Washington County Health Data

Washington County, Rhode Island

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

98/100

Excellent

Life Expectancy

80.3 yr

Uninsured Rate

3.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

80.3 yr

State avg 79.9 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

3.7%

State avg 4.2%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

82

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

381

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

11.4%

State avg 13.3%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

22.3

per 100K residentsCDC: 81.9 per 100K

Dentists

11.5

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

11.5

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 Washington County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureWashingtonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity28.0%29.7%37.6%1.7 pts better than state
Diabetes7.1%8.6%11.2%1.5 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure27.8%29.2%33.5%1.4 pts better than state
Depression23.4%24.3%24.1%0.9 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureWashingtonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking10.4%11.2%16.3%0.8 pts better than state
Binge Drinking20.0%19.6%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity16.8%20.7%27.0%3.9 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureWashingtonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup83.2%83.1%74.9%near state average
Dental Visit (past year)76.7%73.3%57.3%3.4 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)80.6%82.5%73.3%1.9 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureWashingtonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.7%16.6%18.6%0.9 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration32.3%33.8%37.3%1.5 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Washington County nationally on physical inactivity.

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

Data Story

Washington County Reports Low Rate of Residents in Poor Health

Health data brief for Washington County, Rhode Island.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

In Washington County, 11.4% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a rate that is notably lower than the national average of 17%. The county also shows an uninsured rate of 3.7%, which is lower than the Rhode Island state average of 4.2% and the national 10% average. Life expectancy in the county is 80.3 years, which is higher than both the state average of 79.9 years and the national average of 77 years. Access to care includes 82 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, exceeding the national median of 70. Mental health provider availability is 381 per 100,000, higher than the national median of 250. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Washington County, Rhode Island

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.

South County Hospital Inc

ER
4/5
(401) 782-8000
100 Kenyon Ave, Wakefield, RI 02879
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Westerly Hospital

ER
4/5
(401) 596-6000
25 Wells Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Acute Care 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 Washington County, RI?
Washington County has a health score of 98/100, rated "Excellent." It ranks #2 out of 5 counties in Rhode Island (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 Washington County?
Life expectancy in Washington County is 80.3 years. The Rhode Island state average is 79.9 years, making Washington County above the state average.
How does Washington County health compare to the Rhode Island average?
Washington County's health score of 98/100 is above the Rhode Island average of 92/100. Life expectancy is 80.3 years vs. the state average of 79.9 years. The uninsured rate is 3.7% vs. 4.2% statewide.
What health factors affect Washington County?
Key health factors for Washington County include: life expectancy (80.3 years), uninsured rate (3.7%), and primary care physician access (82:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 381:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Washington County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 98/100 ("Excellent"), Washington County is one of the healthier counties in Rhode Island. Residents have a life expectancy of 80.3 years. 3.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Washington County healthier than the Rhode Island average?
Washington County's health score of 98/100 exceeds the Rhode Island average of 92/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Washington County has better primary care access (82:1 ratio) than the state average (109:1).

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.