Pittsylvania County Health Data

Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Health Score

41/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

74.9 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.7%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

74.9 yr

State avg 75.1 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

8.7%

State avg 7.9%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

8

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

30

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Pittsylvania County, Virginia

Pittsylvania edges toward national norms

At 74.9 years, Pittsylvania's life expectancy nearly matches the U.S. average of 76.4 years, sitting just 1.5 years below. However, 23.4% of residents report poor or fair health—nearly double the national average of ~13%—suggesting high chronic disease burden despite near-average longevity. This mismatch points to quality-of-life challenges among those who survive to older ages.

Average health, high disease burden

Pittsylvania's 74.9-year life expectancy slightly trails Virginia's state average of 75.1 years, placing it in the middle tier of Virginia counties. Yet its 23.4% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's worst, indicating that while residents live long enough, many struggle with disability and chronic conditions. This contradiction demands investigation into quality-of-life factors.

Mixed signals in Southside Virginia

Pittsylvania's 74.9-year life expectancy approximates Orange (75.2) and exceeds Patrick (72.2) by 2.7 years. But its 23.4% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds Orange's 17.5%, suggesting worse underlying disease management despite similar longevity. Pittsylvania's high poor/fair rate places it among the worst in this county cohort, despite decent life expectancy.

Catastrophic primary care shortage

Pittsylvania has just 8 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—a crisis-level shortage that ranks among Virginia's worst. This means roughly 1,250 residents per primary care doctor, forcing long waits and delaying preventive care for chronic diseases. The 8.7% uninsured rate compounds the access crisis, and mental health provision (30 per 100K) is also sparse, leaving residents managing chronic illness without adequate support.

Get insured, find a medical home

Pittsylvania's 8.7% uninsured rate is above the state average of 7.9%—a gap that matters when primary care is so scarce. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to get Medicaid or a marketplace plan, then contact the Pittsylvania Health Department for primary care referrals. Having insurance and a consistent doctor are life-saving necessities in a county with just 8 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Pittsylvania County, VA?
Pittsylvania County has a health score of 41/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #97 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 Pittsylvania County?
Life expectancy in Pittsylvania County is 74.9 years. The Virginia state average is 75.1 years, making Pittsylvania County below the state average.
How does Pittsylvania County health compare to the Virginia average?
Pittsylvania County's health score of 41/100 is below the Virginia average of 56/100. Life expectancy is 74.9 years vs. the state average of 75.1 years. The uninsured rate is 8.7% vs. 7.9% statewide.
What health factors affect Pittsylvania County?
Key health factors for Pittsylvania County include: life expectancy (74.9 years), uninsured rate (8.7%), and primary care physician access (8:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 30:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Pittsylvania County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 41/100 ("Below Average"), Pittsylvania County faces health challenges compared to other counties in Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 74.9 years. 8.7% 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 Pittsylvania County?
Pittsylvania County's health score of 41/100 is below the Virginia average of 56/100. Improving health outcomes often requires investment in healthcare infrastructure, insurance coverage expansion, and community health programs.

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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.