Nicholas County Health Data

Nicholas County, West Virginia

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

34/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

71.7 yr

Uninsured Rate

7.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

71.7 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

86

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

141

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

22.9%

State avg 24.7%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

24.5

per 100K residentsCDC: 86.4 per 100K

Dentists

8.2

per 100K residents

Nurse Practitioners & PAs

20.5

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 Nicholas County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasureNicholasState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.3%41.3%37.6%1.0 pts better than state
Diabetes12.6%13.2%11.2%0.6 pts better than state
High Blood Pressure38.4%39.0%33.5%0.6 pts better than state
Depression33.1%32.4%24.1%0.7 pts worse than state

Health-risk behaviors

MeasureNicholasState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking21.3%21.4%16.3%near state average
Binge Drinking15.8%16.0%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity32.4%32.6%27.0%near state average

Preventive-care uptake

MeasureNicholasState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup77.1%77.9%74.9%0.8 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)54.7%52.1%57.3%2.6 pts better than state
Mammography (women 50–74)76.7%74.4%73.3%2.3 pts better than state

Daily-life impact

MeasureNicholasState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress23.5%23.4%18.6%near state average
Short Sleep Duration42.3%43.0%37.3%0.7 pts better than state

These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Nicholas 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

Nicholas County life expectancy shorter than state and national figures

Health data brief for Nicholas County, West Virginia.

By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorPublished Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor
Lead metric:Life expectancy

Life expectancy in Nicholas County is 71.7 years, which is lower than the West Virginia state figure of 72.2 years and significantly shorter than the national result of 77 years. The county reports that 22.9% of residents are in poor or fair health, compared to the 17% national average. Regarding clinical services, there are 86 primary care providers for every 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national median of 70. For mental health, the county has 141 providers per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national median of 250. The uninsured rate in the county stands at 7.9%, which is slightly higher than the state result of 7.6% but remains lower than the 10% national average. These figures reflect measured data points in the region. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Nicholas 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.

Summersville Regional Medical Center

ER
2/5
(304) 872-2891
400 Fairview Heights Road, Summersville, WV 26651
Critical Access HospitalsVoluntary non-profit - Private

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 Nicholas County, WV?
Nicholas County has a health score of 34/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #31 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 Nicholas County?
Life expectancy in Nicholas County is 71.7 years. The West Virginia state average is 72.2 years, making Nicholas County below the state average.
How does Nicholas County health compare to the West Virginia average?
Nicholas County's health score of 34/100 is below the West Virginia average of 37/100. Life expectancy is 71.7 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9% vs. 7.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Nicholas County?
Key health factors for Nicholas County include: life expectancy (71.7 years), uninsured rate (7.9%), and primary care physician access (86:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 141:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Nicholas County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 34/100 ("Below Average"), Nicholas County faces health challenges compared to other counties in West Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 71.7 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 Nicholas County?
Nicholas County's health score of 34/100 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.