Health in North Carolina, United States: official figures
Life expectancy at birth in North Carolina was 75.9 years in 2022, 15th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
How long do men and women live in North Carolina?
Women in North Carolina could expect to live 78.7 years and men 73.0 years at 2022 death rates, a gap of 5.7 years (U.S.: 80.2 for women, 74.8 for men).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyIs life expectancy in North Carolina going up?
Life expectancy in North Carolina was 74.9 years in 2021, so the 2022 figure is up 1.0 years; nationally it rose from 76.4 to 77.5 years.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in North Carolina?
A 65-year-old in North Carolina could expect to live another 18.1 years in 2022 (19.3 for women, 16.8 for men); 16th shortest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 18.9).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in North Carolina?
767 babies died before their first birthday in North Carolina in 2024, an infant mortality rate of 6.24 per 1,000 live births; 18th highest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 6.78 (805 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of drug overdoses in North Carolina?
2,780 people died of drug overdoses in North Carolina in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 25.7 per 100,000 people; joint 20th highest among the 50 states and DC. The rate was 33.7 in 2023 (3,520 deaths) and 22.3 in 2019.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyAre overdose deaths falling in North Carolina?
CDC provisional data count about 2,139 drug overdose deaths in North Carolina in the 12 months to May 2026, down 19.5% on the 12 months to May 2025 (2,657); nationally the count went from 75,094 to 66,478. These counts are predicted values that allow for deaths still being investigated.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many overdose deaths in North Carolina involve fentanyl?
Synthetic opioids other than methadone, mainly fentanyl, were involved in 1,218 of the 2,025 reported overdose deaths in North Carolina in the 12 months to May 2026 (60%), and psychostimulants such as methamphetamine in 613 (30%). A death can involve more than one drug.
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in North Carolina?
Heart disease killed 21,126 people in North Carolina in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 155.5 per 100,000; joint 25th lowest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 154.7).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the cancer death rate in North Carolina?
Cancer caused 21,236 deaths in North Carolina in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 148.8 per 100,000; 19th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 152.0).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in North Carolina?
1,620 people in North Carolina died by suicide in 2024, an age-adjusted rate of 14.1 per 100,000; joint 18th lowest among the 50 states and DC. In 2019 the rate was 12.5 (1,358 deaths).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many gun deaths are there in North Carolina?
Firearms were involved in 1,835 deaths in North Carolina in 2024, including suicides, homicides and accidents: an age-adjusted rate of 16.3 per 100,000, 20th highest among the 50 states and DC (2019: 13.1).
Source: National Center for Health Statistics (CDC) · saved copyHow many people in North Carolina have no health insurance?
8.6% of people in North Carolina, about 928,000, had no health insurance in 2024; 16th highest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 8.2%). That is down 0.6 percentage points on 2023 (9.2%), according to the American Community Survey.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many children in North Carolina are uninsured?
5.5% of children under 19 in North Carolina were uninsured in 2024, against 12.1% of adults aged 19 to 64 (U.S.: 6.0% and 11.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people in North Carolina are on Medicaid?
14.2% of residents of North Carolina were covered only by Medicaid or another means-tested public plan in 2024, and 42.6% only by employer-based insurance (U.S.: 14.5% and 45.3%).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau · saved copyHow many people are on Medicaid in North Carolina?
2,811,382 people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP in North Carolina in June 2026 (preliminary state data reported to CMS), down 2.5% on June 2025 (2,883,870); across the 50 states and DC the total was 73.17 million.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow much has Medicaid enrollment in North Carolina changed since the pandemic?
In March 2023, the last month before states resumed removing people who no longer qualified after the pandemic, North Carolina had 2,437,862 Medicaid and CHIP enrollees, so enrollment has risen 15.3% since then (50 states and DC: down 22.5%).
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyHow many children are on Medicaid in North Carolina?
Children made up 1,358,101 of the Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in North Carolina in June 2026 (48%), and adults enrolled in Medicaid numbered 1,453,281. North Carolina has expanded Medicaid to low-income adults under the Affordable Care Act.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · saved copyWhat is the obesity rate in North Carolina?
34.5% of adults in North Carolina had obesity (a body mass index of 30 or more) in the 2024 CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey; 23rd highest among the 49 states and DC with data. In 2015 the figure was 30.1%; the median across the states and DC was 34.2% in 2024.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people smoke in North Carolina?
