Richmond County Health Data

Richmond County, North Carolina

Health Score

21/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

68.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.5%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

68.8 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.5%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

21

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

265

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Richmond County, North Carolina

Richmond County's Health Crisis Spans Decades

Richmond County residents live to just 68.8 years—7.6 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years and 5.6 years below North Carolina's average. With 21.7% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces one of the state's most severe health challenges.

Richmond County Ranks Among State's Worst

At 68.8 years, Richmond County has one of North Carolina's lowest life expectancies, and its 12.5% uninsured rate matches the state average. Yet the gap between coverage and health outcomes reveals deeper problems beyond insurance—poverty, access, and chronic disease dominate.

Hardest Hit in the Sandhills Region

Richmond County's 68.8-year life expectancy is the lowest in its peer group, trailing Robeson County (68.0 years is lower, but both are catastrophic) and all Piedmont neighbors. At 21.7% poor/fair health, the county ties Person County as the region's sickest community.

Severe Doctor Shortage Compounds Hardship

Richmond County has only 21 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest density in this county set—forcing residents to travel far for basic care. Though uninsured rates match the state, the dearth of providers means even insured residents struggle to find doctors.

Richmond County Needs Urgent Healthcare Action

Richmond County's 68.8-year life expectancy demands immediate intervention, starting with ensuring all residents have insurance. Visit healthcare.gov or call N.C. Medicaid at 1-888-453-4647 to check eligibility—coverage alone won't fix everything, but it's a critical first step.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Richmond County, NC?
Richmond County has a health score of 21/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #87 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 Richmond County?
Life expectancy in Richmond County is 68.8 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Richmond County below the state average.
How does Richmond County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Richmond County's health score of 21/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 68.8 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 12.5% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Richmond County?
Key health factors for Richmond County include: life expectancy (68.8 years), uninsured rate (12.5%), and primary care physician access (21:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 265:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Richmond County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 21/100 ("Below Average"), Richmond County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 68.8 years. 12.5% 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 Richmond County?
Richmond County's health score of 21/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 12.5% 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.