Marion County Health Data
Marion County, South Carolina
Health Score
14/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
68.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
12.4%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
68.2 yr
State avg 72.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
12.4%
State avg 11.6%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
38
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
182
per 100K population
National avg 350
Data Story
About Health in Marion County, South Carolina
Marion lags on life expectancy
Marion County residents live 68.2 years on average, nearly 7 years less than the U.S. median of 76.1 years. One in four residents (26.1%) reports poor or fair health, well above the national average of 18%. These gaps reflect deeper healthcare and economic challenges that shape daily life across the county.
Second-lowest life expectancy in SC
Marion ranks among South Carolina's hardest-hit counties on health, with life expectancy 4.3 years below the state average of 72.5 years. Only Marlboro County ranks lower statewide, signaling that Marion faces concentrated health disparities. The county's 26.1% poor/fair health rate is also significantly worse than the state trend.
Healthier outcomes in nearby counties
Marion's 68.2-year life expectancy contrasts sharply with McCormick County (73.3 years) and Orangeburg County (70.1 years) nearby. Marion also has fewer primary care providers at 38 per 100,000 residents compared to McCormick's 51, making routine healthcare less accessible. Despite having more mental health providers (182 per 100K), Marion's overall health profile remains among the region's weakest.
One in eight lacks health insurance
Marion's 12.4% uninsured rate tops the state average by 0.8 percentage points, meaning roughly 2,000 county residents lack coverage. Combined with limited primary care access, uninsured residents often delay care or rely on emergency departments instead of preventive visits. Mental health support is more available, but navigating the broader healthcare system remains difficult without insurance.
Take the next step on coverage
If you're uninsured in Marion County, check your eligibility for Medicaid expansion coverage and marketplace plans at healthcare.gov or through South Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services. Many community health centers also offer sliding-scale fees for uninsured patients. Getting covered is the first step toward regular care that can extend your healthspan.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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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.