Photo: Radomianin · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Key West is healthier than 76% of U.S. towns
Key West differs from Florida on 11 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 10 better, 1 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Key West. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Key West
Binge drinking is the habit Key West doesn’t win on
17.9% of adults binge drink, vs 14.6% across Florida, even though more of them exercise. Habits ↓
Key West has a top-rated hospital
Lower Keys Medical Center is rated 4 of 5 stars by Medicare and has an emergency room. Getting care ↓
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 Florida figure falls outside Key West’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B− to A.
What’s behind Key West’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Key West is healthier than 76% of U.S. towns, #163 of 636 in Florida. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is obesity (fewer adults with obesity than 94% of towns); the weakest is diabetes, still better than 56%.
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). Key West’s median household income is $87,037; among the 10,247 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($65K–$109K), it’s healthier than 79%, about where its income would put it.
Everyday habits, side by side with Florida
Share of adults, with the Florida figure marked.
13 miles of trails across 19 parks and preserves
Care in and near Key West
1 hospital and 2 community health centers in Key West, 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 Key West; ≈ 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).
Out of every 100 Key West adults…
Key West runs below FL on 4 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Key West adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Florida.
How Key West adults are doing
About the same as Florida 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
12.9% of Key West adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15% across Florida.
Key West and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Key West | A− | 26.1% | 11.7% | 12.4% | CDC place |
| Stock Island | B | 28.5% | 12.7% | 13.5% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Key West adults live with a disability (Florida 31.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Key West
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Key West is better than Florida on 10 and worse on 1; on the rest, the Florida figure falls inside Key West’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Key West | FL | U.S. | vs FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 17.4%15.2–19.7 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.3%11.8–15 | 14.3% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.2%13.4–17.1 | 15.8% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 26.1%20.4–32.1 | 31.9% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 11.7%10.2–13.4 | 13.5% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 34.8%30.8–38.6 | 36.6% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.1%33.8–42.2 | 39% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 24.7%21.7–27.6 | 26.6% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 9.1%8–10.2 | 9.4% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9%8.2–9.8 | 9.1% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.5%5.9–7.3 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.4%5.7–7.2 | 7.2% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.2%3–3.5 | 3.8% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 10.1%8.2–12.2 | 12.7% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 12.4%10.6–14.3 | 12.4% | 11.8% | About the same |
| No exercise outside work | 22.4%18.9–26.1 | 26.3% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 17.9%14.8–21.2 | 14.6% | 15.4% | Worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 35.2%29.6–40.9 | 37.3% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13%11.2–14.7 | 15.9% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 77.5%73.9–80.8 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 61.6%58.2–65 | 57.4% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 87.8%86.2–89.2 | 87% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 77.2%74.1–80 | 78.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 66.9%62.2–71.2 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.2%66.7–80.6 | 76.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 16.7%14–19.5 | 17.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 23.2%20.2–26.4 | 24.7% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 14.4%12.9–15.9 | 16.8% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 12.4%11.1–13.9 | 13.9% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 7.9%6.9–8.9 | 8.6% | 7.6% | About the same |
| Lack reliable transportation | 8.1%7.3–8.9 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 12.9%11.6–14.4 | 15% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 27.8%24.2–31.6 | 31.3% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 12.8%11.2–14.6 | 15.1% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 12.5%11.1–14 | 13.7% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.8%6–7.5 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 4.9%4.4–5.3 | 6% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 6.9%6.1–7.7 | 8% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3.5%3.1–3.8 | 4.1% | 3.8% | Lower |
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 Florida figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Key West
Is Key West a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Key West is healthier than 76% of U.S. towns: A− for health, #163 of 636 in Florida. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 79%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Key West?
CDC estimates 26.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 20.4% and 32.1%, against 31.9% across Florida and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Key West?
Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West, 2.3 miles in a straight line from Key West’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Key West have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.2–14.7%), against 15.9% across Florida.
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 Key West more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B− to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Key West.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Florida 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.