Athens County Health Data

Athens County, Ohio

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

53/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.8 yr

State avg 74.8 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.4%

State avg 7.5%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

63

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

665

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

18.3%

State avg 19.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

14.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 62.8 per 100K

Dentists

1.6

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

4.9

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 Athens County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureAthensState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity37.9%39.0%37.6%1.1 pts better than state
Diabetes12.6%11.3%11.2%1.3 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure36.6%34.0%33.5%2.6 pts worse than state
Depression30.0%27.2%24.1%2.8 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureAthensState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.0%17.5%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking19.8%18.3%17.8%1.5 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity26.5%27.9%27.0%1.4 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureAthensState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.1%77.2%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)62.3%60.0%57.3%2.3 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)73.7%73.9%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureAthensState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress20.1%19.5%18.6%0.6 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration38.7%39.4%37.3%0.7 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Athens County nationally on depression.

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Athens County Mental Health Provider Density Far Exceeds National Median

Health data brief for Athens County, Ohio.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Mental health access

Athens County reports 665 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, more than double the national median of 250 per 100,000. This high ratio is the most prominent health infrastructure metric in the county. Primary care provider density is 63 per 100,000, which is closer to the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 74.8 years, matching the Ohio state average exactly, though it remains shorter than the national average of 77 years. The rate of residents reporting poor or fair health is 18.3%, slightly higher than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate is 8.4%, which is higher than the state average of 7.5% but lower than the national average of 10%. Data is compiled from the CDC and HHS NPPES. Visit the CDC County Health Rankings website for more information.

Get Care in Athens County, Ohio

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.

Ohiohealth O'bleness Hospital

ER
3/5
(740) 593-5551
55 Hospital Drive, Athens, OH 45701
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Other

Appalachian Behavioral Health Care

Not rated by CMS
(740) 594-5000
100 Hospital Drive, Athens, OH 45701
PsychiatricProprietary

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Athens County, OH?
Athens County has a health score of 53/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #46 out of 88 counties in Ohio (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 Athens County?
Life expectancy in Athens County is 74.8 years. The Ohio state average is 74.8 years, making Athens County below the state average.
How does Athens County health compare to the Ohio average?
Athens County's health score of 53/100 is below the Ohio average of 55/100. Life expectancy is 74.8 years vs. the state average of 74.8 years. The uninsured rate is 8.4% vs. 7.5% statewide.
What health factors affect Athens County?
Key health factors for Athens County include: life expectancy (74.8 years), uninsured rate (8.4%), and primary care physician access (63:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 665:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Athens County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 53/100 ("Below Average"), Athens County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Ohio. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.8 years. 8.4% 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 Athens County?
Athens County's health score of 53/100 is below the Ohio average of 55/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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.