Orangeburg County Health Data

Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Health Score

23/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

70.1 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.1%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

70.1 yr

State avg 72.5 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.1%

State avg 11.6%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

48

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

233

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Orangeburg below U.S. health benchmarks

Orangeburg County residents live 70.1 years on average, 6 years less than the U.S. median of 76.1 years. Nearly 23% report poor or fair health, exceeding the national 18% average and signaling significant health challenges. Orangeburg's gap from national norms reflects economic pressures and healthcare access barriers affecting a substantial share of residents.

Below-average but stable statewide

Orangeburg's 70.1-year life expectancy trails South Carolina's 72.5-year average by 2.4 years, placing it in the lower half of statewide rankings. The 22.7% poor/fair health rate is notably above state trends, reflecting concentrated health burdens in the county. Orangeburg faces real health challenges but ranks above Marlboro and Marion, suggesting capacity for improvement with targeted investment.

Moderate access amid regional inequality

Orangeburg's 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents positions it between Marlboro's shortage (11 per 100K) and Newberry's strength (66 per 100K). The county's 233 mental health providers per 100K far exceed Marlboro's count, suggesting mental health infrastructure investment. However, Orangeburg's 70.1-year life expectancy remains below most neighbors, indicating that provider capacity alone hasn't fully offset other barriers.

Strong coverage but persistent health gaps

Orangeburg's 11.1% uninsured rate is actually slightly below the state average, suggesting that coverage is not the primary barrier. Instead, wealth disparities, chronic disease burden, and transportation challenges likely drive the 22.7% poor/fair health rate and 70.1-year life expectancy. Even insured residents may struggle accessing or affording care, reflecting deeper structural inequities.

Coverage + preventive care matter

Orangeburg residents should ensure they have active health insurance and commit to annual preventive visits—coverage is a foundation but engagement drives change. If uninsured, healthcare.gov and Medicaid options are available to close immediate gaps. Building consistent relationships with primary care providers and addressing chronic conditions early can help close the health gap between Orangeburg and healthier South Carolina counties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Orangeburg County, SC?
Orangeburg County has a health score of 23/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #33 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 Orangeburg County?
Life expectancy in Orangeburg County is 70.1 years. The South Carolina state average is 72.5 years, making Orangeburg County below the state average.
How does Orangeburg County health compare to the South Carolina average?
Orangeburg County's health score of 23/100 is below the South Carolina average of 36/100. Life expectancy is 70.1 years vs. the state average of 72.5 years. The uninsured rate is 11.1% vs. 11.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Orangeburg County?
Key health factors for Orangeburg County include: life expectancy (70.1 years), uninsured rate (11.1%), and primary care physician access (48:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 233:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Orangeburg County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 23/100 ("Below Average"), Orangeburg County faces health challenges compared to other counties in South Carolina. Residents have a life expectancy of 70.1 years. 11.1% 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 Orangeburg County?
Orangeburg County's health score of 23/100 is below the South Carolina average of 36/100. The uninsured rate of 11.1% 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.