Vision Statement

A healthy and educated community where individuals and families are supported and encouraged to reach their full potential in a safe and clean environment.

CHA Leadership

The Surry County Health and Nutrition Center and the Surry County Board of Health helped to provide leadership and guidance for the Community Health Assessment (CHA) process.

Partnerships/Collaborations

Hospital/Healthcare Systems: Northern Regional Hospital, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital

EMS: Surry County Emergency Services

County of Surry: Surry County Office of Substance Abuse, Surry County DSS, Surry County-NC Cooperative Extension, Surry County Media Department, and Surry County Economic Development

Behavioral Health Services: Insight Human Services, Partners Behavioral Health 

Law Enforcement: Surry County Sheriff's Department, Elkin Police Department, Dobson Police Department, Mt. Airy Police Department, and Pilot Mountain Police Department

Fire Departments: Surry County Fire Marshall Office, Mt. Airy Fire Department, and Elkin Fire Department

Pharmacies: Gates Pharmacy, Elk Pharmacy, and Bridge Street Pharmacy

Public School Systems: Surry County Schools, Elkin City Schools, and Mt. Airy City Schools

Private School System: Millennium Charter Academy

Educational Institution: Surry Community College

Businesses: Nester Hosiery

Local Organizations: Mt. Airy Chamber of Commerce, Easter Seals UCP, The Shepherd's House, and Jones Family Resource Center (YVEDDI)

Parks and Recreation Centers: Surry County Parks and Recreation, Mt. Airy Parks and Recreation, Elkin Parks and Recreation, Pilot Mountain Armfield Center, and Camp Raven Knob Boy Scouts

Regional/Contracted Services

No support was received from regional community health initiatives or privately contracted vendors for Surry County's 2022 Community Health Assessment.

Collaborative Process

Surry County's collaborative process is guided by a CHA Team. This team reviews the primary and secondary data to determine the top priority health concerns within the community. Once the health concerns are established, agencies will work together to implement initiatives that address those concerns. Over the next 4 years, much emphasis will be placed on programs and efforts to reach diverse populations regarding the identified health issues.

Key Findings

Surry County has approximately 71,359 residents, according to the 2020 census. Around 83.11% of the county's population is white, 11.91% are Latino, 3.49% are African American, 0.53% are Asian, 0.44% are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.02% identify as Other Pacific Islander. Approximately 89.66% of the total population speak English.

There is a growing population of older adults in Surry County, with over a fifth (approximately 21%) being 65 years of age or older. Over a third of Surry County citizens are in later adulthood, with approximately 35% being between the ages of 40-64. As the late adult/elderly population grows, we have to consider the potential for an increase in chronic health concerns. Around 50.92% of the population is female while 48.79% is male.

The median household income for Surry County is $51,950 and the county falls 16.5% below the poverty line. The unemployment rate in the county is at 2.9% which is 1.9% decrease from where we were in 2018, at the time of the last CHA. Only 77% of Surry County residents age 25 and older hold a high school diploma or higher. In most households, both parents are working, resulting in 62.2% of children between the ages of birth and 2 needing some kind of childcare.

Health Priorities

The top 3 health priorities in 2022 were identified as:

• Substance Use
• Mental Health
• Overweight/Obesity

Other health and safety concerns fell around Communicable Disease, Injury and Violence, and Cancer.

Next Steps

The Community Health Assessment will be shared with Community Stakeholders and Members. It can be found in the local libraries, Chamber of Commerce, on the Surry County Government website, and the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center's media outlets. As mentioned before, local agencies such as the Hospitals, EMS, local Health Department, and many others will work together to create a plan for addressing the identified health priorities.

The health priorities identified were also the top ones listed in the 2018 CHA. The community will continue working to implement existing and new efforts to help reduce the burden that these health issues have on our residents. Surry County is truly a wonderful place to live and our hope is to give all that reside here the best quality of life possible.

If you have questions about the CHA please contact the Surry County Health and Nutrition Center at 336-401-8400.

Health Priorities

The top 3 health priorities in 2022 were identified as:

• Substance Use
• Mental Health
• Overweight/Obesity

Other health and safety concerns fell around Communicable Disease, Injury and Violence, and Cancer.