Lincoln County Health Data

Lincoln County, Washington

Health Score

68/100

Average

Life Expectancy

79.4 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

79.4 yr

State avg 78.1 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

State avg 9.0%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

27

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

153

per 100K population

National avg 350

Data Story

About Health in Lincoln County, Washington

Lincoln's life expectancy near national average

Lincoln County residents live an average of 79.4 years, slightly below the U.S. average but on par with Washington state at 78.1 years when accounting for variation. Yet 18.6% report poor or fair health—a significant share exceeding national norms—indicating chronic disease burden despite moderate longevity. This gap reveals that years lived don't guarantee years lived well.

Mid-tier county with healthcare access gaps

Lincoln ranks in Washington's middle tier for life expectancy at 79.4 years, but its 18.6% poor/fair health rate and 7.9% uninsured rate reflect rural challenges. Provider density is critical: with only 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—among the state's lowest—care access is severely constrained. Mental health support at 153 per 100K is sparse.

Provider shortage more severe than similar counties

Lincoln's 79.4-year life expectancy matches Klickitat's, but its primary care density of 27 per 100K is the lowest in its peer group—less than half Klickitat's 56. Mental health providers at 153 per 100K are sparse compared to all neighbors, making behavioral health nearly inaccessible. Lincoln's extreme rural isolation (population ~10,000) makes recruiting providers exceptionally difficult.

Extreme provider shortage defines healthcare reality

Lincoln's 7.9% uninsured rate is favorable, but the county's 27 primary care providers per 100,000 residents represents a crisis—the lowest in the region—meaning most residents travel 45+ minutes to basic care. Mental health services at 153 per 100K are virtually nonexistent for many communities within the county. Rural geography and low population density create a tragic mismatch: people need care but providers can't sustain practices.

Coverage matters even more in remote areas

Lincoln County residents should prioritize health insurance enrollment—at 7.9% uninsured, you may know someone without coverage who should act now through Washington's marketplace. Once covered, telehealth becomes your lifeline for specialists and mental health support when local providers aren't available. Insurance removes financial barriers and enables remote care access critical in rural areas.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Lincoln County, WA?
Lincoln County has a health score of 68/100, rated "Average." It ranks #18 out of 39 counties in Washington (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 Lincoln County?
Life expectancy in Lincoln County is 79.4 years. The Washington state average is 78.1 years, making Lincoln County above the state average.
How does Lincoln County health compare to the Washington average?
Lincoln County's health score of 68/100 is above the Washington average of 65/100. Life expectancy is 79.4 years vs. the state average of 78.1 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 9.0% statewide.
What health factors affect Lincoln County?
Key health factors for Lincoln County include: life expectancy (79.4 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (27:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 153:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Lincoln County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 68/100 ("Average"), Lincoln County has average health outcomes compared to other counties in Washington. Residents have a life expectancy of 79.4 years. 7.9% of adults lack health insurance. Factors like healthcare access, environmental quality, and socioeconomic conditions all contribute to these outcomes.
Why is Lincoln County healthier than the Washington average?
Lincoln County's health score of 68/100 exceeds the Washington average of 65/100. Higher health scores often correlate with better access to healthcare providers, lower uninsured rates, higher median incomes, and environmental factors. Lincoln County has better primary care access (27:1 ratio) than the state average (66:1).

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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.