Carter County Health Data

Carter County, Oklahoma

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

20/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.0%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

State avg 72.7 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

16.0%

State avg 15.3%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

58

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

480

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

21.7%

State avg 22.7%

National avg 19.6%

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 Carter County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureCarterState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity39.7%41.1%37.6%1.4 pts better than state
Diabetes11.9%12.0%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure37.8%37.3%33.5%near state average
Depression26.2%26.1%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureCarterState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking18.2%19.1%16.3%0.9 pts better than state
Binge Drinking14.4%15.1%17.8%0.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity33.6%32.7%27.0%0.9 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureCarterState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.0%76.3%74.9%0.7 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)54.4%53.4%57.3%1.0 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)66.9%66.9%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureCarterState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress19.4%19.4%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration39.5%38.6%37.3%0.9 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Carter County nationally on obesity.

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

Data Story

Carter County Mental Health Provider Ratio Exceeds National Median

Health data brief for Carter County, Oklahoma.

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

Carter County has 480 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. This number is nearly double the national median of 250 per 100,000 people. Regarding other health metrics, the life expectancy in the county is 71.7 years, which is shorter than the Oklahoma average of 72.7 years and the national average of 77 years. Data shows that 21.7% of adults report poor or fair health, compared to the national average of 17%. The primary care provider ratio is 58 per 100,000 residents, whereas the national median is 70. The uninsured rate stands at 16.0%, which is slightly higher than the state average of 15.3% and the national average of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Carter County, Oklahoma

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.

Mercy Hospital Ardmore, Inc

ER
4/5
(580) 223-5400
1011 14th Ave Nw, Ardmore, OK 73401
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Church

Exceptional Community Hospital Ardmore

ER
Not rated by CMS
(469) 341-7800
1641 Woerz Way, Ardmore, OK 73401
Acute Care HospitalsProprietary

Mercy Hospital Healdton, Inc.

ER
Not rated by CMS
(580) 229-0701
3462 Hospital Rd, Healdton, OK 73438
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Carter County, OK?
Carter County has a health score of 20/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #43 out of 77 counties in Oklahoma (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 Carter County?
Life expectancy in Carter County is 71.7 years. The Oklahoma state average is 72.7 years, making Carter County below the state average.
How does Carter County health compare to the Oklahoma average?
Carter County's health score of 20/100 is below the Oklahoma average of 24/100. Life expectancy is 71.7 years vs. the state average of 72.7 years. The uninsured rate is 16.0% vs. 15.3% statewide.
What health factors affect Carter County?
Key health factors for Carter County include: life expectancy (71.7 years), uninsured rate (16.0%), and primary care physician access (58:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 480:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Carter County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 20/100 ("Below Average"), Carter County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Oklahoma. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.7 years. 16.0% 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 Carter County?
Carter County's health score of 20/100 is below the Oklahoma average of 24/100. The uninsured rate of 16.0% 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.

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.