11.5% of adults in North Carolina smoked cigarettes in 2024 (25th lowest among the 49 states and DC with data; state median 11.6%), down from 19.0% in 2015. 7.3% used e-cigarettes.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people have diabetes in North Carolina?
13.2% of adults in North Carolina had been told by a doctor they have diabetes, and 17.6% described their health as fair or poor, in 2024; the diabetes share is 15th highest among the 49 states and DC with data (state medians: 12.0% and 18.6%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow many people in North Carolina cannot afford to see a doctor?
In 2024, 20.2% of adults in North Carolina said they had done no physical activity or exercise outside work in the past month, and 11.3% said that in the past year they had needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost (state medians: 21.8% and 11.5%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow common is depression in North Carolina?
13.3% of adults in North Carolina reported binge drinking in 2024, and 22.5% had ever been told they have a depressive disorder (state medians: 15.5% and 22.0%).
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · saved copyHow North Carolina compares with other states
Life expectancy at birth (2022)
North Carolina ranks 37 of 51, highest first. NCHS state life tables
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at birth |
|---|---|---|
| 34 | Delaware | 76.5 years |
| 35 | Nevada | 76.4 years |
| 36 | Georgia | 75.9 years |
| 37 | North Carolina | 75.9 years |
| 38 | Alaska | 75.8 years |
| 39 | Ohio | 75.6 years |
| 40 | Indiana | 75.4 years |
Life expectancy at age 65 (2022)
North Carolina ranks 36 of 51, highest first. Further years of life expected at 65
| Rank | Region | Life expectancy at age 65 |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Wyoming | 18.5 years |
| 34 | Michigan | 18.4 years |
| 35 | Texas | 18.3 years |
| 36 | North Carolina | 18.1 years |
| 37 | Kansas | 18.1 years |
| 38 | South Carolina | 18.0 years |
| 39 | Georgia | 17.9 years |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
North Carolina ranks 18 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Georgia | 6.40 |
| 16 | Michigan | 6.33 |
| 17 | Indiana | 6.33 |
| 18 | North Carolina | 6.24 |
| 19 | Montana | 6.18 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | 6.04 |
| 21 | Virginia | 5.95 |
Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 20 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Ohio | 27.2 |
| 18 | Maryland | 26.9 |
| 19 | Connecticut | 26.2 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 25.7 |
| 21 | Indiana | 25.7 |
| 22 | Colorado | 25.7 |
| 23 | Pennsylvania | 25.6 |
Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) (2025-2026)
North Carolina ranks 9 of 51, highest first. Predicted provisional counts
| Rank | Region | Drug overdose deaths, 12 months to May 2026 (provisional) |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 2,620 |
| 7 | Washington | 2,528 |
| 8 | Ohio | 2,319 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 2,139 |
| 10 | Tennessee | 1,967 |
| 11 | Illinois | 1,915 |
| 12 | Colorado | 1,847 |
Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 27 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Heart disease deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Vermont | 157.6 |
| 25 | Maine | 156.4 |
| 26 | Wyoming | 156.2 |
| 27 | North Carolina | 155.5 |
| 28 | New Mexico | 155.5 |
| 29 | District of Columbia | 154.6 |
| 30 | Illinois | 153.2 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 19 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Iowa | 149.4 |
| 17 | Maine | 149.2 |
| 18 | Alaska | 149.1 |
| 19 | North Carolina | 148.8 |
| 20 | Pennsylvania | 145.7 |
| 21 | South Dakota | 145.5 |
| 22 | Georgia | 144.7 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 34 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 31 | Washington | 14.5 |
| 32 | Georgia | 14.3 |
| 33 | Texas | 14.2 |
| 34 | North Carolina | 14.1 |
| 35 | Louisiana | 14.1 |
| 36 | Florida | 13.9 |
| 37 | Michigan | 13.7 |
Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 20 of 51, highest first. NCHS Stats of the States
| Rank | Region | Firearm deaths per 100,000 (age-adjusted) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Indiana | 17.2 |
| 18 | Nevada | 17.2 |
| 19 | Arizona | 16.9 |
| 20 | North Carolina | 16.3 |
| 21 | Idaho | 15.9 |
| 22 | Colorado | 15.3 |
| 23 | West Virginia | 15.3 |
People without health insurance (2024)
North Carolina ranks 16 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey, civilian noninstitutionalized population
| Rank | Region | People without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Idaho | 9.2% |
| 14 | South Carolina | 9.0% |
| 15 | Montana | 8.8% |
| 16 | North Carolina | 8.6% |
| 17 | Kansas | 8.5% |
