Where Central City residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Central City, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Central City. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Central City
Central City keeps up with checkups
It beats Arkansas on three of five routine checkups and screenings, including dentist visits (60.9% vs 54.7%) and cholesterol checks (87.1% vs 84.8%). Checkups ↓
Cancer runs high in Central City
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (9.9%), vs 8.2% across Arkansas. Conditions ↓
Fewer Central City adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Arkansas. 1 in 8 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 Central City’s likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of Central City adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.
Out of every 100 Central City adults…
Central City runs below AR on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. 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.
6.4% of Central City adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.
Care in and near Central City
No hospital or community health center in Central 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 Central 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.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Central City adults are doing
About the same as Arkansas on each measure.
1 in 3 Central 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.
Central City and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barling | C | 34.4% | 12.3% | 15.7% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Central City adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Central City
Why doesn’t Central 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 Central City.
What hospital is closest to Central City?
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith in Fort Smith, 6.5 miles in a straight line from Central City’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Central City?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Eastside Family Clinic in Fort Smith, 5.8 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Central 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.