Cherokee County Medicare at a glance
| Cherokee County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 9,629 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 32.1% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 11,118 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 5,826 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 52.4% | 57.9% statewide |
Data: U.S. Census Bureau (2023 population estimates); CMS, September 2026. Medicare Advantage share is enrollees divided by people with Medicare.
Cherokee County ranks 61st of 100 North Carolina counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 9,629 people in that age group, or 32.1% of residents (statewide: 17.6%). The 2,702 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 59% are 65 to 74, 32% are 75 to 84 and 9% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 52.4% of people with Medicare in Cherokee County are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. That is lower than the North Carolina average of 57.9%. What most people do in a county is less important than what fits you. We weigh Medicare Advantage against Original Medicare with Medigap using your doctors, your drugs and your budget.
Who has Medicare in Cherokee County
The USDA classifies Cherokee County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 10,955 Medicare beneficiaries in Cherokee County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 14% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, close to the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Cherokee County, CMS reported about 568 emergency room visits and 177 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is close to the state average for emergency visits (572) and lower than it for hospital stays (210). About 5% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Insurers choose which counties to serve each year, which means the Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can pick in Cherokee County can be different from the ones offered next door. We are not based in Cherokee County; we help Cherokee County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Cherokee County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Cherokee County:
- Erlanger Murphy Medical Center — Murphy (critical access; nonprofit; emergency services; CMS overall rating 4 of 5)
A hospital being in the county does not mean every plan covers it. Medicare Advantage networks differ by plan, so we check the hospitals and doctors you actually use before you enroll. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Cherokee County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Cherokee County by 2023 Census population estimates are Andrews (1,737), Murphy (1,657). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
ZIP codes that fall mostly inside Cherokee County include 28901, 28905, 28906. Plan availability can change by ZIP code, so have yours ready when we compare plans.
Questions about Medicare in Cherokee County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Cherokee County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Cherokee County residents we can compare ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans and ACA health insurance.
Get a clear answer for Cherokee County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare 101 for families
- Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap: how to choose
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Cherokee County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duplin County | 9,998 | 56.3% | 18% | Rural |
| Ashe County | 7,581 | 50.1% | 15% | Rural |
| Bladen County | 7,114 | 65.2% | 18% | Rural |
| Polk County | 6,596 | 42.1% | 8% | Rural |
| Montgomery County | 5,934 | 68.7% | 18% | Rural |
| Caswell County | 5,356 | 65.1% | 22% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.