Macon County Health Data

Macon County, Tennessee

Health Score

18/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.3%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.5 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

14.3%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

20

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

4

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Macon County, Tennessee

Life expectancy below national standard

Macon County residents live an average of 71.5 years, trailing the U.S. life expectancy of 76.4 years by 4.9 years. Nearly 23% of adults report poor or fair health, notably higher than the national average of about 18%. These gaps suggest challenges in chronic disease management and access to preventive services.

Slightly below Tennessee's state average

At 71.5 years, Macon County's life expectancy falls 0.9 years below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average. The county's 23.1% poor/fair health rate ranks it in the lower-middle range of Tennessee counties. Local healthcare infrastructure and insurance access warrant attention to support better outcomes.

Mental health access critically limited

Macon County has 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and critically low mental health provider availability at just 4 per 100,000—the lowest across all eight counties. This severe mental health deficit stands out sharply against Lawrence County's 95 per 100,000 or Madison County's 316 per 100,000. Residents struggling with behavioral health have virtually no local options and must travel significant distances.

High uninsured rate compounds access barriers

Macon County's uninsured rate of 14.3% is among the highest in this eight-county group and exceeds Tennessee's state average of 11.9%. With only 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and severely limited mental health capacity, uninsured residents face formidable barriers to care. The combination of low coverage and low provider supply creates a critical healthcare access crisis.

Coverage is your first step to better health

In Macon County, 14% of residents lack health insurance, leaving them vulnerable to both health crises and financial hardship. Visit Healthcare.gov to explore affordable coverage options and subsidies available to your household. Getting insured is essential when local provider access is already strained.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Macon 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 Macon County, TN?
Macon County has a health score of 18/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #80 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 Macon County?
Life expectancy in Macon County is 71.5 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Macon County below the state average.
How does Macon County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Macon County's health score of 18/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.5 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 14.3% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Macon County?
Key health factors for Macon County include: life expectancy (71.5 years), uninsured rate (14.3%), and primary care physician access (20:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 4:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Macon County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 18/100 ("Below Average"), Macon County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.5 years. 14.3% 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 Macon County?
Macon County's health score of 18/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 14.3% 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.

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.