Mountains

Region

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Health is largely determined by social, economic, behavioral, and environmental factors, all of which affect health outcomes. These factors, known as social determinants of health, can serve as a barometer for regional wellness and quality of life.

21 social determinants of health were selected, as part of the Healthy NC 2030 initiative, to be a public health focus for the state's next decade. This overview radar chart explores how the Mountains Region is doing in comparison to the rest of the state for all indicators. Indicators closer to the circle's center are more of a challenge in this region, while indicators closer to the edge of the circle are regional strengths.

Social & Economic Factors

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Mountains (2020): 35.4%, of the population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 27%, of the population

Percentage of individuals with household incomes at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

In 2021, to be below the 200% FPL threshold, an individual living alone would need to make $25,760 a year or less. A household of four would need to make $53,000 or less total.

Poverty in the Region

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Value
Geography

Highest rate of individuals below 200% FPL: 44.5%, Swain

Lowest rate of individuals below 200% FPL: 28.9%, Henderson

The map shows the percentage of individuals below 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2020, the percentage of individuals below 200% FPL in the Mountains Region was 35.4%. The county with the highest rate of individuals below 200% FPL was Swain (44.5%), while the county with the lowest was Henderson (28.9%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Poverty in the State

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Ranking
Value
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by percentage of individuals below the poverty threshold.

By default, the ranking is shown for the 200% FPL threshold, but it is possible to change to other poverty thresholds with the Poverty Level dropdown selector above.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the percentage of individuals below the FPL in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity from 2010 to 2020. By default, all races and ethnicities are shown. It is possible to hide a race or ethnicity by clicking it in the chart legend.

In 2020, the percent of individuals below 100% FPL in the Mountains Region was 35.4%. The population with the highest percentage of individuals below the FPL was Other (35.4%), while the population with the lowest was Asian (11.4%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Poverty by Sex and Age

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Variable

Highest Rate of Individuals Below 100% FPL 2020: 25.5%, Female, < 5 years

Lowest Rate of Individuals Below 100% FPL 2020: 6.69%, Male, 65 - 74 years

The graph shows the percentage of individuals below the FPL in the Mountains Region by age and sex.

In 2020, the group with the highest percentage of individuals below 100% FPL by age and sex were female, < 5 years (25.5%). The lowest percentage of individuals below 100% FPL by age and sex were male, 65 - 74 years (6.69%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of individuals living below the poverty threshold, as well as this metric's projection until 2030. By default, the trend is shown for the 200% FPL threshold, but it is possible to change to other poverty thresholds with the Poverty Level dropdown selector above.

In Avery County, 39.5% of the population was living below 200% FPL in 2020. Between 2012 and 2020, Avery County saw a 0.35% average annual increase in this indicator.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains (2020): 4.61%, of the population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 1.7, Disparity ratio between white and other populations

Percentage of individuals aged 16 and older who are in the labor force, but unemployed.

Individuals must be seeking work to be considered unemployed.

Unemployment in the Region

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Value
Geography

Highest Unemployment Rate 2020: 7.4%, Yancey

Lowest Unemployment Rate 2020: 3%, Henderson

The map shows the unemployment rate in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2020, the unemployment rate in the Mountains Region was 4.61%. The county with the highest unemployment rate was Yancey (7.4%), while the county with the lowest unemployment rate was Henderson (3%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Unemployment in the State

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Ranking
Value
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the unemployment rate.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Unemployment by Race and Ethnicity or Age

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Variable

Highest unemployment rate by race: 9.27%, American Indian or Alaskan Native

Lowest unemployment rate by race: 3.57%, Asian

The graph shows the unemployment rate in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity, or age.

In 2020, the population with the highest unemployment rate by race and ethnicity in the Mountains Region was: American Indian or Alaskan Native (9.27%), Black (9.22%), and 2+ races (7.96%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Unemployment by Sex

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The graph shows the unemployment rate in the Mountains Region by sex from 2010 to 2020, for the population between 20 and 64 years of age.

In 2020, female unemployment rate was 3.91%, while the male unemployment rate was 4.37%.

