Photo: Quintin Soloviev · CC BY 4.0Within Connecticut, New London is healthier than 5% of graded towns
New London differs from Connecticut on 21 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 19 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for New London. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in New London
New London is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, New London is healthier than 39%. Against the 8,685 towns with similar household incomes ($44K–$74K), it’s healthier than 62%. Health Grade ↓
Every town around New London scores healthier
All three graded neighbors are ahead of New London’s C+, from Groton (B) to Waterford (A−). Around town ↓
Making ends meet is harder in New London
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (23.6%), vs 14.9% across Connecticut. No reliable transportation (13.2% vs 8.3%) and utility shut-off threats (12.9% vs 8.4%) are higher too. 20.3% of adults receive SNAP, vs 11.7% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in New London
61.8% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 70.7% across Connecticut. Among those 65 and older, 16.7% have lost all their teeth (Connecticut 9.8%). Checkups ↓
Cancer and high cholesterol are less common in New London
New London runs below Connecticut on cancer (5.9% vs 8.5%) and high cholesterol (32.6% vs 38.4%). 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 Connecticut figure falls outside New London’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B.
What’s behind New London’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, New London is healthier than 39% of U.S. towns, #147 of 154 in Connecticut. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 73% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 16%).
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). New London’s median household income is $59,098; among the 8,685 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($44K–$74K), it’s healthier than 62%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Where New London compares well: high cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years), 32.6% (U.S. 37.1%); cancer, other than skin cancer, 5.9% (U.S. 7.9%).
New London and the towns around it
New London’s Health Grade ranks 4th 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New London | C+ | 36.4% | 11.1% | 12.3% | CDC place |
| Waterford | A− | 30.3% | 9.6% | 9.1% | ZIP codes |
| Groton | A− | 30.6% | 8.8% | 9.5% | ZIP codes |
| Groton | B | 33.8% | 9.8% | 11.8% | CDC place |
| Waterford | — | — | — | — | |
| Conning Towers-Nautilus Park | — | — | — | — |
Waterford and Conning Towers-Nautilus Park: Census-designated places inside larger towns, graded as part of them. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
20.3% of New London adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 11.7% across Connecticut.
Keeping up with care
Share of New London adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Connecticut.
Out of every 100 New London adults…
New London runs below CT on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 4. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near New London
1 hospital and 2 community health centers in New London, 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 New London; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Connecticut
Share of adults, with the Connecticut figure marked.
9.4 miles of trails across 17 parks and preserves
How New London adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, New London runs above Connecticut.
1 in 3 New London 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of New London adults live with a disability (Connecticut 25.3%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for New London
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, New London is better than Connecticut on 2 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Connecticut figure falls inside New London’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | New London | CT | U.S. | vs CT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 22.7%20.4–25.3 | 16.2% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.8%13.3–16.5 | 12.4% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.2%17.3–21.4 | 15.8% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 36.4%31.7–41.9 | 30.5% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 11.1%9.9–12.6 | 10.2% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 33.1%30.4–36.3 | 32% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 32.6%29.8–35.8 | 38.4% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 22.9%20.9–25.3 | 24.7% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 12.3%11–13.8 | 11% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5.9%5.4–6.5 | 8.5% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.7%5.2–6.3 | 5.8% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 6.4%5.8–7.2 | 5.6% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 3.3%3.1–3.6 | 3.2% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 16.7%14–20 | 9.8% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 12.3%10.8–14.1 | 10.6% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 31.6%28–35.5 | 25.1% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 15.2%13–17.8 | 15.4% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 40.7%36.3–45.4 | 35.8% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 14.8%12.9–17 | 10% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.6%75.8–81.6 | 80.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.8%58.6–64.9 | 70.7% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.2%82.2–86.2 | 89.5% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 72.1%69.7–74.7 | 76.5% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.5%63.5–71.4 | 72.3% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.1%70.2–81.5 | 79.5% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23.8%21–27 | 20.6% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Feel lonely | 35.8%31.9–39.8 | 33.2% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.2%24–30.4 | 25.1% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 23.6%20.9–26.4 | 14.9% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 18.8%16.6–21.1 | 12.5% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 12.9%11.4–14.6 | 8.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 13.2%11.7–14.7 | 8.3% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 20.3%17.9–22.8 | 11.7% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 33.1%29.8–36.8 | 25.3% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 13.6%12.1–15.2 | 11.3% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 17.9%16–20 | 12.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 5.8%5.2–6.6 | 5.9% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 6.9%6.3–7.5 | 4.8% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.6%8.6–10.7 | 7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.6%4.2–5 | 3.5% | 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 Connecticut figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in New London
Is New London a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, New London is healthier than 39% of U.S. towns: C+ for health, #147 of 154 in Connecticut. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 62%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in New London?
CDC estimates 36.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 31.7% and 41.9%, against 30.5% across Connecticut and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to New London?
Lawrence & Memorial Hospital in New London, 0.5 miles in a straight line from New London’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in New London have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 14.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 12.9–17%), against 10% across Connecticut.
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 New London 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 New London.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Connecticut 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.