We are proud to salute neighboring Henderson County for its recently publicized ranking as the healthiest county in Western North Carolina and one of the healthiest counties in the state, based on the 2020 County Health Rankings report from the Robert Wood Foundation.

Henderson County received one of its highest-ever combined rankings in the report, which evaluates both health factors and outcomes in all 100 counties, a press release from the Henderson County Department of Public Health stated.

“In overall health outcomes, Henderson County’s rank improved from No. 13 in 2019 to No. 8 in 2020,” the press release reported on March 10. “For overall health factors, the county advanced from the number 5 slot to 3.”

Ranking as the healthiest county in the state was Wake, followed by Orange, Union, Camden, Dare, Mecklenburg and Currituck.

In WNC, Polk County was ranked No 13, Buncombe County was listed at No. 16 and Transylvania County, No. 24.

Several Henderson officials, who expressed their joy over the rankings, gave much of the credit to the county’s Parnership for Health, a coalition of community organizations backing joint efforts to address health priorities. 

Way to go, Henderson County, with your smashing health ranking!