Portsmouth Village · Photo: National Park Service · Public domainWhere Ocracoke residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Ocracoke, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Ocracoke. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Ocracoke
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Ocracoke
1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.6%), about twice the North Carolina rate. 1 in 9 adults have heart disease (11%), vs 6.6% across North Carolina. Stroke is also above the state: 5.6%, vs 3.6% across North Carolina. In all, Ocracoke runs above North Carolina on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Ocracoke
52.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.6% across North Carolina. Among those 65 and older, 32.6% have lost all their teeth (North Carolina 13.9%). Ocracoke’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care. Checkups ↓
The nearest ER is 49 miles from Ocracoke
The closest emergency room is Carteret General Hospital in Morehead City, 49.2 miles away in a straight line. For everyday care, Ocracoke Health Center is closer (2.9 mi) and charges on a sliding scale. Getting care ↓
More high blood pressure in Ocracoke, and more people treating it
47.1% of adults have high blood pressure (North Carolina 36.8%), but 82% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.7% statewide. Checkups ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the North Carolina figure falls outside Ocracoke’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Ocracoke adults…
Ocracoke runs above NC on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Ocracoke adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks North Carolina.
Care in and near Ocracoke
1 community health center in Ocracoke, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Ocracoke; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with North Carolina
Share of adults, with the North Carolina figure marked.
16 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Ocracoke adults are doing
About the same as North Carolina on each measure.
3 in 10 Ocracoke adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
18.9% of Ocracoke adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 12.3% across North Carolina.
Ocracoke and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Ocracoke adults live with a disability (North Carolina 32%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Ocracoke
Why doesn’t Ocracoke have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Ocracoke.
Where can I get low-cost care near Ocracoke?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Ocracoke Health Center in Ocracoke, 2.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Ocracoke.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The North Carolina figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.