Scott County Health Data

Scott County, Tennessee

Health Score

17/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.4%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.4 yr

State avg 72.4 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

13.4%

State avg 11.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

23

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

59

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Scott County, Tennessee

Scott struggles below national health standards

Scott County's 71.4-year life expectancy falls below the U.S. average of 71.4 years, placing the county in the bottom tier for health outcomes. Nearly 1 in 4 residents (24.9%) report poor or fair health—among the worst rates in the nation and well above the U.S. baseline. These metrics signal acute health challenges requiring immediate intervention.

Scott ranks worst among Tennessee peers

Scott County's 71.4-year life expectancy sits 1 full year below Tennessee's 72.4-year state average, making it the lowest among the eight profiled counties. At 13.4% uninsured—significantly above Tennessee's 11.9% average—Scott residents face compounded coverage gaps that block preventive care access. These dual challenges position Scott as among Tennessee's most vulnerable counties.

Scott faces steepest regional health barriers

Scott's 71.4-year life expectancy trails every neighboring county—Roane (72.6), Robertson (72.7), and Sequatchie (75.2)—by half a year to nearly four years. With only 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents (the lowest regionally), Scott families travel farthest for basic care. The combination of provider shortage and high uninsured rate (13.4%) creates a health crisis in slow motion.

Provider desert blocks daily care access

Scott County's 23 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represent a critical shortage—less than half Rutherford's rate—forcing residents to travel far for routine checkups and prescription management. With 13.4% uninsured, over 1 in 7 Scott residents skip preventive visits entirely, delaying diagnosis of treatable conditions until emergencies arise. This access gap directly contributes to the county's grim life expectancy and high poor/fair health rates.

Coverage is your first health action

Scott County residents without insurance face the steepest barrier to health improvement—start enrollment at Healthcare.gov or contact the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance to explore Medicaid and subsidized marketplace plans. Once covered, seek out available primary care providers and commit to preventive visits, screenings, and chronic disease management. Getting covered today is the single most impactful step toward reversing Scott's health crisis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Scott County, TN?
Scott County has a health score of 17/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #86 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 Scott County?
Life expectancy in Scott County is 71.4 years. The Tennessee state average is 72.4 years, making Scott County below the state average.
How does Scott County health compare to the Tennessee average?
Scott County's health score of 17/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. Life expectancy is 71.4 years vs. the state average of 72.4 years. The uninsured rate is 13.4% vs. 11.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Scott County?
Key health factors for Scott County include: life expectancy (71.4 years), uninsured rate (13.4%), and primary care physician access (23:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 59:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Scott County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 17/100 ("Below Average"), Scott County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Tennessee. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.4 years. 13.4% 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 Scott County?
Scott County's health score of 17/100 is below the Tennessee average of 29/100. The uninsured rate of 13.4% 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.