Jackson County Health Data

Jackson County, Tennessee

Health Score

17/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.8%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.9 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.8%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

9

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

N/A

per 100K population

Data Story

About Health in Jackson County, Tennessee

Jackson County's health below U.S. averages

Jackson County residents have a life expectancy of 71.9 years, roughly 2.6 years below the U.S. average of 74.5 years. More than one in four residents (25.4%) report poor or fair health, compared to 17.8% nationally. These health gaps reflect significant challenges facing the county.

Jackson ranks 58th among Tennessee counties

At 71.9 years, Jackson County's life expectancy trails Tennessee's 72.4-year state average by 0.5 years. The county's 25.4% poor/fair health rate is among Tennessee's worst, exceeding the state average by 7.3 percentage points. Jackson faces below-average health outcomes statewide.

Poorest primary care access in the region

Jackson County's life expectancy of 71.9 years is lower than Jefferson County (72.9 years) and Johnson County (72.3 years). Most critically, its primary care access is the most limited in the region at just 9 providers per 100K—less than one-fifth of Knox County's 109 per 100K. With 13.8% uninsured, Jackson residents face steep barriers to basic care.

Severe primary care shortage defines local care

Jackson County's 13.8% uninsured rate is the highest among regional peers, leaving thousands without affordable healthcare access. With only 9 primary care providers per 100K, residents often travel far for routine care or skip preventive visits entirely. Mental health data is limited, but the broader provider shortage suggests limited behavioral health capacity.

Take action on health insurance today

With one in seven Jackson County residents uninsured, affordable coverage options are worth exploring immediately. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to see plans in your price range and check eligibility for Medicaid or tax credits. Getting insured removes barriers to care and protects your family's financial health.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Jackson County, TN?
Jackson County has a health score of 17/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #87 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 Jackson County?
Life expectancy in Jackson County is 71.9 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Jackson County below the state average.
How does Jackson County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Jackson County's health score of 17/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.9 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.8% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Jackson County?
Key health factors for Jackson County include: life expectancy (71.9 years), uninsured rate (13.8%), and primary care physician access (9:1 (population to primary care physicians)). These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Jackson County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 17/100 ("Below Average"), Jackson County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.9 years. 13.8% 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 Jackson County?
Jackson County's health score of 17/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 13.8% 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.