Mills House · Photo: Valis55 · CC BY-SA 3.0Kensett’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Kensett differs from Arkansas on 25 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 23 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Kensett. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Kensett
Dental care lags in Kensett
38% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 54.7% across Arkansas. Among those 65 and older, 38.6% have lost all their teeth (Arkansas 18.6%). Checkups ↓
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Kensett
1 in 6 adults have COPD (16.2%), about twice the Arkansas rate. 1 in 14 adults have had a stroke (6.9%), vs 4% across Arkansas. Heart disease is also above the state: 12.1%, vs 7.7% across Arkansas. In all, Kensett runs above Arkansas on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Kensett is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Kensett is healthier than fewer than 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More high blood pressure in Kensett, and more people treating it
50.5% of adults have high blood pressure (Arkansas 41.4%), but 80.2% of them take medicine for it, vs 76.9% statewide. Checkups ↓
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 Kensett’s likely range.
What’s behind Kensett’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Kensett is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Kensett’s estimates fall in the lowest 2% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is no exercise: 48.4% of adults, against 32.1% across Arkansas and 24.7% nationally.
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). Kensett’s median household income is $31,207; among the 699 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($23K–$39K), it’s healthier than 4%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Kensett compares well: binge drinking, 11% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 80.2% (U.S. 76.5%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Kensett adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arkansas.
Out of every 100 Kensett adults…
Kensett runs above AR on 10 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Kensett
1 community health center in Kensett, 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 Kensett; ≈ 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 Kensett adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Kensett runs above Arkansas.
1 in 3 Kensett 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
31% of Kensett adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.6% across Arkansas.
Kensett and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Kensett adults live with a disability (Arkansas 38.2%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Kensett
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Kensett is better than Arkansas on 2 and worse on 23; on the rest, the Arkansas figure falls inside Kensett’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Kensett | AR | U.S. | vs AR |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 40.5%36.1–45.1 | 24.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 23.1%20.5–25.9 | 15.6% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 22.8%20.4–25.3 | 18.5% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 48.5%41.4–55.1 | 39.3% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 20.7%18.3–23.2 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.5%46.3–54.3 | 41.4% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 43%38.7–46.9 | 38% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 36.8%33.4–40.1 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.7 | 10.3% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.2%7.3–9 | 8.2% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 12.1%10.9–13.5 | 7.7% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 16.2%14.3–18.3 | 8.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.9%6.3–7.7 | 4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 38.6%33.2–43.9 | 18.6% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 26.4%23–30 | 15.8% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 48.4%42.8–53.8 | 32.1% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11%8.9–13.3 | 14.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.4%36.3–48.5 | 38.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 20%16.7–23.5 | 11.3% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.5%74.9–81.7 | 79% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 38%34.4–41.6 | 54.7% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 80.5%78–83 | 84.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.2%77.6–82.4 | 76.9% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 55.5%50–60.7 | 61.6% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 63.8%54.8–72.4 | 71.4% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.1%23.4–30.8 | 24.6% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.6%30.7–41 | 34.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 30.3%26.2–34.8 | 27% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 39%34.2–43.6 | 18.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 24.7%21.5–28 | 14.4% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 20%17.5–22.5 | 10.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 18.3%16.1–20.7 | 9.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 31%26.7–34.9 | 11.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 54.3%49.1–59.1 | 38.2% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 30.3%27.1–33.8 | 17.6% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 26.8%23.9–30 | 18.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 12.6%11.2–14 | 8.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 13.1%11.8–14.6 | 6.2% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 17.9%15.9–20.1 | 10% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 9.7%8.7–10.9 | 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 Arkansas figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Kensett
Is Kensett a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Kensett is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 4%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Kensett?
CDC estimates 48.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 41.4% and 55.1%, against 39.3% across Arkansas and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Kensett?
White County Medical Center in Searcy, 1.8 miles in a straight line from Kensett’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Kensett have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 20% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 16.7–23.5%), 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 Kensett more than anything measured there. Even at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade stays D−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Kensett.
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.