Knox County Health Data
Knox County, Tennessee
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
50/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
74.2 yr
State avg 72.4 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.8%
State avg 11.9%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
109
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
441
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.2%
State avg 22.4%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
19.5
per 100K residentsCDC: 109.3 per 100K
Dentists
3.1
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
24.2
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Knox County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Knox | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 34.1% | 39.9% | 37.6% | 5.8 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 11.1% | 12.3% | 11.2% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 34.9% | 37.1% | 33.5% | 2.2 pts better than state |
| Depression | 31.0% | 30.8% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Knox | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 15.7% | 20.7% | 16.3% | 5.0 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 16.9% | 15.6% | 17.8% | 1.3 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.1% | 28.4% | 27.0% | 5.3 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Knox | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 76.9% | 75.4% | 74.9% | 1.5 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 61.8% | 54.4% | 57.3% | 7.4 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 76.5% | 71.9% | 73.3% | 4.6 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Knox | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 19.5% | 21.7% | 18.6% | 2.2 pts better than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 35.0% | 40.0% | 37.3% | 5.0 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Knox County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Knox County Mental Health Provider Density Exceeds National Standards
Health data brief for Knox County, Tennessee.
Knox County features 441 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, significantly more than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Primary care doctors are also available at a higher rate than the national median, with 109 providers per 100,000 compared to 70 per 100,000 nationally. Life expectancy in the county is 74.2 years, which is higher than the Tennessee average of 72.4 years but lower than the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 9.8%, which is lower than both the state average of 11.9% and the national average of 10%. About 17.2% of residents report poor or fair health, aligning closely with the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Knox County, Tennessee
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →University Health System, Inc
ERPhysicians Regional Medical Center
ERFort Sanders Regional Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Knox County residents.
Compare Plans →HealthMarkets
Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Tennessee.
Get a Quote →Sponsored
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Knox County, TN?
What is the life expectancy in Knox County?
How does Knox County health compare to the Tennessee average?
What health factors affect Knox County?
Is Knox County a healthy place to live?
Why is Knox County healthier than the Tennessee average?
Counties with Similar Health Profile
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.