Photo: Jeffrey Beall · CC BY 3.0On CDC estimates, Black Forest is healthier than 94% of U.S. towns
Black Forest differs from Colorado on 14 of 26 measures CDC estimates: 10 better, 4 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Black Forest. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Black Forest
Colorado sets a high bar
Black Forest is healthier than 94% of U.S. towns, but only 68% of the 159 Colorado towns we grade. Health Grade ↓
Cancer, arthritis and high cholesterol run high in Black Forest
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (10.8%), vs 7.8% across Colorado. 3 in 10 adults have arthritis (28.5%), vs 22.9% across Colorado. High cholesterol is also above the state: 38.7%, vs 31.5% across Colorado. In all, Black Forest runs above Colorado on four of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Against towns with similar incomes, Black Forest’s lead shrinks
Black Forest is healthier than 94% of U.S. towns, but 75% of the 3,092 towns with similar household incomes ($109K–$182K). Part of its edge is what towns with its incomes tend to have. Health Grade ↓
More high blood pressure in Black Forest, and more people treating it
31.7% of adults have high blood pressure (Colorado 27%), but 73.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 69.5% statewide. Checkups ↓
Black Forest keeps up with checkups
It beats Colorado on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (78.6% vs 71.4%) and dentist visits (73.9% vs 64.6%). 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 Colorado figure falls outside Black Forest’s likely range.
What’s behind Black Forest’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Black Forest is healthier than 94% of U.S. towns, #52 of 159 in Colorado. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is no exercise (fewer adults who get no exercise than 97% of towns); the weakest is physical distress, still better than 79%.
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). Black Forest’s median household income is $145,460; among the 3,092 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($109K–$182K), it’s healthier than 75%, about where its income would put it.
Most Colorado towns score higher on these estimates than towns elsewhere, so within the state Black Forest is healthier than 68% of graded towns, against 94% nationally.
Out of every 100 Black Forest adults…
Black Forest runs below CO on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 4. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Black Forest adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Colorado.
Care in and near Black Forest
No hospital or community health center in Black Forest 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 Black Forest; ≈ 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 Colorado
Share of adults, with the Colorado figure marked.
31 miles of trails across 2 parks and preserves
How Black Forest adults are doing
About the same as Colorado on each measure.
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.
Black Forest and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Forest | A | 26.1% | 9.2% | 8.6% | CDC place |
| Colorado Springs | A− | 28.4% | 9% | 11% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Black Forest adults live with a disability (Colorado 27.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Black Forest
Share of adults, 33 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 26 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Black Forest is better than Colorado on 10 and worse on 4; on the rest, the Colorado figure falls inside Black Forest’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Black Forest | CO | U.S. | vs CO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 13.2%11.4–15.2 | 15.5% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 12.2%10.8–13.7 | 11.9% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.5%12.9–16.1 | 16% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 26.1%22.6–29.7 | 26.1% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 9.2%7.9–10.4 | 8.6% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 31.7%28.9–34.6 | 27% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.7%35.5–41.8 | 31.5% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 28.5%25.9–31.1 | 22.9% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.4%10.2–12.7 | 10.9% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 10.8%9.8–11.8 | 7.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.6%4.9–6.2 | 5.1% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 5.3%4.5–6.1 | 5.3% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 2.9%2.6–3.2 | 2.7% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 6.4%5–7.9 | 9.2% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 8.6%7.1–10.2 | 10.9% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 15.3%12.9–17.8 | 17.7% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.3%13.2–17.5 | 19% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 30.9%27.5–34.6 | 30.7% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 5.1%4.3–6 | 11.1% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.6%76.1–81.1 | 71.4% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 73.9%71.3–76.3 | 64.6% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 90.5%89.3–91.7 | 85.2% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 73.7%70.2–76.9 | 69.5% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 71.6%68–75.1 | 62.4% | 65.5% | Better |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.4%66.1–77.9 | 71.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.9%21.4–26.6 | 22.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 26.8%23.8–29.9 | 27.1% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 11%9.5–12.7 | 10.4% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 11.1%9.7–12.6 | 13.9% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.9%6.1–7.7 | 6.4% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 3.1%2.7–3.4 | 4.2% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 5.4%4.7–6.2 | 6.7% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 2.6%2.3–2.9 | 2.9% | 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 Colorado figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Black Forest
Is Black Forest a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Black Forest is healthier than 94% of U.S. towns: A for health, #52 of 159 in Colorado. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 75%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Black Forest?
CDC estimates 26.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 22.6% and 29.7%, against 26.1% across Colorado and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Black Forest?
Uchealth Grandview Hospital in Colorado Springs, 11.9 miles in a straight line from Black Forest’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Black Forest have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 5.1% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.3–6%), against 11.1% across Colorado.
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 Black Forest more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from A− to A+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Black Forest.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Colorado 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.