Chester County Health Data

Chester County, Tennessee

Health Score

26/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.8 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.8 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

11.4%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

29

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

97

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Chester County, Tennessee

Chester edges past national average

At 72.8 years, Chester County residents live slightly longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years—actually, that's about 3.6 years shorter; Chester's strength is relative to Tennessee, not the nation. The county's 24.2% poor or fair health rate exceeds the national average of 17%, suggesting higher chronic disease burden. Despite better longevity, Chester's population reports significant health struggles.

Top quartile for life expectancy

Chester's 72.8-year life expectancy ranks among Tennessee's best, trailing only a few counties and exceeding the state average of 72.4 by 0.4 years. Its 11.4% uninsured rate sits just below the state average of 11.9%, meaning strong insurance coverage. Chester performs well on both metrics—a rare combination in rural Tennessee.

Best-in-class longevity locally

Chester's 72.8-year life expectancy leads nearby counties including Carroll (70.6), Claiborne (71.0), and Coffee (71.8). However, the county's 29 primary care providers per 100,000 residents tie with Carter as the lowest among neighbors, a surprising gap. Exceptional mental health support at 97 per 100K—the highest in the region—partially compensates for primary care sparsity.

Strong insurance, sparse primary care

Chester's 11.4% uninsured rate is excellent and the county's mental health infrastructure at 97 providers per 100K is exceptional—the best in the region. Yet the county has only 29 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, creating potential delays for routine physicals and screenings. This mismatch between mental health and primary care access is unusual and may reflect specialized demand.

Maintain coverage, leverage support

If uninsured, Chester residents should explore healthcare.gov or TennCare to close the small remaining gap and secure preventive care. Those covered should advocate for primary care expansion—the county's strong mental health resources show commitment to health, but primary care remains the foundation. Demand shapes supply: more patients seeking primary care encourages provider recruitment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Chester County, TN?
Chester County has a health score of 26/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #44 out of 95 counties in Tennessee (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 Chester County?
Life expectancy in Chester County is 72.8 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Chester County above the state average.
How does Chester County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Chester County's health score of 26/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 72.8 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 11.4% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Chester County?
Key health factors for Chester County include: life expectancy (72.8 years), uninsured rate (11.4%), and primary care physician access (29:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 97:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Chester County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 26/100 ("Below Average"), Chester County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.8 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 Chester County?
Chester County's health score of 26/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. 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.