Cleburne County Farm Cemetery · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0Within Arkansas, Heber Springs is healthier than 58% of graded towns
Heber Springs differs from Arkansas on 13 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 8 better, 5 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Heber Springs. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Heber Springs
Heber Springs is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Heber Springs is healthier than 22%. Against the 6,019 towns with similar household incomes ($38K–$63K), it’s healthier than 50%. Health Grade ↓
Heber Springs looks healthier next to Arkansas than next to the country
It’s healthier than 58% of the 123 Arkansas towns we grade, but 22% of towns nationwide. Much of Arkansas scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Heber Springs
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (11.3%), vs 8.2% across Arkansas. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (9.8%), vs 7.7% across Arkansas. Arthritis is also above the state: 35%, vs 28.5% across Arkansas. In all, Heber Springs runs above Arkansas on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Fewer Heber Springs 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 Heber Springs’ likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to B−.
What’s behind Heber Springs’ grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Heber Springs is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns, #52 of 123 in Arkansas. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 49% of U.S. towns); no exercise pulls it down (better than 10%).
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). Heber Springs’ median household income is $50,636; among the 6,019 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($38K–$63K), it’s healthier than 50%, about where its income would put it.
Where Heber Springs compares well: taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 81.2% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Heber Springs adults…
Heber Springs runs below AR on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 5. 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.
8.9% of Heber Springs adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.
Care in and near Heber Springs
1 community health center in Heber Springs, 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 Heber Springs; ≈ 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.
3.9 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Heber Springs adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.
How Heber Springs adults are doing
About the same as Arkansas on each measure.
1 in 3 Heber Springs 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.
Heber Springs and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heber Springs | C− | 36.3% | 14% | 15.8% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Heber Springs adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Heber Springs
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Heber Springs is better than Arkansas on 8 and worse on 5; on the rest, the Arkansas figure falls inside Heber Springs’ likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Heber Springs | AR | U.S. | vs AR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 25.4%22–28.9 | 24.4% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.3%15.1–19.4 | 15.6% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.8%15.7–20 | 18.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36.3%28.9–44.3 | 39.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 14%12.1–16 | 13.3% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 43.7%39.3–48.1 | 41.4% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.5%37–46.1 | 38% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 35%31.4–38.7 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.2%9–11.5 | 10.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 11.3%10.3–12.4 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.8%8.8–11 | 7.7% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.4%9–11.9 | 8.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4.8%4.3–5.4 | 4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 14.7%12–17.8 | 18.6% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.8%13.4–18.5 | 15.8% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 33.7%28.5–38.9 | 32.1% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 13.7%11.2–16.6 | 14.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 34.5%28.3–40.9 | 38.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9.8%8–11.9 | 11.3% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.6%77.4–83.7 | 79% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 58%54.3–61.8 | 54.7% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87%85.2–88.6 | 84.8% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 81.2%78.6–83.6 | 76.9% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67%62–71.7 | 61.6% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 73.8%65.7–80.7 | 71.4% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.9%21.2–28.8 | 24.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.8%28.9–39.4 | 34.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 25%21.4–29.1 | 27% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 14.8%12.4–17.5 | 18.5% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 10.6%9–12.5 | 14.4% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 7.6%6.6–8.9 | 10.4% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 7.8%6.8–9 | 9.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 8.9%7.3–10.7 | 11.6% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42.1%37.2–46.8 | 38.2% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 20.5%17.9–23.2 | 17.6% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18%15.8–20.2 | 18.2% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.5%10.3–12.9 | 8.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 6.2%5.5–7.1 | 6.2% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10.5%9.2–11.9 | 10% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.7%4.2–5.3 | 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 Arkansas figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Heber Springs
Is Heber Springs a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Heber Springs is healthier than 22% of U.S. towns: ≈ C− for health, #52 of 123 in Arkansas. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 50%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Heber Springs?
CDC estimates 36.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 28.9% and 44.3%, against 39.3% across Arkansas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Heber Springs?
Baptist Health Medical Center Heber Springs in Heber Springs, 4.1 miles in a straight line from Heber Springs’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Heber Springs have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8–11.9%), against 11.3% across Arkansas.
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 Heber Springs 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 Heber Springs.
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. 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.