Pocahontas County Health Data

Pocahontas County, West Virginia

CDC County Health Rankings

Health Score

24/100

Below Avg

Life Expectancy

72.2 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.9%

Health Statistics

Life Expectancy

72.2 yr

State avg 72.2 yr

National avg 77.5 yr

Uninsured Rate

9.9%

State avg 7.6%

National avg 9%

Primary Care Providers

51

per 100K population

National avg 82

Mental Health Providers

64

per 100K population

National avg 350

Poor / Fair Health

28.1%

State avg 24.7%

National avg 19.6%

Healthcare Access

Primary Care Physicians

114.6

per 100K residentsCDC: 51.0 per 100K

Dentists

25.5

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 Pocahontas County differs most from state and national norms.

Most prevalent chronic conditions

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Obesity40.6%41.3%37.6%0.7 pts better than state
Diabetes13.7%13.2%11.2%near state average
High Blood Pressure39.8%39.0%33.5%0.8 pts worse than state
Depression32.2%32.4%24.1%near state average

Health-risk behaviors

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Current Cigarette Smoking23.2%21.4%16.3%1.8 pts worse than state
Binge Drinking15.7%16.0%17.8%near state average
Physical Inactivity34.5%32.6%27.0%1.9 pts worse than state

Preventive-care uptake

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Annual Routine Checkup76.6%77.9%74.9%1.3 pts worse than state
Dental Visit (past year)46.2%52.1%57.3%5.9 pts worse than state
Mammography (women 50–74)72.4%74.4%73.3%2.0 pts worse than state

Daily-life impact

MeasurePocahontasState avgNational avgVs state
Frequent Mental Distress24.0%23.4%18.6%0.6 pts worse than state
Short Sleep Duration42.7%43.0%37.3%near state average

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

Pocahontas County reports 28.1 percent in poor or fair health

Health data brief for Pocahontas County, West Virginia.

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

In Pocahontas County, 28.1% of residents report being in poor or fair health, a figure that is higher than both the West Virginia state average and the national mark of 17%. The life expectancy in the county is 72.2 years, matching the state result exactly but trailing the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 9.9%, which is higher than the state figure of 7.6% and nearly equal to the national figure of 10%. Regarding medical providers, there are 51 primary care providers and 64 mental health providers for every 100,000 residents. These numbers are lower than the national medians of 70 primary care providers and 250 mental health providers. These metrics are compiled from federal datasets. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.

Get Care in Pocahontas 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.

Pocahontas Memorial Hospital

ER
Not rated by CMS
(304) 799-7400
150 Duncan Road, Buckeye, WV 24924
Critical Access 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 Pocahontas County, WV?
Pocahontas County has a health score of 24/100, rated "Below Average." It ranks #51 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 Pocahontas County?
Life expectancy in Pocahontas County is 72.2 years. The West Virginia state average is 72.2 years, making Pocahontas County above the state average.
How does Pocahontas County health compare to the West Virginia average?
Pocahontas County's health score of 24/100 is below the West Virginia average of 37/100. Life expectancy is 72.2 years vs. the state average of 72.2 years. The uninsured rate is 9.9% vs. 7.6% statewide.
What health factors affect Pocahontas County?
Key health factors for Pocahontas County include: life expectancy (72.2 years), uninsured rate (9.9%), and primary care physician access (51:1 (population to primary care physicians)). Mental health provider access is 64:1 population-to-provider ratio. These metrics are sourced from the CDC County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program.
Is Pocahontas County a healthy place to live?
With a health score of 24/100 ("Below Average"), Pocahontas County faces health challenges compared to other counties in West Virginia. Residents have a life expectancy of 72.2 years. 9.9% 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 Pocahontas County?
Pocahontas County's health score of 24/100 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.