CDC PLACES County-Level Data
COPD Prevalence by State
The national average county-level COPD prevalence is 8.4% of adults. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and a major driver of hospital admissions and readmissions in rural areas. COPD rates correlate strongly with smoking prevalence, occupational exposures, and limited access to pulmonary care.
COPD Prevalence Map
Average county-level COPD prevalence by state. Darker colors indicate higher rates. Click a state to explore its full health profile.
% of counties with no hospital
All 50 States Ranked by COPD Prevalence
Sorted by highest average county-level COPD rate. Click any column header to re-sort. Click a state name to see its full profile.
| # | State | Avg COPD % ▼ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West VirginiaWV | 12.1% |
| 2 | TennesseeTN | 11.1% |
| 3 | ArkansasAR | 10.7% |
| 4 | MissouriMO | 10.5% |
| 5 | LouisianaLA | 10.4% |
| 6 | MississippiMS | 10.2% |
| 7 | AlabamaAL | 10.0% |
| 8 | MichiganMI | 9.9% |
| 9 | OklahomaOK | 9.9% |
| 10 | IndianaIN | 9.5% |
| 11 | MaineME | 9.5% |
| 12 | OhioOH | 9.5% |
| 13 | South CarolinaSC | 9.4% |
| 14 | FloridaFL | 9.3% |
| 15 | NevadaNV | 9.3% |
| 16 | North CarolinaNC | 9.1% |
| 17 | GeorgiaGA | 9.0% |
| 18 | ArizonaAZ | 8.9% |
| 19 | IllinoisIL | 8.7% |
| 20 | MontanaMT | 8.7% |
| 21 | OregonOR | 8.6% |
| 22 | KansasKS | 8.4% |
| 23 | South DakotaSD | 8.3% |
| 24 | VirginiaVA | 8.3% |
| 25 | TexasTX | 8.2% |
| 26 | IowaIA | 8.1% |
| 27 | IdahoID | 8.1% |
| 28 | New MexicoNM | 8.0% |
| 29 | WyomingWY | 7.8% |
| 30 | North DakotaND | 7.7% |
| 31 | NebraskaNE | 7.7% |
| 32 | WisconsinWI | 7.7% |
| 33 | DelawareDE | 7.6% |
| 34 | AlaskaAK | 7.5% |
| 35 | New YorkNY | 7.5% |
| 36 | VermontVT | 7.3% |
| 37 | MarylandMD | 7.2% |
| 38 | ColoradoCO | 7.1% |
| 39 | New HampshireNH | 7.1% |
| 40 | WashingtonWA | 7.0% |
| 41 | MinnesotaMN | 6.8% |
| 42 | CaliforniaCA | 6.6% |
| 43 | HawaiiHI | 6.6% |
| 44 | MassachusettsMA | 6.5% |
| 45 | Rhode IslandRI | 6.5% |
| 46 | UtahUT | 6.4% |
| 47 | ConnecticutCT | 5.9% |
| 48 | New JerseyNJ | 5.6% |
| 49 | KentuckyKY | — |
| 50 | PennsylvaniaPA | — |
Source: CDC PLACES (county-level model-based estimates), AHRF (workforce), CMS Provider of Services (hospital data).
Why COPD Prevalence Matters for Rural Health
COPD affects more than 16 million Americans and is responsible for over 150,000 deaths annually. In rural communities, COPD prevalence is markedly higher than in urban areas — a pattern driven by higher smoking rates, occupational exposures in mining and agriculture, and limited access to pulmonary specialists and rehabilitation programs.
For state health agencies and rural hospital leaders, county-level COPD data is a critical indicator of respiratory disease burden. COPD is among the most common reasons for hospital admission and 30-day readmission in rural facilities, making it a major driver of both patient outcomes and hospital financial performance.
The RHT Compass platform integrates CDC PLACES COPD prevalence with smoking rates, hospital financial metrics, and workforce supply — helping decision-makers identify where respiratory disease burden is highest and where care delivery infrastructure needs strengthening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does the COPD prevalence data come from?
COPD prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES dataset, which provides model-based county-level estimates for chronic disease indicators. The data reflects diagnosed COPD among adults aged 18 and older. RHT Compass averages county-level rates to produce each state's score.
Why is COPD more common in rural areas?
Rural areas have consistently higher COPD prevalence due to higher smoking rates, occupational exposures in industries like coal mining and farming, lower access to pulmonary specialists, and limited availability of respiratory rehabilitation programs. Appalachian and Southern states show the highest concentrations.
How does COPD affect hospital readmission rates?
COPD is one of the top conditions targeted by CMS readmission reduction programs. Rural hospitals with high COPD patient populations face elevated 30-day readmission rates, which can trigger financial penalties under Medicare. Limited access to post-discharge follow-up care in rural areas compounds this challenge.
Can I see county-level COPD data for my state?
Yes. Every state profile page includes county-level CDC PLACES data, including COPD, smoking, diabetes, and other chronic disease indicators. Click any state in the table above to see its full breakdown.
Explore COPD & Health Access in Your State
Every state page includes county-level chronic disease data, hospital financials, and workforce metrics. Start with your state, or request a demo of the full analytics platform.
COPD and smoking prevalence from CDC PLACES (model-based county-level estimates). Workforce data from HRSA Area Health Resources File (AHRF). Hospital data from CMS Provider of Services. Last updated: 2026-02-15.