Claybank Log Church · Photo: Katie Pollock · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Ozark is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns
Ozark differs from Alabama on 19 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 18 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Ozark. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Ozark
Ozark is in the bottom 5% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Ozark is healthier than only 5% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Ozark
1 in 9 adults have COPD (11.4%), vs 8% across Alabama. 1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.7%), vs 4.1% across Alabama. Heart disease is also above the state: 9.7%, vs 7.3% across Alabama. In all, Ozark runs above Alabama on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Ozark
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (26.3%), vs 19.2% across Alabama. Utility shut-off threats (13.8% vs 9.6%) and no reliable transportation (13.4% vs 9.8%) are higher too. 22.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14% 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 Ozark’s likely range.
What’s behind Ozark’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Ozark is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns, #167 of 187 in Alabama. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 21% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 3%).
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). Ozark’s median household income is $48,944; among the 5,376 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$61K), it’s healthier than 12%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Ozark compares well: binge drinking, 11.2% (U.S. 15.4%).
Out of every 100 Ozark adults…
Ozark runs above AL on 8 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.
22.9% of Ozark adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14% across Alabama.
Care in and near Ozark
1 hospital in Ozark, 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 Ozark; ≈ 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.
3.9 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Ozark adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Alabama.
How Ozark adults are doing
About the same as Alabama on each measure.
4 in 10 Ozark 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.
Ozark and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ozark | D− | 44.3% | 19.4% | 19.6% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Ozark adults live with a disability (Alabama 36.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Ozark
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Ozark is better than Alabama on 1 and worse on 18; on the rest, the Alabama figure falls inside Ozark’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Ozark | AL | U.S. | vs AL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 30.4%27–33.6 | 22.8% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.9%15.8–19.9 | 14.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18.8%16.6–21 | 17.2% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44.3%36.7–52.1 | 39.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 19.4%17.1–21.7 | 14.8% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.3%45.8–54.5 | 43.3% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 44.6%40.1–49.1 | 40.7% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.3%32.6–39.9 | 30.3% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11%9.7–12.4 | 10% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.2%8.4–10.1 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.7%8.7–10.7 | 7.3% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 11.4%10.1–12.6 | 8% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.7%5.2–6.1 | 4.1% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 20.4%17–24.4 | 15.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.6%17–22.2 | 15.1% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 35.8%30.8–40.8 | 28.7% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.2%9.1–13.6 | 14.1% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.5%34.1–47.3 | 39.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.7%10–13.7 | 9.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.2%79–85.1 | 80.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.4%47.6–55.6 | 56.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.9%84.1–87.6 | 85.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.6%78–82.9 | 78% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.9%61.8–71.8 | 67% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.7%65.7–80.7 | 77.9% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.4%20.7–28.1 | 23.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 36.3%31.2–41.5 | 35.4% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 26.3%22.7–30.1 | 24.8% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 26.3%23.3–29.4 | 19.2% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 18%15.8–20.3 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13.8%12.2–15.5 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.4%12–14.9 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 22.9%20.2–25.6 | 14% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.6%39.9–49.2 | 36.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 23.4%20.8–25.9 | 17.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.1%17–21.2 | 16.1% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.4%9.3–11.6 | 8.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.7%7.9–9.5 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.2%11.9–14.6 | 9.8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.9%6.3–7.5 | 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 Ozark
Is Ozark a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Ozark is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #167 of 187 in Alabama. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 12%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Ozark?
CDC estimates 44.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.7% and 52.1%, against 39.4% across Alabama and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Ozark?
Dale Medical Center in Ozark, 0.8 miles in a straight line from Ozark’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Ozark have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.7% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10–13.7%), 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 Ozark more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Ozark.
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.