Photo: Ecjmartin1 · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Newton is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns
Newton differs from Alabama on 6 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 2 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Newton. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Newton
Newton is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Newton is healthier than 30%. Against the 8,921 towns with similar household incomes ($45K–$75K), it’s healthier than 47%. Health Grade ↓
Cancer runs high in Newton
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (10.2%), vs 8.2% across Alabama. Conditions ↓
Fewer Newton adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Alabama. 1 in 7 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 5 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Newton’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.
What’s behind Newton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Newton is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 55% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 14%).
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). Newton’s median household income is $60,030; among the 8,921 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($45K–$75K), it’s healthier than 47%, about where its income would put it.
Out of every 100 Newton adults…
Newton runs above AL on 2 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
10.7% of Newton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Care in and near Newton
1 community health center in Newton, plus the nearest just outside it.
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 Newton; ≈ 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.
0.3 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Newton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
How Newton adults are doing
About the same as Alabama on each measure.
1 in 3 Newton 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.
Newton and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Newton adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Newton
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Newton is better than Alabama on 4 and worse on 2; on the rest, the Alabama figure falls inside Newton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Newton | AL | U.S. | vs AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 23%19.7–26.7 | 22.8% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.2%13.2–17.5 | 14.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 16.8%14.7–19.1 | 17.2% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 38.3%31–46.2 | 39.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.1%13.1–17.3 | 14.8% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 44.7%40.4–49.2 | 43.3% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 44.4%39.7–49 | 40.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 34.2%30.7–37.9 | 30.3% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.1%8.8–11.4 | 10% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.2%9.2–11.3 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.3%7.3–9.4 | 7.3% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 8.9%7.6–10.5 | 8% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 4.4%3.9–4.9 | 4.1% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 13.9%11.2–17.1 | 15.4% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.4%12.7–18.5 | 15.1% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 28.4%23.7–33.8 | 28.7% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 13.1%10.6–15.9 | 14.1% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36%29.8–42.7 | 39.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 8.9%7–10.9 | 9.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.2%77.6–84.3 | 80.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 60.1%56.2–64 | 56.9% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87.7%85.6–89.4 | 85.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.2%77.3–82.7 | 78% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 69.8%65–74.4 | 67% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.5%69.1–82.8 | 77.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.5%20.9–28.5 | 23.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 34.2%29.1–39.5 | 35.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 23.3%19.7–27.2 | 24.8% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 15.1%12.5–18 | 19.2% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 10.8%9–12.7 | 13.9% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 7.4%6.2–8.6 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 8.1%6.9–9.2 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 10.7%8.7–12.8 | 14% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 38.3%33.5–43.7 | 36.5% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 18.1%15.5–21 | 17.1% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 15.9%13.7–18.3 | 16.1% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.7%8.5–11 | 8.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 5.6%4.9–6.4 | 6% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.6%8.3–11.1 | 9.8% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.5%3.9–5.2 | 4.6% | 3.8% | About the same |
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 Newton
Is Newton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Newton is healthier than 30% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 47%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Newton?
CDC estimates 38.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 31% and 46.2%, against 39.4% across Alabama and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Newton?
Dale Medical Center in Ozark, 8.0 miles in a straight line from Newton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Newton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 8.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7–10.9%), 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 Newton more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Newton.
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.