Edward L. Westbrooke Building · Photo: Brandonrush · CC BY-SA 4.0Within Arkansas, Jonesboro is healthier than 61% of graded towns
Jonesboro differs from Arkansas on 10 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 4 better, 6 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Jonesboro. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Jonesboro
Jonesboro looks healthier next to Arkansas than next to the country
It’s healthier than 61% of the 123 Arkansas towns we grade, but 26% of towns nationwide. Much of Arkansas scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Jonesboro is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Jonesboro is healthier than 26%. Against the 7,542 towns with similar household incomes ($42K–$69K), it’s healthier than 47%. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Jonesboro
1 in 8 adults lack reliable transportation (12.3%), vs 9.7% across Arkansas. Utility shut-off threats (13% vs 10.4%) are higher too. 15.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Heart disease and cancer are less common in Jonesboro
Jonesboro runs below Arkansas on heart disease (6.4% vs 7.7%) and cancer (6.9% vs 8.2%). Conditions ↓
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 Jonesboro’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to B.
What’s behind Jonesboro’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Jonesboro is healthier than 26% of U.S. towns, #48 of 123 in Arkansas. Diabetes holds the grade up (fewer adults with diabetes than 61% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 7%).
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). Jonesboro’s median household income is $55,424; among the 7,542 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($42K–$69K), it’s healthier than 47%, about where its income would put it.
Where Jonesboro compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6.9% (U.S. 7.9%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
15.6% of Jonesboro adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.
Out of every 100 Jonesboro adults…
Jonesboro runs below AR on 4 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Jonesboro
2 hospitals and 1 community health center in Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro; ≈ 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.
32 miles of trails across 13 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Jonesboro adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.
How Jonesboro adults are doing
About the same as Arkansas on each measure.
1 in 3 Jonesboro 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.
Jonesboro and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Jonesboro adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Jonesboro
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Jonesboro is better than Arkansas on 4 and worse on 6; on the rest, the Arkansas figure falls inside Jonesboro’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Jonesboro | AR | U.S. | vs AR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 24.6%21.9–27.5 | 24.4% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.8%13.1–16.6 | 15.6% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.5%18.2–23 | 18.5% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 39.2%33–45.6 | 39.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 11.4%9.9–13 | 13.3% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 38.1%34.3–42 | 41.4% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 35%31.3–38.9 | 38% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 26%23.2–29 | 28.5% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.8%9.6–12.3 | 10.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.9%6.2–7.6 | 8.2% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.4%5.8–7.1 | 7.7% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 7.8%7–8.7 | 8.6% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.5%3.2–3.8 | 4% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 17.8%14.8–20.9 | 18.6% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.7%13.6–17.9 | 15.8% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 31.7%27.5–36.1 | 32.1% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.1%12.4–18.3 | 14.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.2%35.4–47.1 | 38.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 11.6%10–13.3 | 11.3% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 77.2%73.5–80.7 | 79% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 52.8%49.2–56.4 | 54.7% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 81.5%79.2–83.6 | 84.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 72.4%69.4–75.2 | 76.9% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.4%57.2–67.1 | 61.6% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 71.3%62.9–78.5 | 71.4% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.7%23.1–30.7 | 24.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.6%30.9–40.2 | 34.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 28%24.4–31.7 | 27% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 22%19.4–24.5 | 18.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 16.9%14.9–19 | 14.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13%11.5–14.6 | 10.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.3%11–13.7 | 9.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 15.6%13.7–17.6 | 11.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 38.4%34.2–42.7 | 38.2% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.8%14–17.7 | 17.6% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.6%18.6–22.9 | 18.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.4%6.5–8.3 | 8.6% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 6.5%6–7.1 | 6.2% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.1%10–12.2 | 10% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.5%4.2–4.9 | 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 Jonesboro
Is Jonesboro a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Jonesboro is healthier than 26% of U.S. towns: ≈ C for health, #48 of 123 in Arkansas. 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 Jonesboro?
CDC estimates 39.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 33% and 45.6%, against 39.3% across Arkansas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Jonesboro?
St. Bernards Medical Center in Jonesboro, 1.9 miles in a straight line from Jonesboro’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.
How many people in Jonesboro have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 11.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10–13.3%), 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 Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro.
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.