Wake County Health Data
Wake County, North Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
83/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
81.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.6%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
81.0 yr
State avg 74.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
8.6%
State avg 12.5%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
86
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
430
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
12.6%
State avg 19.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
14.9
per 100K residentsCDC: 86.4 per 100K
Dentists
4.0
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
10.4
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 Wake County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Wake | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 28.9% | 37.5% | 37.6% | 8.6 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.0% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 2.2 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.2% | 35.3% | 33.5% | 4.1 pts better than state |
| Depression | 23.1% | 25.8% | 24.1% | 2.7 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Wake | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 9.5% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 6.5 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 15.0% | 15.9% | 17.8% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 17.9% | 25.3% | 27.0% | 7.4 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Wake | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 79.8% | 78.1% | 74.9% | 1.7 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 70.4% | 59.7% | 57.3% | 10.7 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 80.4% | 77.3% | 73.3% | 3.1 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Wake | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 14.9% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 3.6 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 31.6% | 35.6% | 37.3% | 4.0 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Wake County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Wake County Life Expectancy Reaches Eighty One Years
Health data brief for Wake County, North Carolina.
Wake County residents have a life expectancy of 81.0 years, a figure that is higher than the North Carolina average of 74.4 years and the national average of 77 years. The county's uninsured rate is 8.6%, which is lower than the state average of 12.5% and the national average of 10%. Additionally, 12.6% of adults report being in poor or fair health, below the national average of 17%. Provider density in the county includes 86 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, which is above the national median of 70. Mental health provider availability is also notably high at 430 per 100,000, surpassing the national median of 250. These data points provide a context for health indicators and resource distribution within the county. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Wake 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Rex Hospital
ERWakemed, Cary Hospital
ERWakemed, Raleigh Campus
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Wake County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in North Carolina.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Wake County, NC?
What is the life expectancy in Wake County?
How does Wake County health compare to the North Carolina average?
What health factors affect Wake County?
Is Wake County a healthy place to live?
Why is Wake County healthier than the North Carolina average?
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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.