Yancey County Health Data

Yancey County, North Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

51/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

76.0 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

76.0 yr

State avg 74.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

12.8%

State avg 12.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

59

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

238

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

16.8%

State avg 19.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

32.1

per 100K residentsCDC: 58.6 per 100K

Dentists

5.4

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

10.7

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 Yancey County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureYanceyState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity35.6%37.5%37.6%1.9 pts better than state
Diabetes10.0%11.2%11.2%1.2 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure32.9%35.3%33.5%2.4 pts better than state
Depression28.3%25.8%24.1%2.5 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureYanceyState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking16.6%16.0%16.3%0.6 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking17.2%15.9%17.8%1.3 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity24.0%25.3%27.0%1.3 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureYanceyState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup76.7%78.1%74.9%1.4 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)63.6%59.7%57.3%3.9 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)77.0%77.3%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureYanceyState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.0%18.5%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration32.0%35.6%37.3%3.6 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Yancey 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

Yancey County Life Expectancy Surpasses North Carolina State Average

Health data brief for Yancey County, North Carolina.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

The average life expectancy in Yancey County is 76.0 years, which is longer than the North Carolina average of 74.4 years but shorter than the national average of 77 years. Other health indicators show that 16.8% of adults in the county report poor or fair health, compared to a national average of 17%. The county’s uninsured rate stands at 12.8%, compared to a state average of 12.5% and a national average of 10%. For health services, Yancey County has 59 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and 238 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. For comparison, the national medians are 70 primary care providers and 250 mental health providers per 100,000 people. These data points provide a statistical overview of health outcomes and provider capacity in the county. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Yancey 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

No CMS Care Compare hospital is located in Yancey County.

This is common in low-population rural counties. Residents typically travel to a hospital in a neighboring county or larger metro. Use Medicare.gov Care Compare to find rated hospitals statewide or contact a federally-funded community health center for primary and preventive care.

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Yancey County residents.

Compare Plans →

HealthMarkets

Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in North Carolina.

Get a Quote →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Yancey County, NC?
Yancey County has a health score of 51/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #26 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 Yancey County?
Life expectancy in Yancey County is 76.0 years. The North Carolina state average is 74.4 years, making Yancey County above the state average.
How does Yancey County health compare to the North Carolina average?
Yancey County's health score of 51/100 is above the North Carolina average of 41/100. Life expectancy is 76.0 years vs. the state average of 74.4 years. The uninsured rate is 12.8% vs. 12.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Yancey County?
Key health factors for Yancey County include: life expectancy (76.0 years), uninsured rate (12.8%), and primary care physician access (59:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 238:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Yancey County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 51/100 ("Below Average"), Yancey County faces health challenges compared to other counties in North Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 76.0 years. 12.8% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Yancey County healthier than the North Carolina average?
Yancey County's health score of 51/100 exceeds the North Carolina average of 41/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.