Photo: Altairisfar · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Linden is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Linden differs from Alabama on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 20 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Linden. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Linden
Linden is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Linden is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Linden
1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.8%), vs 4.1% across Alabama. 1 in 8 adults have COPD (12.8%), vs 8% across Alabama. Diabetes is also above the state: 22.7%, vs 14.8% across Alabama. In all, Linden runs above Alabama on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Linden
44.1% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 56.9% across Alabama. Among those 65 and older, 27.6% have lost all their teeth (Alabama 15.4%). Checkups ↓
More high blood pressure in Linden, and more people treating it
55.5% of adults have high blood pressure (Alabama 43.3%), but 81.5% of them take medicine for it, vs 78% statewide. Checkups ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the Alabama figure falls outside Linden’s likely range.
What’s behind Linden’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Linden is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 15% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (near the bottom of U.S. towns).
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Linden’s median household income is $38,667; among the 2,025 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($29K–$48K), it’s healthier than 13%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Linden compares well: binge drinking, 10.5% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 81.5% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Linden adults…
Linden runs above AL on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Linden adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
Care in and near Linden
No hospital or community health center in Linden itself. These are the nearest.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Linden; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with Alabama
Share of adults, with the Alabama figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Linden adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Linden runs above Alabama.
2 in 5 Linden adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
31.1% of Linden adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Linden and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Linden | D− | 45.8% | 22.7% | 21.2% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Linden adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Linden
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Linden is better than Alabama on 2 and worse on 20; on the rest, the Alabama figure falls inside Linden’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Linden | AL | U.S. | vs AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 34.9%31–39 | 22.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.1%16.8–21.5 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.3%17–21.6 | 17.2% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 45.8%37.8–54.2 | 39.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 22.7%19.9–25.5 | 14.8% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 55.5%51.1–59.9 | 43.3% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 45.6%41.1–50.2 | 40.7% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 38.2%34.5–42 | 30.3% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.5%10.1–13 | 10% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.5%7.6–9.4 | 8.2% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 10.9%9.7–12.1 | 7.3% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 12.8%11.3–14.6 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.8%6.2–7.5 | 4.1% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 27.6%23–32.4 | 15.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.2%18.2–24.3 | 15.1% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 40.4%34.8–46 | 28.7% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 10.5%8.5–12.8 | 14.1% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.4%37.2–51.5 | 39.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13%10.8–15.5 | 9.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 83.3%80.2–86.1 | 80.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 44.1%40–48.2 | 56.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85%83.1–87 | 85.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.5%79.1–83.8 | 78% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.1%57.5–68.3 | 67% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.2%64.9–80.3 | 77.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.1%19.5–26.9 | 23.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 38.4%33–44.4 | 35.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.6%25.6–34 | 24.8% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 34.2%30.1–38.3 | 19.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 22.8%19.9–25.8 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 17.9%15.8–20.2 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 16.5%14.7–18.7 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 31.1%27.4–35 | 14% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 48.2%42.9–53.1 | 36.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 27.8%24.6–31 | 17.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.6%18.2–23 | 16.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11%9.8–12.2 | 8.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 10.8%9.7–12 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.6%13.8–17.4 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.5%7.6–9.4 | 4.6% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the Alabama figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Linden
Is Linden a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Linden is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 13%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Linden?
CDC estimates 45.8% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.8% and 54.2%, against 39.4% across Alabama and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Linden?
Whitfield Regional Hospital in Demopolis, 11.5 miles in a straight line from Linden’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Linden have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.8–15.5%), against 9.9% across Alabama.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Linden more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Linden.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Alabama figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.