From 2010 to 2020, the female unemployment rate decreased 2.71% (from 6.62% to 3.91%), while the male unemployment rate decreased 4.03% (from 8.4% to 4.37%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Unemployment Trend

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Gender

The graph shows the trend of the unemployment rate, as well as this metric's projection until 2030. It is possible to change the county and sex with the selectors above.

The graph shows the trend of the unemployment rate in the county, as well as this metric's projection and target until 2030. By default, the trend is shown for all the population, but it is possible to change the sex with the selector above.

In Avery County the unemployment rate reached 5.7% in 2020. Between 2010 and 2020, Avery County saw a 0.26% average annual decrease in this indicator.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains (2019): 0.46, suspensions per 10 students

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 0.8, suspensions per 10 students

Number of out-of-school short-term suspensions in educational facilities for all grades per 10 students.

A short-term suspension is 10 days or less. Data reflect total numbers of short-term suspensions that may include multiple suspensions per student.

Short-Term Suspension

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Short-term Suspension by County

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Value

Highest Short-term Suspension per 10 Students: 0.68, Burke (2019)

Lowest Short-term Suspension per 10 Students: 0.12, Clay (2019)

The map shows the short-term suspension rate per 10 students in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2019, the short-term suspension rate in the Mountains Region was 0.46 per 10 students. The county with the highest short-term suspension rate was Burke (0.68), while the county with the lowest short-term suspension rate was Clay (0.12).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Short-term Suspension in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the short-term suspension rate per 10 students or the average yearly change.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Short-term Suspension by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the short-term suspension rate per 10 students in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity from 2014 to 2019.

In 2019, the population with the highest short-term suspension rate was African American (2.75), while the population with the lowest short-term suspension rate was Asian (0.29).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains (2020): 134, per 100,000 population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 150, per 100,000 population

Incarceration in prisons per 100,000 population.

Incarcerated individuals are tallied in the county they resided in when they were first incarcerated, not where they are currently incarcerated.

Incarceration by County

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Value

Highest incarceration rate per 100,000 population: 229, Yancey (2020)

Lowest  incarceration rate per 100,000 population: 53.8, Clay (2020)

The map shows the incarceration rate per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2020, the incarceration rate in the Mountains Region was 134 per 100,000 population. The county with the highest incarceration rate was Yancey (229), while the county with the lowest incarceration rate was Clay (53.8).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Incarceration in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the incarceration rate per 100,000 population.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Incarceration by Race and Ethnicity, and Sex

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Gender

The graph shows the incarceration rate per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity, and sex.

In 2020, the population with the highest incarceration rate was Black (587), while the population with the lowest incarceration rate was White (114).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

North Carolina (2016-17): 23.6%, of children

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 18.0%, of the population

Percentage of children who have experienced two or more of the following: hard to get by on money, parent/guardian divorced or separated, parent/guardian died, parent/guardian served time in jail, saw or heard violence in the home, victim/witness of neighborhood violence, lived with anyone mentally ill, suicidal or depressed, live with anyone with alcohol or drug problem, often treated or judged unfairly due to race/ethnicity.

This indicator, chosen by the Healthy NC 2030 taskforce, is not available at a geographic level less than regional.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

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In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into ACEs and ACEs-adjacent indicators, Cape Fear Collective convened a team of experts in ACEs and trauma to select a proxy metric for this indicator: percentage of disconnected youth, individuals aged 16 to 19 who are neither in school nor working.

Disconnected Youth in the Region

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Value
Geography

Highest disconnected youth rate 2020: 19.3%, Rutherford

Lowest disconnected youth rate 2020: 1.86%, Mitchell

The map shows the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that is neither in school nor working in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2020, the percent of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working in the Mountains Region was 8.9%. The county with the highest percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working was Rutherford (19.3%), while the county with the lowest was Mitchell (1.86%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Disconnected Youth in the State

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Ranking
Value
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Disconnected Youth by Sex

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The graph shows the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working in the Mountains Region by sex from 2010 to 2020.

In 2020, the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working among females was 7.47%, and 10.3% among males.

From 2010 to 2020, the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that was neither in school nor working among females decresed 2.58% (from 10% to 7.47%) and among males it decresed 0.2% (from 10.5% to 10.3%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Disconnected Youth Trend

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Gender

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population ages 16 to 19 that is neither in school nor working as well as this metric's projection until 2030. It is possible to change to other counties and sex with the selector above.

