Mercer County Health Data

Mercer County, West Virginia

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

31/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

68.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

68.7 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

State avg 7.6%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

51

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

165

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

22.2%

State avg 24.7%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

15.2

per 100K residentsCDC: 50.8 per 100K

Dentists

6.8

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

18.6

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 Mercer County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureMercerState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity41.0%41.3%37.6%near state average
Diabetes13.6%13.2%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure38.7%39.0%33.5%near state average
Depression33.0%32.4%24.1%0.6 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureMercerState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking22.1%21.4%16.3%0.7 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking15.3%16.0%17.8%0.7 pts better than state
Physical Inactivity32.9%32.6%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureMercerState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup79.1%77.9%74.9%1.2 pts better than state
Dental Visit (past year)54.8%52.1%57.3%2.7 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)77.8%74.4%73.3%3.4 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureMercerState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress23.5%23.4%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration43.9%43.0%37.3%0.9 pts worse than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Mercer County nationally on mammography (women 50–74).

Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.

Data Story

Mercer County reports high rate of poor and fair health

Health data brief for Mercer County, West Virginia.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Poor/fair health rate

Mercer County reports a poor or fair health rate of 22.2%, which is higher than the national average of 17%. Life expectancy for residents is 68.7 years, which is shorter than the state average of 72.2 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate stands at 7.9%, slightly higher than the West Virginia average of 7.6% but lower than the national 10% rate. Regarding medical access, there are 51 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, compared to a national median of 70 per 100,000. For specialized care, the county has 165 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250 per 100,000. Explore state-level data.

Get Care in Mercer County, West 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.

Princeton Community Hospital Assn Inc

ER
2/5
(304) 487-7000
122 12th Street, Princeton, WV 24740
Acute Care HospitalsGovernment - Local

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the health ranking of Mercer County, WV?
Mercer County has a health score of 31/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #38 out of 55 counties in West 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 Mercer County?
Life expectancy in Mercer County is 68.7 years. The West Virginia state average is 72.2 years, making Mercer County below the state average.
How does Mercer County health compare to the West Virginia average?
Mercer County's health score of 31/100 is below the West Virginia average of 37/100. Life expectancy is 68.7 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 7.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Mercer County?
Key health factors for Mercer County include: life expectancy (68.7 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (51:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 165:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Mercer County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 31/100 ("Below Average"), Mercer County faces health challenges compared to other counties in West Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 68.7 years. 7.9% 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 Mercer County?
Mercer County's health score of 31/100 is below the West Virginia average of 37/100. 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.