Photo: Rgper22008 · Public domainOn CDC estimates, South Tucson is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
South Tucson differs from Arizona on 29 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 27 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for South Tucson. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in South Tucson
More South Tucson adults get no exercise
2 in 5 adults get no exercise outside work (41.7%), about twice the Arizona rate. Habits ↓
Making ends meet is harder in South Tucson
2 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (42%), more than twice the Arizona rate. Utility shut-off threats (19.8% vs 7.2%) and no reliable transportation (21.4% vs 8.7%) are higher too. 36.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.1% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in South Tucson
38.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.9% across Arizona. Among those 65 and older, 21% have lost all their teeth (Arizona 14.7%). Checkups ↓
South Tucson is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, South Tucson is healthier than 2%. Against the 1,017 towns with similar household incomes ($25K–$42K), it’s healthier than 24%. Health Grade ↓
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 Arizona figure falls outside South Tucson’s likely range.
What’s behind South Tucson’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, South Tucson is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #136 of 140 in Arizona. All seven of South Tucson’s estimates fall in the lowest 13% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is physical distress: 22.1% of adults, against 13% across Arizona and 13% 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). South Tucson’s median household income is $33,598; among the 1,017 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($25K–$42K), it’s healthier than 24%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where South Tucson compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.9% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 11.9% (U.S. 15.4%).
Everyday habits, side by side with Arizona
Share of adults, with the Arizona figure marked.
0.2 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
36.4% of South Tucson adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.1% across Arizona.
Keeping up with care
Share of South Tucson adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Arizona.
Out of every 100 South Tucson adults…
South Tucson runs below AZ on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 10. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near South Tucson
No hospital or community health center in South Tucson 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 South Tucson; ≈ 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).
How South Tucson adults are doing
On 4 of 4 measures, South Tucson runs above Arizona.
4 in 10 South Tucson 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.
South Tucson and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Tucson | D− | 42% | 19.9% | 19.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of South Tucson adults live with a disability (Arizona 31.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for South Tucson
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, South Tucson is better than Arizona on 2 and worse on 27; on the rest, the Arizona figure falls inside South Tucson’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | South Tucson | AZ | U.S. | vs AZ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 40.6%36.4–45 | 19.5% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 22.1%19.7–24.6 | 13% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.4%18.2–22.5 | 15.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42%37.6–46.2 | 31.3% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19.9%17.9–21.9 | 11.3% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 40.4%37.6–43 | 32.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.6%37.8–43.3 | 37.3% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 27.3%25.1–29.4 | 25.2% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.7%10.5–13 | 10.4% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.9%5.4–6.5 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.6%8.6–10.6 | 6.4% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 10.6%9.2–11.9 | 6.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.5%5–6.1 | 3.4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 21%18.1–24 | 14.7% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.4%16.6–22.2 | 11.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 41.7%37.2–46.3 | 21.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.9%10.2–13.7 | 15.3% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43%39–46.9 | 35.2% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 31.6%25.7–37.4 | 13.2% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 72.6%69.5–75.4 | 73.9% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 38.9%36–41.6 | 59.9% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 78.3%75.6–81.1 | 85.1% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 72.5%69.9–74.9 | 73.9% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 45.9%42.1–49.7 | 60.2% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 62.3%55.8–68.4 | 72.7% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.2%20.7–25.7 | 19.5% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 36.5%32.7–40.1 | 32% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 32.6%28.9–36.2 | 25.7% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 42%36.5–47.4 | 15.8% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 28.1%24.4–31.8 | 12% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 19.8%17.3–22.3 | 7.2% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 21.4%18.6–24.4 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 36.4%31.3–41.5 | 11.1% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 49.9%45.7–54.1 | 31.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.2%23.4–29.2 | 13.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 24.6%21.5–27.7 | 14.2% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.7%10.5–12.8 | 8.1% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 15.5%13.7–17.4 | 5.5% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.6%12.8–16.6 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 9.3%8.1–10.5 | 3.7% | 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 Arizona figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in South Tucson
Is South Tucson a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, South Tucson is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #136 of 140 in Arizona. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 24%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in South Tucson?
CDC estimates 42% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.6% and 46.2%, against 31.3% across Arizona and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to South Tucson?
Banner-University Medical Center South Campus in Tucson, 2.5 miles in a straight line from South Tucson’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in South Tucson have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 31.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 25.7–37.4%), against 13.2% across Arizona.
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 South Tucson more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in South Tucson.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Arizona 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.