Charleston County Health Data

Charleston County, South Carolina

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

75/100

Average

Life Expectancy

77.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

77.9 yr

State avg 72.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.7%

State avg 11.6%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

124

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

467

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

12.0%

State avg 20.1%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

27.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 124.0 per 100K

Dentists

9.2

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

10.4

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 Charleston County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureCharlestonState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity29.9%39.2%37.6%9.3 pts better than state
Diabetes10.0%13.5%11.2%3.5 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure29.4%37.3%33.5%7.9 pts better than state
Depression21.8%23.1%24.1%1.3 pts better than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureCharlestonState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking10.6%16.0%16.3%5.4 pts better than state
Binge Drinking22.9%16.3%17.8%6.6 pts worse than state
Physical Inactivity19.6%28.5%27.0%8.9 pts better than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureCharlestonState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup78.0%79.1%74.9%1.1 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)70.1%57.4%57.3%12.7 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)75.7%76.0%73.3%near state average

Daily-life impact

MeasureCharlestonState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress15.1%18.6%18.6%3.5 pts better than state
Short Sleep Duration30.6%39.1%37.3%8.5 pts better than state

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

Mental health provider density reaches 467 per 100,000 in Charleston County

Health data brief for Charleston County, South Carolina.

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

Mental health provider availability in Charleston County stands at 467 per 100,000 residents, a figure much higher than the national median of 250 per 100,000. The primary care provider ratio is 124 per 100,000, also exceeding the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 77.9 years, which is higher than both the South Carolina average of 72.5 years and the national average of 77 years. Approximately 12.0% of the population reports poor or fair health, lower than the national average of 17%. The uninsured rate in Charleston County is 9.7%, which is lower than the state average of 11.6% and slightly below the national average of 10%. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Charleston County, South 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.

Mount Pleasant Hospital

ER
5/5
(843) 724-2954
3510 Highway 17 North Suite 140, Mount Pleasant, SC 29466
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Charleston Va Medical Center

ER
5/5
(843) 577-5011
109 Bee Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationVeterans Health Administration

Roper Hospital

ER
4/5
(843) 724-2800
316 Calhoun St, Charleston, SC 29401
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 Charleston County, SC?
Charleston County has a health score of 75/100, rated "Average." It ranks #1 out of 46 counties in South 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 Charleston County?
Life expectancy in Charleston County is 77.9 years. The South Carolina state average is 72.5 years, making Charleston County above the state average.
How does Charleston County health compare to the South Carolina average?
Charleston County's health score of 75/100 is above the South Carolina average of 36/100. Life expectancy is 77.9 years vs. the state average of 72.5 years. The uninsured rate is 9.7% vs. 11.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Charleston County?
Key health factors for Charleston County include: life expectancy (77.9 years), uninsured rate (9.7%), and primary care physician access (124:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 467:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Charleston County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 75/100 ("Average"), Charleston County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in South Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 77.9 years. 9.7% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Charleston County healthier than the South Carolina average?
Charleston County's health score of 75/100 exceeds the South Carolina average of 36/100. 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.