In Avery County,  N/A of the population ages 16 to 19 was neither in school nor working in 2020, with an annual percentage change of 0.15%.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 80%, of the population

Percentage of children proficient or better at grade-level reading based on third grade End of Grade exams.

Proficiency defined as Level 3 or higher.

Third Grade Reading Proficiency

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Third Grade Reading Proficiency in the Region

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The graph shows the percentage of children who are proficient in reading at the end of the third grade in the Mountains Region by Local Education Agency (LEA) and achievement level in 2019.

Third Grade Reading by LEA Code

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Value
Ranking

The graph shows the ranking of Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in North Carolina by the percentage of children who are grade-level proficient in reading at the end of third grade.

By default, the ranking is shown for grade-level proficiency, but it is possible to change the ranking to other achievement levels with the upper selector.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Third Grade Reading Proficiency by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the percentage of children who were who were proficient in reading (grade level proficient) at the end of third grade in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

In 2019, the population with the highest percentage of children who were proficient in reading (grade level proficient) in Avery County Schools was White (54.2%), while the population with the lowest percentage was Hispanic (26.3%).

Third Grade Reading Proficiency by Sex and Achievement Level

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The graph shows the third grade reading proficiency in the Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in the Mountains Region by sex and achievement level.

In 2019, the highest percentage of children who were proficient in reading at the end of third grade in Avery County Schools were female, grade level proficient (59%). The lowest percentage of children who were proficient in reading at the end of third grade were male, level 5 (6%).

Physical Environment

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Mountains (2019): 79.7%, of the population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 92%, of the population

Percentage of the population living half a mile from a park in any area, one mile from a recreational center in a metropolitan area, or three miles from a recreational center in a rural area.

Exercise access is based on census tract proximity to public parklands or recreational facilities such as “gyms, community centers, dance studios, pools,” and other exercise facilities.

Access to Exercise Opportunities

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Access to Exercise Opportunities by County

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Value

Highest Access to Exercise Opportunities: 100%, Avery (2019)

Lowest Access to Exercise Opportunities: 56.9%, Rutherford (2019)

The map shows the percentage of people with access to exercise opportunities in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2019, the percent of the population that had access to exercise opportunities in the Mountains Region was 79.7%. The county with the highest access to exercise opportunities rate was Avery (100%), while the county with the lowest rate was Rutherford (56.9%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Access to Exercise Opportunities in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the population estimated as having access to exercise opportunities or the average yearly change.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 5%, of the population

Percentage of people who are low-income that are not in close proximity to a grocery store.

This indicator, chosen by the Healthy NC 2030 taskforce, is based on USDA-designated food deserts. For metropolitan communities, living close to a grocery store is defined as being less than a mile from a store; in rural areas, the threshold proximity is 10 miles from a grocery store according to the USDA.

Limited Access to Healthy Foods

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Because access to healthy food is a significant issue in the Cape Fear region, and because this indicator was only available at a county-level geography, Cape Fear Collective created a Food Hardship Index from a logistic regression model predicting USDA food desert status.

The Food Hardship Index indicates how close a neighborhood is to being a designated food desert, with 1 indicating very high levels of food hardship and 0 indicating very low.

Food Hardship Index in the Region

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Year
Value
Geography

Highest Food Hardship Index, 2020: 0.99, Caldwell Tract 314.03

Lowest Food Hardship Index, 2020: 0.03, Macon Tract 9705.02

The map shows the Food Hardship Index in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2020, the Food Hardship Index in Mountains was 0.29. The tract with the highest Food Hardship Index was Caldwell Tract 314.03 (0.99), while the tract with the lowest was Macon Tract 9705.02 (0.03).

Food Hardship Index in the State

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Year
Ranking

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the Food Hardship Index.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Mountains (2019): 13.3%, of the population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 14%, of the population

Percentage of households with at least 1 of four HUD-designated housing problems.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines severe housing problems as occupied household units that have at least one of the following issues: overcrowding (>1 occupant per room), high housing costs (monthly housing costs >= 50% of monthly income), or lack of adequate kitchen or plumbing facilities.