| 18 | Utah | 8.3% |
| 19 | Alabama | 8.2% |
Children under 19 without health insurance (2024)
North Carolina ranks 25 of 51, highest first. American Community Survey
| Rank | Region | Children under 19 without health insurance |
|---|---|---|
| 22 | Mississippi | 5.8% |
| 23 | Delaware | 5.8% |
| 24 | Ohio | 5.6% |
| 25 | North Carolina | 5.5% |
| 26 | Pennsylvania | 5.4% |
| 27 | Nebraska | 5.3% |
| 28 | Virginia | 5.2% |
Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 (2026-06)
North Carolina ranks 7 of 51, highest first. CMS performance indicator data (preliminary)
| Rank | Region | Medicaid and CHIP enrollment, June 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Florida | 3,565,369 |
| 5 | Pennsylvania | 2,952,912 |
| 6 | Illinois | 2,932,625 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 2,811,382 |
| 8 | Ohio | 2,597,852 |
| 9 | Michigan | 2,130,181 |
| 10 | Georgia | 1,817,766 |
Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 (2023-03 to 2026-06)
North Carolina ranks 1 of 51, highest first. March 2023 was the last month of pandemic continuous enrollment
| Rank | Region | Change in Medicaid and CHIP enrollment since March 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Carolina | +15.3% |
| 2 | South Dakota | -5.9% |
| 3 | Oregon | -9.9% |
| 4 | Connecticut | -12.2% |
| 5 | Maine | -12.5% |
| 6 | New York | -15.1% |
| 7 | Hawaii | -15.8% |
Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) (2024)
North Carolina ranks 23 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence; Tennessee did not report for 2024
| Rank | Region | Adults with obesity (BMI 30 or more) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | Missouri | 34.6% |
| 21 | South Carolina | 34.6% |
| 22 | New Mexico | 34.5% |
| 23 | North Carolina | 34.5% |
| 24 | Nevada | 34.2% |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 34.2% |
| 26 | Illinois | 34.2% |
Adults who currently smoke cigarettes (2024)
North Carolina ranks 26 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults who currently smoke cigarettes |
|---|---|---|
| 23 | Wisconsin | 11.9% |
| 24 | Nevada | 11.9% |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | 11.7% |
| 26 | North Carolina | 11.5% |
| 27 | Georgia | 11.2% |
| 28 | Virginia | 11.1% |
| 29 | Florida | 10.6% |
Adults ever told they have diabetes (2024)
North Carolina ranks 15 of 50, highest first. BRFSS 2024, crude prevalence
| Rank | Region | Adults ever told they have diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 13.3% |
| 13 | Delaware | 13.2% |
| 14 | Oklahoma | 13.2% |
| 15 | North Carolina | 13.2% |
| 16 | Ohio | 13.1% |
| 17 | Virginia | 12.9% |
| 18 | Georgia | 12.8% |
More on North Carolina: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · the United States
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau: American Community Survey 2024 1-year estimates, table-based summary file: Types of health insurance coverage by age (B27010), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 737090000f71…)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Prevalence Data, 2011 to present: selected questions, 2015 and 2023-2025, all adults, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7ab093888a27…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Cancer mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 16647d000278…)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: State Medicaid and CHIP Applications, Eligibility Determinations, and Enrollment Data (Performance Indicator data, September 2026 release), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6fc730af4f67…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Firearm mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 93f4daddcb09…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Heart disease mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 53ffcd80b442…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Infant mortality rates by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c8e6ba1c198b…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): U.S. State Life Tables, 2022 (National Vital Statistics Reports Vol. 74, No. 12), Tables A, B and C, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c1373546ce89…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Drug overdose mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 1990aeae39f4…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): Stats of the States: Suicide mortality by state (National Vital Statistics System via CDC WONDER), map data file, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 5df6571a02ff…)
- National Center for Health Statistics (CDC): VSRR Provisional Drug Overdose Death Counts (12-month ending periods, May and December 2019-2026, selected indicators), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 68a227998fc5…)
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