
Onslow's life expectancy of 74.1 years is virtually at the state average, while its 16.9% poor/fair health rate sits near the midpoint among North Carolina counties. The uninsured rate of 9.5% is notably better than the state average of 12.5%, suggesting residents have relatively good coverage access. These mixed signals suggest that insurance availability isn't fully translating into optimal health outcomes.
Primary care capacity lags regional leaders
Onslow offers 31 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—robust compared to rural eastern North Carolina but well below strong coastal performers like New Hanover (92 per 100K). Mental health providers number 289 per 100,000, providing moderate access that falls short of state leaders. The gap widens with specialists, requiring many residents to travel to larger medical centers.
Better coverage, but provider gaps persist
Onslow's 9.5% uninsured rate—among the state's best—means most residents have insurance, yet 16.9% still report poor health, suggesting access to providers or quality of care may limit outcomes. Residents often face waits for primary care appointments and limited mental health services relative to population. Improving primary care efficiency and expanding behavioral health capacity could help translate coverage into better health.
Nearly all Onslow residents have coverage options
With only 9.5% of Onslow residents uninsured, coverage is within reach for nearly everyone. If you're uninsured, visit ncdhhs.gov or call 211 to check Medicaid eligibility or marketplace tax credits. Once covered, work with your primary care provider to establish regular preventive care—the foundation for the healthier outcomes Onslow can achieve.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.