Buchanan County Health Data

Buchanan County, Virginia

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

20/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

69.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

69.4 yr

State avg 75.1 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.9%

State avg 7.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

25

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

52

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

26.5%

State avg 18.6%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

30.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 25.2 per 100K

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

85.6

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 Buchanan County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureBuchananState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity38.8%37.9%37.6%0.9 pts worse than state
Diabetes13.2%11.7%11.2%1.5 pts worse than state
High Blood Pressure36.6%34.3%33.5%2.3 pts worse than state
Depression28.4%24.3%24.1%4.1 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureBuchananState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking22.2%15.3%16.3%6.9 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking15.7%15.8%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity31.8%25.8%27.0%6.0 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureBuchananState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup75.8%77.2%74.9%1.4 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)51.6%63.2%57.3%11.6 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)69.6%76.2%73.3%6.6 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureBuchananState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress22.0%18.5%18.6%3.5 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration40.2%38.1%37.3%2.1 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Buchanan 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

Buchanan County Life Expectancy Below Seventy Years

Health data brief for Buchanan County, Virginia.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Buchanan County is 69.4 years, significantly lower than the Virginia state average of 75.1 years and the national average of 77 years. This gap represents the most distinctive health metric for the county. Additionally, 26.5% of residents report poor or fair health, which is higher than the national figure of 17%. The uninsured rate is 9.9%, higher than the state average of 7.9% and nearly equal to the national 10%. Provider availability includes 25 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, lower than the national median of 70. The mental health provider ratio is 52 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250. These figures are reported from the CDC County Health Rankings and HHS provider databases. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Buchanan County, Virginia

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.

Buchanan General Hospital

ER
4/5
(276) 935-1000
1535 Slate Creek Road, Grundy, VA 24614
Acute Care HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

Sources: Hospital data: CMS Care Compare. Quality ratings: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Community health center directory: HRSA. Last reviewed 2026-05-14.

Information is for general guidance only and is not medical advice. Always call ahead to confirm services, hours, and insurance accepted. In a medical emergency, dial 911.

eHealth Insurance

Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Buchanan County residents.

Compare Plans →

HealthMarkets

Licensed agents for health, Medicare, and supplemental insurance in Virginia.

Get a Quote →

Sponsored

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Buchanan County, VA?
Buchanan County has a health score of 20/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #133 out of 133 counties in Virginia (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 Buchanan County?
Life expectancy in Buchanan County is 69.4 years. The Virginia state average is 75.1 years, making Buchanan County below the state average.
How does Buchanan County health compare to the Virginia average?
Buchanan County's health score of 20/100 is below the Virginia average of 56/100. Life expectancy is 69.4 years vs. the state average of 75.1 years. The uninsured rate is 9.9% vs. 7.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Buchanan County?
Key health factors for Buchanan County include: life expectancy (69.4 years), uninsured rate (9.9%), and primary care physician access (25:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 52:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Buchanan County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 20/100 ("Below Average"), Buchanan County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 69.4 years. 9.9% 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 Buchanan County?
Buchanan County's health score of 20/100 is below the Virginia average of 56/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

Counties with Similar Health Profile

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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.