Ritz Theater · Photo: Ebyabe · CC BY 2.5Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Sanford is healthier than 67%
Sanford differs from Florida on 14 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 6 better, 8 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Sanford. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Sanford
Sanford is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Sanford is healthier than 50%. Against the 10,182 towns with similar household incomes ($50K–$84K), it’s healthier than 67%. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Sanford
1 in 5 adults worry about having enough food (20.4%), vs 16.8% across Florida. Utility shut-off threats (11.1% vs 8.6%) and housing insecurity (17.6% vs 13.9%) are higher too. 19.6% of adults receive SNAP, vs 15% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Cancer and heart disease are less common in Sanford
Sanford runs below Florida on cancer (6.2% vs 9.1%), heart disease (5.8% vs 7.5%) and arthritis (21.7% vs 26.6%). A young population is part of it: only 13% of residents are 65 or older (Florida 21%). 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 Florida figure falls outside Sanford’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A−.
What’s behind Sanford’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Sanford is healthier than 50% of U.S. towns, #359 of 636 in Florida. Obesity holds the grade up (fewer adults with obesity than 69% of U.S. towns); fair or poor health pulls it down (better than 36%).
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). Sanford’s median household income is $66,891; among the 10,182 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($50K–$84K), it’s healthier than 67%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
19.6% of Sanford adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15% across Florida.
Out of every 100 Sanford adults…
Sanford runs below FL on 6 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Sanford
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Sanford, 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 Sanford; ≈ 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 Florida
Share of adults, with the Florida figure marked.
5.7 miles of trails across 42 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Sanford adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Florida.
How Sanford adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Sanford 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.
Sanford and the towns around it
Sanford’s Health Grade ranks 2nd of 3 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Sanford adults live with a disability (Florida 31.3%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Sanford
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Sanford is better than Florida on 6 and worse on 8; on the rest, the Florida figure falls inside Sanford’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Sanford | FL | U.S. | vs FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 21.2%18.9–23.6 | 20.3% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.6%12.1–15.1 | 14.3% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.8%15.9–19.7 | 15.8% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 33.4%27.9–39 | 31.9% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.3%10.8–13.9 | 13.5% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 33%29.7–36.4 | 36.6% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 33.6%30–37.1 | 39% | 37.1% | Better |
| Arthritis | 21.7%19.3–24.2 | 26.6% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 10%8.9–11.2 | 9.4% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.2%5.6–6.8 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.8%5.3–6.4 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.5%5.9–7.2 | 7.2% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 3.3%3.1–3.6 | 3.8% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 13%10.8–15.5 | 12.7% | 12.3% | About the same |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.3%12.5–16.1 | 12.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 26.1%22.5–29.8 | 26.3% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 15.7%13–18.4 | 14.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 39.8%34.2–45.4 | 37.3% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 17.3%15.4–19.2 | 15.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.7%73.3–79.8 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 54.4%51–57.8 | 57.4% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.1%82.3–85.7 | 87% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 74.1%71.2–76.7 | 78.4% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.1%58.4–67.6 | 65.7% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.4%69.3–82.4 | 76.1% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 17%14.5–19.7 | 17.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 26.6%23.2–30.2 | 24.7% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 20.4%18.5–22.5 | 16.8% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17.6%15.7–19.6 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 11.1%9.8–12.5 | 8.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 11.1%10.1–12.2 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 19.6%17.7–21.6 | 15% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 30.7%27.1–34.2 | 31.3% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 13.4%11.8–15 | 15.1% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 15.6%14.1–17.3 | 13.7% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 5.7%5.1–6.3 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 6.4%5.9–6.9 | 6% | 5.4% | About the same |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 8.7%7.9–9.6 | 8% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.3%3.9–4.6 | 4.1% | 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 Florida figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Sanford
Is Sanford a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Sanford is healthier than 50% of U.S. towns: ≈ B− for health, #359 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 Sanford?
CDC estimates 33.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 27.9% and 39%, against 31.9% across Florida and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Sanford?
Central Florida Lake Monroe Hospital in Sanford, 1.9 miles in a straight line from Sanford’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Sanford have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 17.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 15.4–19.2%), 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 Sanford more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to A−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Sanford.
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.