The numbers behind Medicare in Clarke County
| Clarke County | Virginia | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,653 | 1,498,879 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 23.6% | 17.2% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,193 | 1,764,998 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 1,254 | 698,851 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 29.9% | 39.6% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
With roughly 3,653 residents age 65 and older, Clarke County is 92nd among 133 Virginia counties for older residents. That group is 23.6% of its population, compared with 17.2% across Virginia. Another 1,248 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Among residents 65 and older, 58% are 65 to 74, 31% are 75 to 84 and 11% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). Medicare Advantage enrollment in Clarke County is 29.9% of people with Medicare, lower than the Virginia average of 39.6%. A county average does not tell you which kind of plan fits you. Whether Medicare Advantage or Original Medicare with a Medigap plan is the better fit depends on your doctors, your prescriptions and how you want to handle costs, so we compare both for your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Clarke County
The U.S. Department of Agriculture classifies Clarke County as a metro county (counties in metro areas of 1 million population or more). Counties like this tend to have a wider choice of hospitals and Medicare plans than rural ones, though networks still differ plan by plan.
CMS counts 4,112 Medicare beneficiaries in Clarke County (2023). Their average age is 74, about the same as the Virginia average of 74. About 7% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 9%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Clarke County, CMS reported about 494 emergency room visits and 201 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (589) and close to it for hospital stays (206). About 8% 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Clarke County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Clarke County; we help Clarke County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Clarke County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Clarke County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Where people live in Clarke County
People in Clarke County live in communities such as Berryville (4,782), Boyce (786) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Clarke County, that means areas such as 20130, 20135, 22611, 22620, 22646, 22663, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Clarke 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.
- Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace, Virginia’s own health insurance exchange, if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Virginia Bureau of Insurance: Virginia’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Clarke County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Clarke 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.
Let’s check your Clarke County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Do you really need a Medicare agent?
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
Clarke County compared with similar Virginia counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Giles County | 3,654 | 42.7% | 11% | Metro |
| Appomattox County | 3,613 | 42.2% | 10% | Metro |
| City of Hopewell | 3,596 | 54.6% | 13% | Metro |
| City of Fairfax | 3,586 | 40.1% | 11% | Metro |
| City of Bristol | 3,797 | 62.6% | 16% | Metro |
| City of Fredericksburg | 3,400 | 36.3% | 13% | Metro |
See every Virginia county in our Virginia directory or go to our Virginia Medicare hub.