Lee County Health Data

Lee County, South Carolina

Health Score

15/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

68.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

68.8 yr

State avg 72.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.4%

State avg 11.6%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

12

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

119

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Lee County, South Carolina

Lee faces serious health disparities

At 68.8 years, Lee County residents live 7.3 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—the lowest life expectancy among compared counties. A troubling 27.6% report poor or fair health, far exceeding the national rate of 16% and indicating widespread chronic illness and poverty-related disease.

Lowest life expectancy in South Carolina

Lee County ranks dead last among South Carolina counties for life expectancy at 68.8 years, trailing the state average of 72.5 by 3.7 years. The 27.6% poor/fair health rate is the worst statewide, reflecting concentrated poverty, limited access to care, and preventable disease burden.

Critical gap versus all regional peers

Lee's 68.8-year life expectancy lags every compared county: Hampton (70.3), Laurens (71.5), and all others, by 1.5 to 6.5 years. With just 12 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest statewide—Lee residents face severe doctor shortages that force them to travel 30+ miles for routine care.

Extreme healthcare access crisis

Lee's 11.4% uninsured rate masks a deeper crisis: with only 12 primary care providers per 100,000, insured and uninsured alike cannot find doctors. Mental health capacity (119 per 100,000) exists on paper but cannot meet demand in a county where poverty, diabetes, and heart disease run rampant.

You deserve health care—get insured today

If you're uninsured in Lee County, your risk of medical disaster is acute; enroll in Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately through scdhhs.gov or healthcare.gov. Once covered, navigate to a community health center for affordable, ongoing care that can begin to reverse years of untreated illness.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Lee County, SC?
Lee County has a health score of 15/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #42 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 Lee County?
Life expectancy in Lee County is 68.8 years. The South Carolina state average is 72.5 years, making Lee County below the state average.
How does Lee County health compare to the South Carolina average?
Lee County's health score of 15/100 is below the South Carolina average of 36/100. Life expectancy is 68.8 years vs. the state average of 72.5 years. The uninsured rate is 11.4% vs. 11.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Lee County?
Key health factors for Lee County include: life expectancy (68.8 years), uninsured rate (11.4%), and primary care physician access (12:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 119:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lee County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 15/100 ("Below Average"), Lee County faces health challenges compared to other counties in South Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 68.8 years. 11.4% 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 Lee County?
Lee County's health score of 15/100 is below the South Carolina average of 36/100. The uninsured rate of 11.4% 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.

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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.