DeKalb County Health Data

DeKalb County, Tennessee

Health Score

15/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.7%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

39

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

47

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Life expectancy and health significantly below US

DeKalb County residents live to 71.7 years on average, about 6.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.1 years. The 26.6% poor/fair health rate is among the highest nationally, exceeding the national average by 8.6 percentage points.

Among state's worst health outcomes

DeKalb County's 71.7-year life expectancy matches the state's lower quartile, about 0.7 years below Tennessee's average of 72.4 years. The 26.6% poor/fair health rate represents one of the state's most vulnerable health profiles.

Limited resources in rural context

DeKalb County's 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents exceeds Decatur County (26) but falls short of better-resourced areas like Cumberland County (64). Mental health providers at 47 per 100,000 are among the region's lowest, signaling significant access gaps.

Uninsured rates compound provider shortages

With 13.7% uninsured—the highest in this county group—and only 39 primary care providers per 100,000, DeKalb residents face a dual barrier to healthcare. The 26.6% poor/fair health rate reflects the combined strain of limited coverage and limited access.

Coverage closes critical access gap

At 13.7% uninsured, DeKalb County has the highest rate in this group, meaning thousands lack basic healthcare coverage. Visiting healthcare.gov or contacting local community health centers could connect you with affordable plans and the county's available providers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of DeKalb County, TN?
DeKalb County has a health score of 15/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #89 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 DeKalb County?
Life expectancy in DeKalb County is 71.7 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making DeKalb County below the state average.
How does DeKalb County health compare to the Tennessee average?
DeKalb County's health score of 15/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.7 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.7% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect DeKalb County?
Key health factors for DeKalb County include: life expectancy (71.7 years), uninsured rate (13.7%), and primary care physician access (39:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 47:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is DeKalb County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 15/100 ("Below Average"), DeKalb County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.7 years. 13.7% 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 DeKalb County?
DeKalb County's health score of 15/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 13.7% 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.