Pender County Health Data
Pender County, North Carolina
Health Score
50/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
75.7 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.7%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
75.7 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
11.7%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
33
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
164
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Pender County, North Carolina
Pender's life expectancy approaches national average
At 75.7 years, Pender County's life expectancy sits 0.7 years below the national average of 76.4 years, placing it near the national middle. About 17.7% of residents report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 17.1%. Pender shows mixed health performance relative to national benchmarks.
Pender slightly outperforms the state average
At 75.7 years, Pender's life expectancy exceeds North Carolina's state average by 1.3 years, though its 17.7% poor/fair health rate sits just above the state midpoint. The uninsured rate of 11.7% is better than the state average of 12.5%, indicating residents have reasonable coverage access. Pender ranks in the state's upper-middle tier on health outcomes.
Limited primary care constrains growth
Pender has 33 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, similar to other eastern North Carolina rural counties but far below strong performers like New Hanover (92 per 100K). Mental health capacity at 164 per 100,000 offers moderate access but lags state leaders. Many residents must travel to New Hanover or other regional centers for specialty care.
Coverage exists, but provider access limits impact
Pender's 11.7% uninsured rate leaves about 88% of residents with some form of coverage, yet 17.7% still report poor health—suggesting access to available providers may be constrained. Rural location and limited specialists require residents to plan ahead for non-emergency care. Strengthening primary care and mental health infrastructure would amplify the benefit of existing coverage.
Insurance access supports Pender's progress
If you're among Pender's 11.7% uninsured residents, coverage is accessible through Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer options. Visit ncdhhs.gov or call 211 to explore your eligibility and enroll. With coverage in place, work with local providers to establish preventive care and help lift Pender's health outcomes.
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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.