The numbers behind Medicare in Orange County
| Orange County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 25,228 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 16.7% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 28,077 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 14,598 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 52.0% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Orange County ranks 23rd of 100 North Carolina counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 25,228 people in that age group, or 16.7% of residents (statewide: 17.6%). About 8,607 more people are 60 to 64 and are heading toward Medicare; our turning 65 guide explains their first steps. Among residents 65 and older, 60% are 65 to 74, 30% are 75 to 84 and 10% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). CMS data show 52.0% of Orange County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is lower than the 57.9% average across North Carolina. 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 Orange County
Orange County sits in a metro area, which the USDA defines as counties in metro areas of 250,000 to 1 million population. That usually means more doctors, more hospitals and more plan choices in the area.
CMS counts 27,828 Medicare beneficiaries in Orange County (2023). Their average age is 73, about the same as the North Carolina average of 73. About 9% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, lower than the state figure of 13%.
Among people in Original Medicare in Orange County, CMS reported about 423 emergency room visits and 169 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is lower than the state average for emergency visits (572) and lower than it for hospital stays (210). About 7% 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.
Medicare Advantage and Part D plan availability and provider networks are set county by county, so the plans open to you in Orange County may differ from those in a neighboring county. We are not based in Orange County; we help Orange County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals located in Orange County
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) lists this hospital in Orange County:
- UNC Hospitals — Chapel Hill (acute care; government-owned; emergency services; CMS overall rating 5 of 5)
Being located in the county is not the same as being in your plan’s network. Each Medicare Advantage plan builds its own network, so we confirm that your hospital and your doctors are included before you choose. Ratings are CMS Care Compare overall hospital star ratings; they describe the hospital, not whether a plan covers it. Source: CMS Hospital General Information.
Orange County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Orange County by 2023 Census population estimates are Chapel Hill (59,191), Carrboro (21,103), Hillsborough (9,757), Mebane (4,399), Durham (143). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas mostly within Orange County number 7: 27231, 27243, 27278, 27510, 27514, 27516, 27599. Your exact ZIP code is what decides which plans you can join.
Questions about Medicare in Orange 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 Orange County residents
As an independent agency we are not tied to one insurer, so for Orange County residents we can compare Medicare Supplement (Medigap), Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities and Medicare Advantage.
Get a clear answer for Orange County
A short call is enough to compare your options. Our help is free to you.
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Orange County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Moore County | 25,839 | 50.6% | 7% | Metro |
| Pitt County | 26,398 | 56.8% | 17% | Metro |
| Rowan County | 27,394 | 65.5% | 13% | Metro |
| Randolph County | 27,575 | 72.5% | 17% | Metro |
| Onslow County | 22,467 | 45.0% | 12% | Metro |
| Chatham County | 21,174 | 49.6% | 6% | Metro |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.