Severe Housing Problems

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HUD has not made post-2017 data publicly available, so CFC built a regression model to predict 2018 and 2019 severe housing problems based on the number of households with each individual HUD-designated housing problem.

Housing Problems in the Region

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Geography

Highest percentage of people with severe housing problems: 15.9%, Clay

Lowest percentage of people with severe housing problems: 8.75%, Graham

The map shows the percentage of people with severe housing problems in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2019, the percentage of people with severe housing problems in the Mountains Region was 13.3%. The county with the highest the percentage of people with severe housing problems was Clay (15.9%), while the county with the lowest was Graham (8.75%).

*The 2018 and 2019 values were built from a CFC model.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Housing Problems in the State

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Ranking
Value
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the rate of the prevalence of severe housing problems.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*The 2018 and 2019 values were built from a CFC model.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Housing Problems by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity from 2013 to 2017.

*The 2018 and 2019 values were built from a CFC model.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Housing Problems Trend

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The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems, as well as this metric's projection until 2030.

In Avery County, 12.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in 2019. Between 2013 and 2020, Avery County saw a 0.1% average annual decrease in this indicator.

*The 2018 and 2019 values were built from a CFC model.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Health Behaviors

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Mountains (2019): 29.9, per 100,000 people

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 18, per 100,000 people

Number of persons who die as a result of drug poisoning per 100,000 population.

Includes deaths of any intent from both medications and drugs.

Drug Overdose Deaths

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Drug Overdose Deaths in the Region

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Value

Highest drug overdose rate rate in 2012-2019: 31.3, Burke

Lowest drug overdose rate in 2012-2019: 16, Madison

The map shows the drug overdose death rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In the years of 2012-2019 the county with the highest drug overdose death average was Burke (31.3), while the county with the lowest drug overdose death average was Madison (16).

Drug Overdose Deaths in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the drug overdose death rate (average across years) per 100,000 population.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Drug Overdose Deaths by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the drug overdose death rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

Drug Overdose Deaths by Type

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The graph shows the overdose death rate (average across years) in Mountains Region by type of death and type of drug.

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 9.0% / 15.0%, youth / adult

Percent of youth and adults reporting current use of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipes, and/or hookah.

This HNC 2030 indicator's data is drawn from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, which provides data at the statewide level.

In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from the CDC PLACES project that measures the percent of the current population aged ≥18 years who report having smoked ≥100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke every day or some days.

Current Adult Smokers in the Region

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Year

Highest percentage of tobacco use in 2019: 25.1%, Swain

Lowest percentage of tobacco use in 2019: 16.1%, Polk

The map shows the percentage of current adult smokers in Mountains Region.

In 2019, the percent of adults who were current smokers in the Mountains Region was 19%. The county with the highest percentage of adults who were current smokers was Swain (25.1%), while the county with the lowest was Polk (16.1%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Current Adult Smokers in the State

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Year
Ranking
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the percentage of adults who were current smokers.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains (2019): 14.8%, of the population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 12%, of the population

Percent of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking.

Binge drinking is defined as having 5 or more drinks (men) or 4 or more drinks (women) on an occasion in the past 30 days.

Excessive Drinking

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Excessive Drinking in the Region

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Year
Geography

Highest percentage of excessive drinking in 2019: 16.3%, Jackson

Lowest percentage of excessive drinking in 2019: 12.6%, Cherokee

The map shows the percentage of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking in the Mountains Region.

In 2019, the percentage of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking in the Mountains Region was 14.5%. The county with the highest percentage of adults reporting binge or heavy drinking was Jackson (16.3%), while the county with the lowest was Cherokee (12.6%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Excessive Drinking in the State

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Year
Ranking
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina in terms of excessive drinking.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

STATE CURRENT (2021): 33.6%, OF YOUTHS

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 17%, of youths

Percent of youth and adults reporting consumption of one or more sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) per day.

This HNC 2030 indicator's data is drawn from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, which provides data at the statewide level.

Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Consumption

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In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from the CDC PLACES project that measures the percent of the current population aged ≥18 years who report having been diagnosed with diabetes in their lifetime, excluding pregnancy-related diabetes.

