Buncombe County

North CarolinaFIPS 37021

Pop. 269,4524 HospitalsSVI 0.60RUCC 2 (Metro)PC HPSADental HPSAMH HPSA

Health Snapshot

MetricBuncombe CountyState Avg 
Diabetes Prevalence8.0%11.2%
Adult Obesity26.2%35.7%
Uninsured Rate13.1%12.5%
PCPs per 10K14.15.2
Premature Death (YPLL)8,557.006

Source: County Health Rankings (2025)

Workforce Supply

407
Primary Care Physicians
147.5 per 100k
982
NPs & PAs
355.9 per 100k
231
Dentists
1,145
Hospital Beds
4.2 per 1,000
$9,903.78
Medicare Per Capita
1474.0%
Readmission Rate

Source: Area Health Resources File (AHRF) 2024-2025

CDC PLACES Health Indicators

IndicatorBuncombe CountyState Avg 
Diabetes11.0%
Obesity31.5%
Depression25.0%
Frequent Mental Distress15.6%
COPD7.2%
Current Smoking12.8%
Heart Disease6.7%
Stroke3.5%
High Blood Pressure36.1%
Poor General Health17.2%
Disability30.9%
No Leisure Physical Activity20.6%
Binge Drinking15.3%
Uninsured9.1%

Source: CDC PLACES 2023-2024. Values are age-adjusted prevalence (%).

Social Vulnerability Index

Overall0.60
Socioeconomic Status0.51
Household Composition & Disability0.37
Minority Status & Language0.48
Housing Type & Transportation0.84

Source: CDC/ATSDR SVI 2022. Score 0-1; higher = more vulnerable.

Health Professional Shortage Areas

!
Primary Care
Designated Shortage Area
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Dental Health
Designated Shortage Area
!
Mental Health
Designated Shortage Area

Source: HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce

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Data from CMS Provider of Services, County Health Rankings, CDC Social Vulnerability Index, HRSA Bureau of Health Workforce, AHRF 2024-2025, CDC PLACES 2023-2024, and UNC Sheps Center. Last updated: 2026-03-11.