Larimer Memorial Library · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY-SA 3.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Palatka is healthier than 45%
Palatka differs from Florida on 24 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Palatka. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Palatka
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Palatka
1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.7%), about twice the Florida rate. 1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.6%), vs 3.8% across Florida. Diabetes is also above the state: 20.2%, vs 13.5% across Florida. In all, Palatka runs above Florida on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Palatka
41.7% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.4% across Florida. Among those 65 and older, 29.4% have lost all their teeth (Florida 12.7%). Checkups ↓
Smoking is more common in Palatka
1 in 4 adults smoke cigarettes (23.3%), about twice the Florida rate. Habits ↓
Palatka is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Palatka is healthier than 4%. Against the 796 towns with similar household incomes ($24K–$40K), it’s healthier than 45%. 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 Florida figure falls outside Palatka’s likely range.
What’s behind Palatka’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Palatka is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns, #615 of 636 in Florida. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 39% of U.S. towns); physical distress pulls it down (near the bottom of U.S. towns).
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). Palatka’s median household income is $32,021; among the 796 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($24K–$40K), it’s healthier than 45%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Palatka compares well: binge drinking, 11.5% (U.S. 15.4%).
Out of every 100 Palatka adults…
Palatka runs below FL on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Palatka adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Florida.
Everyday habits, side by side with Florida
Share of adults, with the Florida figure marked.
8.8 miles of trails across 8 parks and preserves
Care in and near Palatka
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Palatka, 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 Palatka; ≈ 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 Palatka adults are doing
On 2 of 3 measures, Palatka runs above Florida.
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.
36.2% of Palatka adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15% across Florida.
Palatka and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palatka | D− | 37.6% | 20.2% | 23.3% | CDC place |
| East Palatka | B− | 30.3% | 12.4% | 16.9% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Palatka adults live with a disability (Florida 31.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Palatka
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Palatka is better than Florida on 2 and worse on 22; on the rest, the Florida figure falls inside Palatka’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Palatka | FL | U.S. | vs FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 34.3%30.9–37.8 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.4%18.2–22.6 | 14.3% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.5%19.3–23.8 | 15.8% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 37.6%31.3–44.3 | 31.9% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 20.2%18–22.5 | 13.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 46.2%42.3–50.2 | 36.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 39.6%35.6–43.6 | 39% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 33.1%29.9–36.4 | 26.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.2%10.9–13.6 | 9.4% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.2%7.5–9 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 10.5%9.6–11.5 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.7%12.3–15 | 7.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.6%6.1–7.1 | 3.8% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 29.4%25.6–33.4 | 12.7% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.3%20.6–26.1 | 12.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 38.4%33.7–43.3 | 26.3% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.5%9.4–13.8 | 14.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.3%39.5–51.1 | 37.3% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 19.4%16.7–22 | 15.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.6%76.4–82.5 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 41.7%38.4–45.1 | 57.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 82.6%80.6–84.4 | 87% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.1%77.7–82.3 | 78.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62%57.1–66.6 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.4%67.2–80.6 | 76.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 19.1%16.2–22.1 | 17.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 30.2%26.6–34 | 24.7% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 31.6%29.2–34.1 | 16.8% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.3%21–25.5 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 16.8%15–18.6 | 8.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 16.3%15–17.7 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 36.2%33.7–38.9 | 15% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 43.7%39.3–48.1 | 31.3% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 25.3%22.8–28 | 15.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21%18.8–23.2 | 13.7% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.5%8.6–10.5 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 11.9%10.9–13 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.5%13.9–17 | 8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.8%8–9.6 | 4.1% | 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 Florida figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Palatka
Is Palatka a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Palatka is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #615 of 636 in Florida. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Palatka?
CDC estimates 37.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 31.3% and 44.3%, against 31.9% across Florida and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Palatka?
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital in Palatka, 1.4 miles in a straight line from Palatka’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Palatka have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 19.4% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 16.7–22%), 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 Palatka 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 Palatka.
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.