Medicare in Pamlico County by the numbers
| Pamlico County | North Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 3,999 | 1,908,489 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 32.2% | 17.6% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,788 | 2,336,840 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,054 | 1,353,169 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 42.9% | 57.9% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Pamlico County ranks 87th of 100 North Carolina counties by number of residents age 65 and older, with about 3,999 people in that age group, or 32.2% of residents (statewide: 17.6%). The 1,228 residents now between 60 and 64 will become Medicare-eligible soon, and our turning 65 guide walks through it. Among residents 65 and older, 57% are 65 to 74, 32% are 75 to 84 and 11% are 85 or older (Census 2023 estimates). About 42.9% of people with Medicare in Pamlico 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 Pamlico County
Pamlico County is a rural county; the U.S. Department of Agriculture describes it as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, not adjacent to a metro area. Rural counties tend to have fewer local hospitals and doctors, so a plan’s network and the distance to care matter a great deal.
CMS counts 4,575 Medicare beneficiaries in Pamlico 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 Pamlico County, CMS reported about 439 emergency room visits and 157 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 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.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Pamlico County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Pamlico County; we help Pamlico County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Pamlico County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Pamlico 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.
Pamlico County: communities and ZIP codes
The largest communities in Pamlico County by 2023 Census population estimates are Bayboro (1,026), Oriental (897), Alliance (751), Grantsboro (712), Minnesott Beach (539), Arapahoe (427). Each figure counts only the people living inside the county.
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Pamlico County, that means areas such as 28509, 28510, 28515, 28529, 28537, 28552, 28556, 28571, 28587, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Pamlico 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.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- Medicare.gov: Medigap on how Medicare Supplement works.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- North Carolina Department of Insurance: North Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Pamlico County residents
We work with many carriers, which lets us compare more than one option for Pamlico County households, including ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) and Part D drug plans.
Let’s check your Pamlico County options together
We confirm your doctors and prescriptions before you enroll, at no cost to you.
Get my plan comparisonRead next
- What happens if you do nothing during open enrollment?
- Can I change my Medicare plan after December 7?
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medigap Plan G vs. Plan N
Pamlico County compared with similar North Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clay County | 4,050 | 44.8% | 12% | Rural |
| Perquimans County | 3,841 | 44.0% | 12% | Rural |
| Mitchell County | 3,835 | 56.3% | 17% | Rural |
| Avery County | 4,248 | 55.3% | 15% | Rural |
| Chowan County | 3,699 | 44.4% | 13% | Rural |
| Greene County | 3,673 | 61.9% | 20% | Rural |
See every North Carolina county in our North Carolina directory or go to our North Carolina Medicare hub.