Photo: Unknown author · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Bostonia is healthier than 51% of U.S. towns
Bostonia trails California on 12 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Bostonia. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Bostonia
Depression is more common in Bostonia
1 in 4 adults have been diagnosed with depression (24.3%), vs 20.1% across California. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 19.5%, vs 16.4% across California. Mind & connection ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Bostonia
1 in 11 adults were threatened with a utility shut-off (9.2%), vs 7.3% across California. No reliable transportation (11.2% vs 9.3%) and housing insecurity (17.9% vs 14.9%) are higher too. 21.5% of adults receive SNAP, vs 15.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Smoking is more common in Bostonia
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (13.8%), vs 10.9% across California. Habits ↓
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 California figure falls outside Bostonia’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C to B+.
What’s behind Bostonia’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Bostonia is healthier than 51% of U.S. towns, #513 of 847 in California. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 85% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 13%).
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). Bostonia’s median household income is $78,878; among the 10,804 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($59K–$99K), it’s healthier than 52%, about where its income would put it.
How Bostonia adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Bostonia runs above California.
2 in 5 Bostonia 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.
21.5% of Bostonia adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15.6% across California.
Everyday habits, side by side with California
Share of adults, with the California figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Out of every 100 Bostonia adults…
Bostonia runs above CA on 3 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Bostonia
No hospital or community health center in Bostonia 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 Bostonia; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Bostonia adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks California.
Bostonia and the towns around it
Bostonia’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 4 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bostonia | B− | 29.4% | 10.9% | 13.8% | CDC place |
| El Cajon | C+ | 30% | 11.8% | 15.3% | CDC place |
| Santee | A− | 26.2% | 9.5% | 11.4% | CDC place |
| Winter Gardens | B | 27.9% | 10.3% | 12.8% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Bostonia adults live with a disability (California 30.4%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Bostonia
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Bostonia is better than California on 0 and worse on 12; on the rest, the California figure falls inside Bostonia’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Bostonia | CA | U.S. | vs CA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 23.3%21.1–25.8 | 22.1% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.5%13.1–16.2 | 13.4% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.5%17.8–21.6 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 29.4%26.1–33.3 | 27.8% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 10.9%9.7–12.3 | 11.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 30.9%28.6–33.6 | 30.5% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 33.6%31.1–36.5 | 35.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 22%20.1–24.1 | 20.8% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 10.2%9.2–11.5 | 9.3% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7%6.5–7.7 | 6.4% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.8%5.3–6.4 | 5.6% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6.4%5.7–7.2 | 5.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 3.3%3–3.6 | 3.1% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 12.4%10.1–14.8 | 10.6% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 13.8%12.1–15.8 | 10.9% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 24.3%21.5–27.4 | 24.6% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.8%14.7–19.1 | 15.3% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.2%32.7–39.7 | 35.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.9%9.3–12.7 | 10.6% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 71.8%69.1–74.7 | 71.9% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 59.8%56.9–62.6 | 62.8% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.5%81.7–85.3 | 85.4% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 67.3%64.5–70.3 | 71.3% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60.8%56.7–64.7 | 57.5% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75.9%69.7–81.1 | 75.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.3%21.9–27.2 | 20.1% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 37.7%34.3–41.4 | 37.3% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.6%26.7–32.9 | 28.6% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20.9%18.4–23.5 | 17.9% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17.9%15.8–20.1 | 14.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.2%8.1–10.5 | 7.3% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.2%10–12.6 | 9.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 21.5%19–24.1 | 15.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 31.8%29–35.1 | 30.4% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 14.6%13.1–16.3 | 13.8% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.5%15.7–19.5 | 14.6% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.1%5.4–6.8 | 5.9% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 6.2%5.7–6.8 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.8%8.8–10.9 | 8.1% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.5%4.1–4.9 | 3.9% | 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 California figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Bostonia
Is Bostonia a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Bostonia is healthier than 51% of U.S. towns: B− for health, #513 of 847 in California. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 52%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Bostonia?
CDC estimates 29.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 26.1% and 33.3%, against 27.8% across California and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Bostonia?
Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, 4.7 miles in a straight line from Bostonia’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Bostonia have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.3–12.7%), against 10.6% across California.
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 Bostonia more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Bostonia.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The California 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.