Essex County Health Data
Essex County, Virginia
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
31/100
Below Avg
Life Expectancy
73.0 yr
Uninsured Rate
9.9%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
73.0 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
38
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
66
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
23.9%
State avg 18.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
28.3
per 100K residentsCDC: 37.8 per 100K
Dentists
28.3
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
56.6
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 Essex County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 42.5% | 37.9% | 37.6% | 4.6 pts worse than state |
| Diabetes | 13.5% | 11.7% | 11.2% | 1.8 pts worse than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 37.8% | 34.3% | 33.5% | 3.5 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 24.5% | 24.3% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 17.4% | 15.3% | 16.3% | 2.1 pts worse than state |
| Binge Drinking | 14.4% | 15.8% | 17.8% | 1.4 pts better than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 28.9% | 25.8% | 27.0% | 3.1 pts worse than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 78.6% | 77.2% | 74.9% | 1.4 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 55.6% | 63.2% | 57.3% | 7.6 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 74.8% | 76.2% | 73.3% | 1.4 pts worse than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Essex | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 20.1% | 18.5% | 18.6% | 1.6 pts worse than state |
| Short Sleep Duration | 42.3% | 38.1% | 37.3% | 4.2 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Essex 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
One in Four Essex County Residents Report Poor Health Status
Health data brief for Essex County, Virginia.
Essex County residents report poor or fair health at a rate of 23.9%, a figure higher than the national standard of 17%. This self-reported health status is the most distinct metric for the county. Life expectancy in Essex is 73.0 years, which is shorter than the state figure of 75.1 years and the national figure of 77 years. Provider ratios show 38 primary care physicians and 66 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, both of which are lower than the national medians of 70 and 250, respectively. The uninsured rate in the county is 9.9%, which is higher than the state figure of 7.9% and nearly equal to the national figure of 10%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Essex 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.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Vcu Health Tappahannock Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
Compare health insurance plans from top carriers for Essex County residents.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Essex County, VA?
What is the life expectancy in Essex County?
How does Essex County health compare to the Virginia average?
What health factors affect Essex County?
Is Essex County a healthy place to live?
What are the biggest health challenges in Essex County?
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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.