Dorchester County Health Data
Dorchester County, South Carolina
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
59/100
Average
Life Expectancy
76.4 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.4%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
76.4 yr
State avg 72.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
10.4%
State avg 11.6%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
32
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
150
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
16.7%
State avg 20.1%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
14.6
per 100K residentsCDC: 31.8 per 100K
Dentists
8.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
5.5
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 Dorchester County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Dorchester | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 35.0% | 39.2% | 37.6% | 4.2 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 11.4% | 13.5% | 11.2% | 2.1 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 32.8% | 37.3% | 33.5% | 4.5 pts better than state |
| Depression | 22.1% | 23.1% | 24.1% | 1.0 pts better than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Dorchester | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 13.1% | 16.0% | 16.3% | 2.9 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 17.6% | 16.3% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 24.0% | 28.5% | 27.0% | 4.5 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Dorchester | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 79.3% | 79.1% | 74.9% | near state average |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 65.2% | 57.4% | 57.3% | 7.8 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 73.2% | 76.0% | 73.3% | 2.8 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Dorchester | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 16.8% | 18.6% | 18.6% | 1.8 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 37.6% | 39.1% | 37.3% | 1.5 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Dorchester 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
Dorchester County Primary Care Access Trails National Median Significantly
Health data brief for Dorchester County, South Carolina.
In Dorchester County, there are 32 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national median of 70. While provider ratios are lower than many national peers, other indicators align closer to state and national norms. The life expectancy in the county is 76.4 years, exceeding the South Carolina state average of 72.5 years and approaching the national average of 77 years. Approximately 16.7% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a figure that matches the national average. Regarding insurance, 10.4% of the population is uninsured, which is lower than the state average of 11.6% but slightly above the national average of 10%. Mental health services are supported by 150 providers per 100,000 residents, below the national median of 250. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Dorchester 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Roper St Francis Hospital-berkeley Inc
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Dorchester County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Dorchester County, SC?
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How does Dorchester County health compare to the South Carolina average?
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Why is Dorchester County healthier than the South Carolina average?
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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.