Photo: Excel23 · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, Watertown is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Watertown differs from Florida on 26 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 25 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Watertown. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Watertown
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Watertown
1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.6%), about twice the Florida rate. 1 in 16 adults have had a stroke (6.3%), vs 3.8% across Florida. Heart disease is also above the state: 11.3%, vs 7.5% across Florida. In all, Watertown runs above Florida on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Watertown
43.2% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 57.4% across Florida. Among those 65 and older, 27.2% have lost all their teeth (Florida 12.7%). Checkups ↓
Watertown is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Watertown is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More Watertown adults live with a disability
2 in 5 adults live with a disability (42%, vs 31.3% across Florida). The biggest difference is vision loss: 10% vs 6%. Disability ↓
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 Watertown’s likely range.
What’s behind Watertown’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Watertown is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #624 of 636 in Florida. All seven of Watertown’s estimates fall in the lowest 12% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is physical distress: 19.8% of adults, against 14.3% across Florida and 13% nationally.
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). Watertown’s median household income is $41,466; among the 2,835 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($31K–$52K), it’s healthier than 10%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Watertown compares well: binge drinking, 11.9% (U.S. 15.4%).
Out of every 100 Watertown adults…
Watertown runs above FL on 11 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Watertown adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Florida.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Watertown adults live with a disability (Florida 31.3%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Care in and near Watertown
No hospital or community health center in Watertown 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 Watertown; ≈ 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.
0.2 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Watertown adults are doing
On 3 of 3 measures, Watertown 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.
34.4% of Watertown adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 15% across Florida.
Watertown and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Every CDC estimate for Watertown
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Watertown is better than Florida on 1 and worse on 25; on the rest, the Florida figure falls inside Watertown’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Watertown | FL | U.S. | vs FL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.1%27.8–34.4 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.8%17.7–22.1 | 14.3% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.7%17.7–21.9 | 15.8% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 44%38.4–49.7 | 31.9% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19.6%17.5–21.9 | 13.5% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 48%44.4–51.6 | 36.6% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 42.8%39.1–46.5 | 39% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 35.4%32.3–38.5 | 26.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.4%10.1–12.8 | 9.4% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.5%8.6–10.4 | 9.1% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 11.3%10.2–12.4 | 7.5% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.6%12.1–15.1 | 7.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.3%5.7–6.8 | 3.8% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 27.2%23.2–31.7 | 12.7% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 22.2%19.6–25.1 | 12.4% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 38.4%33.9–42.9 | 26.3% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.9%9.9–14.2 | 14.6% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.2%35.9–46.8 | 37.3% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 17.9%15.6–20.3 | 15.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.6%76.5–82.4 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 43.2%39.8–46.9 | 57.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.7%81.8–85.4 | 87% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.7%78.3–82.8 | 78.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60%55.2–64.8 | 65.7% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 68.3%60.6–75.4 | 76.1% | 76.4% | Worse |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 20.5%17.6–23.5 | 17.1% | 20.6% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 28.3%25–31.8 | 24.7% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 29.9%27.6–32.3 | 16.8% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 21.6%19.6–23.7 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 15.5%13.9–17.2 | 8.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.6%14.3–16.9 | 9.1% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 34.4%32–36.8 | 15% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 42%37.8–46.2 | 31.3% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 24.4%21.7–27 | 15.1% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.7%17.6–21.9 | 13.7% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 10.3%9.2–11.5 | 7.6% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 10%9.1–11 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.8%12.3–15.3 | 8% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.7%6.9–8.4 | 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 Watertown
Is Watertown a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Watertown is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #624 of 636 in Florida. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 10%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Watertown?
CDC estimates 44% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.4% and 49.7%, against 31.9% across Florida and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Watertown?
HCA Florida Lake City Hospital in Lake City, 6.0 miles in a straight line from Watertown’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Watertown have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 17.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 15.6–20.3%), 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 Watertown 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 Watertown.
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.