Diabetes in the Region

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Geography

Highest percentage of adults with diabetes in 2019: 15.1%, Cherokee

Lowest percentage of adults with diabetes in 2019: 10.7%, Buncombe

The map shows the percentage of adults with diabetes in the Mountains Region.

In 2019, the percentage of adults with diabetes in Mountains was 12.5%. The county with the highest percentage of adults with diabetes was Cherokee (15.1%), while the county with the lowest was Buncombe (10.7%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Diabetes in the State

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Geography
Ranking

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the percentage of adults with diabetes.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains 2020: 5.15, per 100,000 population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 6, per 100,000 population

Number of new HIV diagnoses per 100,000 population.

HIV Diagnosis by County

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Value

Highest HIV diagnosis rate in 2010-2020: 7.62, Buncombe

Lowest HIV diagnosis rate in 2010-2020: 6.14, Burke

The map shows the HIV diagnosis rate (average across years) in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In the years of 2010-2020, the county with the highest average HIV diagnosis rate was Buncombe (7.62 per 100,000 population), while the county with the lowest average HIV diagnosis rate was Burke (6.14 per 100,000 population).

HIV Diagnosis in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by HIV diagnosis rate (average across years).

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

HIV Diagnosis by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the HIV diagnosis rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 10, per 1,000 population

Number of births to girls aged 15-19 per 1,000 population.

This HNC 2030 indicator's data is drawn from NC Vital Statistics, which provides publicly-available data at the statewide level.

The HNC 2030 target is to reduce this indicator to 10 per 1,000 females aged 15-19.

In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from NC Live Birth Statistics that measures the number of births to girls under 18 per 1,000 population.

Teen Birth by County

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Value

Highest teen births rate in 2011-2019: 5.07, Swain

Lowest teen births rate in 2011-2019: 1.27, Clay

The map shows the teen birth rate (average across years) per 1,000 females under 18 in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

Between 2011-2019, the county with the highest average teen birth rate was Swain (5.07), while the county with the lowest was Clay (1.27).

Teen Birth in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the teen birth rate (average across years) per 1,000 females under 18 or the average annual change.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Teen Birth by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the teen birth rate (average across years) per 1,000 females under 18 in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

Mountains (2020): 12.3%, of the population

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 8%, Healthy NC Target (2030)

Population under age 65 without health insurance.

This HNC 2030 indicator's data is drawn from Small Area Health Insurance Estimates, which provides data at the statewide level.

In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from U.S. Census Bureau that measures the population without health insurance at all ages.

Uninsured in the Region

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Value
Geography

Highest uninsured rate: 22.3%, Swain

Lowest uninsured rate: 10.5%, Mitchell

The map shows the uninsured rate in Mountains Region and how it has changed over time.

In 2020, the uninsured rate in Mountains Region was 12.3%. The county with the highest uninsured rate was Swain (22.3%), while the county with the lowest uninsured rate was Mitchell (10.5%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Uninsured in the State

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Ranking
Value
Geography

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina in terms of uninsured rate.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Uninsured by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the uninsured rate in Mountains by race and ethnicity from 2012 to 2020.

In 2020, the population with the highest uninsured rate was Other (43.4%), while the population with the lowest uninsured rate was Hawaiian Native or Pacific Islander (4.79%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Uninsured Trend

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The visualization shows the trend of the uninsured rate, its projection until 2030 and the target value for the county and race selected with the upper buttons.

In Avery County, the uninsured rate for the all races (White, Black, Hispanic) population reached 14.7% in 2020. Between 2012 and 2020, Avery County saw a 0.61% average annual decrease in this indicator.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 1:1,500

Primary care workforce as a ratio of the number of full-time equivalent primary care clinicians to county population.

Includes physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives.

Provider location defined by primary practice location on licensure information.

Certified nurse midwife counts were not available for 2019.

Primary Care Workforce

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Primary Care Workforce in the Region

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Value

Highest primary care workforce rate 2019: 1 : 142, Buncombe

Lowest primary care workforce rate 2019: 1 : 1190, Madison

The map shows the ratio of primary care provider to total population in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2019, the ratio of primary care provider to total population in Mountains Region was 1 : 266. The county with the highest  ratio of primary care provider to total population in was Buncombe (1 : 142), while the county with the lowest was Madison (1 : 1190).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Primary Care Workforce in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the ratio of primary care provider to total population or the average annual change.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains (2019): 76.5%, of women

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 80%, of women

Percent of women who receive pregnancy-related health care services during the first trimester of a pregnancy.

