Whatcom County Health Data
Whatcom County, Washington
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
80/100
Excellent
Life Expectancy
79.6 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.8%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.6 yr
State avg 78.1 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.8%
State avg 9.0%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
94
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
632
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
15.0%
State avg 17.5%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
20.1
per 100K residentsCDC: 94.0 per 100K
Dentists
3.5
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
4.8
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 Whatcom County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Whatcom | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 27.3% | 34.2% | 37.6% | 6.9 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 7.9% | 9.2% | 11.2% | 1.3 pts better than state |
| High Blood Pressure | 26.4% | 29.1% | 33.5% | 2.7 pts better than state |
| Depression | 30.1% | 26.2% | 24.1% | 3.9 pts worse than state |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Whatcom | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 11.6% | 12.4% | 16.3% | 0.8 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 19.1% | 18.1% | 17.8% | 1.0 pts worse than state |
| Physical Inactivity | 16.5% | 19.6% | 27.0% | 3.1 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Whatcom | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 68.7% | 68.1% | 74.9% | 0.6 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 65.6% | 62.5% | 57.3% | 3.1 pts better than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 72.3% | 70.6% | 73.3% | 1.7 pts better than state |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Whatcom | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 18.5% | 18.3% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 30.1% | 32.8% | 37.3% | 2.7 pts better than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Whatcom County nationally on obesity.
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Whatcom County Mental Health Provider Ratios Lead Region
Health data brief for Whatcom County, Washington.
The mental health provider ratio in Whatcom County is 632 per 100,000 residents, more than 2.5 times the national median of 250 per 100,000. Life expectancy is also high at 79.6 years, exceeding the state average of 78.1 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 7.8%, lower than both the Washington average of 9.0% and the national average of 10%. Primary care providers are available at a rate of 94 per 100,000, which is higher than the national median of 70 per 100,000. Residents report a poor or fair health rate of 15.0%, lower than the national average of 17%. These data points characterize the local health environment based on reported CDC and HHS figures. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Whatcom County, Washington
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 →St Joseph Hospital
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Whatcom County, WA?
What is the life expectancy in Whatcom County?
How does Whatcom County health compare to the Washington average?
What health factors affect Whatcom County?
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Why is Whatcom County healthier than the Washington average?
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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.