Wilson County Health Data

Wilson County, North Carolina

Health Score

22/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.6 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.6 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.9%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

40

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

219

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Wilson County, North Carolina

Wilson County faces significant health gap

Wilson County residents live an average of 72.6 years, nearly 6.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 79.2 years. Nearly one in four adults (24.3%) report being in poor or fair health—the highest rate among these four counties—indicating substantial ongoing health challenges and chronic disease burden.

Shortest lifespan in North Carolina group

At 72.6 years, Wilson County's life expectancy ranks 1.8 years below North Carolina's state average of 74.4 years, marking the lowest in this cohort of four counties. The county's uninsured rate of 12.9% sits just slightly above the state average of 12.5%, suggesting broader access barriers beyond insurance alone.

Health disparities clear among peers

Wilson County's life expectancy of 72.6 years lags all three neighboring counties in this analysis, falling 1.4 years below Wilkes County and 3.4 years behind Yancey County. The county does offer 40 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, competitive with its peers, but the higher poor health rate suggests quality-of-care or socioeconomic factors at play.

Access exists, but outcomes lag

Wilson County provides 40 primary care providers and 219 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, offering similar provider availability to comparable rural counties. However, 24.3% of residents reporting poor or fair health and 12.9% lacking insurance suggests that access alone isn't solving the county's health crisis—underlying poverty, chronic disease, and prevention gaps demand urgent attention.

Healthcare starts with coverage

Wilson County residents without insurance can enroll in marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or apply for North Carolina Medicaid to access preventive care and treatment. Local health departments and community health centers offer enrollment help and may offer sliding-scale care regardless of insurance status.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Wilson County, NC?
Wilson County has a health score of 22/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #84 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 Wilson County?
Life expectancy in Wilson County is 72.6 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Wilson County below the state average.
How does Wilson County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Wilson County's health score of 22/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 72.6 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 12.9% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Wilson County?
Key health factors for Wilson County include: life expectancy (72.6 years), uninsured rate (12.9%), and primary care physician access (40:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 219:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Wilson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 22/100 ("Below Average"), Wilson County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.6 years. 12.9% 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 Wilson County?
Wilson County's health score of 22/100 is below the North Carolina average of 41/100. The uninsured rate of 12.9% 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.