Buffalo River State Park · Photo: National Park Service inventory · Public domainWhere Buffalo City residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Buffalo City, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 72653. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Buffalo City
Cancer, heart disease and COPD run high in Buffalo City
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (12.4%), vs 8.2% across Arkansas. 1 in 9 adults have heart disease (11.5%), vs 7.7% across Arkansas. COPD is also above the state: 11.8%, vs 8.6% across Arkansas. In all, Buffalo City runs above Arkansas on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Buffalo City, and more people treating it
47.6% of adults have high blood pressure (Arkansas 41.4%), but 82.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.9% statewide. Checkups ↓
Fewer Buffalo City adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Arkansas. 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 Arkansas figure falls outside Buffalo City’s likely range; Buffalo City’s figures come from ZIP code 72653, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Buffalo City adults…
Buffalo City runs above AR on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Buffalo City adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
9.7% of Buffalo City adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.
Care in and near Buffalo City
No hospital or community health center in Buffalo City 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 Buffalo City; ≈ 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 Arkansas
Share of adults, with the Arkansas figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Buffalo City adults are doing
About the same as Arkansas on each measure.
1 in 3 Buffalo City 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.
Buffalo City and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Buffalo City adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Buffalo City
Why doesn’t Buffalo City have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Buffalo City.
What hospital is closest to Buffalo City?
Baxter Health in Mountain Home, 12.3 miles in a straight line from Buffalo City’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Buffalo City.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Arkansas figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. 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.