First trimester is defined as the first 3 months of pregnancy.

Data is for live births only.

Early Prenatal Care

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Early Prenatal Care by County

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Value

Highest early prenatal care rate 2019: 83.9%, Yancey

Lowest early prenatal care rate 2019: 61.9%, Rutherford

The map shows the early prenatal care rate in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In 2019, the early prenatal care rate in the Mountains Region was 76.5%. The county with the highest early prenatal care rate was Yancey (83.9%), while the county with the lowest was Rutherford (61.9%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Early Prenatal Care in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the early prenatal care rate.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Early Prenatal Care by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the early prenatal care rate in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity from 2011 to 2019.

In 2019, the population with the highest early prenatal care rate was White (non-Hispanic) (78.6%), while the population with the lowest was African American (non-Hispanic) (67.9%).

*When the count of affected people is less than 10, the data is not displayed.

Mountains (2019): 19, per 100,000 people

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 11.1, per 100,000 people

Age-adjusted number of deaths attributable to self-harm per 100,000 population.

This HNC 2030 indicator's data is drawn from NC Vital Statistics, which provides publicly-available data at the statewide level.

In order to provide meaningful, localized insights into this indicator, we substituted data from NC Detailed Mortality Statistics that is not age-adjusted.

Suicide by County

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Value

Highest suicides rate in 2013-2019 per 100,000 population: 28.7, Polk

Lowest suicides rate in 2013-2019: 13.3, Clay

The map shows the suicide rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in Mountains Region and how it has changed over time.

Between 2013-2019, the county with the highest average suicide rate per 100,000 population was Polk (28.7), while the county with the lowest  was Clay (13.3).

Suicide in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the suicide rate (average across years) per 100,000 population.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Suicide by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the suicide rate (average across years) per 100,000 population in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

Suicide by Age

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The graph shows the suicide rate (average across years) in the Mountains by age, reported per 100,000 population.

Health Outcomes

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Mountains (2019): 7.69, per 1,000 births

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 6, per 1,000 births

Rate of infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

Deaths are counted if they occur within the first year of life.

Infant Mortality

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Infant Mortality by County

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Value

Highest infant mortality rate in 2011-2019 per 1,000 births: 14.8, Swain

Lowest infant mortality rate in 2011-2019 per 1,000 births: 6.26, Henderson

The map shows the infant mortality rate (average across years) per 1,000 births in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

In the years of 2011-2019, the county with the highest average infant mortality rate was Swain (14.8), while the county with the lowest was Henderson (6.26).

Infant Mortality in the State

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Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the infant mortality rate (average across years) per 1,000 births.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Infant Mortality by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the infant mortality rate (average across years) per 1,000 births in Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

Mountains (2020): 77, years

Healthy NC State Target (2030): 82, years

Average number of years of life remaining.

Tract-level data is life expectancy at birth for the period 2010-2015.

Life Expectancy

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Life Expectancy in the Region

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Geography
Value

Highest average life expectancy: 81, Transylvania

Lowest average life expectancy: 70.6, Swain

The map shows the average life expectancy in the Mountains Region as well as the average yearly change in this metric.

The highest average life expectancy was registered in Transylvania (81 years), while the lowest average life expectancy was registered in Swain (70.6 years).

Life Expectancy in the State

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Geography
Ranking
Value

The graph shows the ranking of counties in North Carolina by the average life expectancy or the average yearly change.

Using the Highest 25 and Lowest 25 buttons, it is possible to toggle between the 25 geographies with the highest and lowest values in the state.

Life Expectancy by Race and Ethnicity

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The graph shows the average life expectancy in the Mountains Region by race and ethnicity.

In 2020, the population with the highest average life expectancy in the Mountains Region was Hispanic (89.8), while the population with the lowest was Black (73.7).

* Data interpretation should consider the Hispanic Epidemiological Paradox.