Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Albany is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns
Albany differs from Georgia on 26 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 23 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Albany. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Albany
Making ends meet is harder in Albany
1 in 3 adults worry about having enough food (35.4%), about twice the Georgia rate. Utility shut-off threats (20.6% vs 9.6%) and no reliable transportation (18.9% vs 9.5%) are higher too. 35.5% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.2% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Albany is in the bottom 4% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Albany is healthier than only 4% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Albany
1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.7%), vs 3.6% across Georgia. 1 in 10 adults have COPD (9.6%), vs 6.5% across Georgia. Diabetes is also above the state: 19.2%, vs 13.3% across Georgia. In all, Albany runs above Georgia on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Albany adults live with a disability
2 in 5 adults live with a disability (39.3%, vs 29.6% across Georgia). The biggest difference is vision loss: 10.5% vs 5.6%. 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 Georgia figure falls outside Albany’s likely range.
What’s behind Albany’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Albany is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns, #229 of 261 in Georgia. All seven of Albany’s estimates fall in the lowest 13% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 19.2% of adults, against 13.3% across Georgia and 12% 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). Albany’s median household income is $47,240; among the 4,740 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($35K–$59K), it’s healthier than 12%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Albany compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 6% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 11.1% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 81.7% (U.S. 77.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
35.5% of Albany adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.2% across Georgia.
Out of every 100 Albany adults…
Albany runs below GA on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 9. Tap one to see it as people.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Albany adults live with a disability (Georgia 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Care in and near Albany
2 hospitals and 1 community health center in Albany, 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 Albany; ≈ 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 Georgia
Share of adults, with the Georgia figure marked.
19 miles of trails across 42 parks and preserves
Keeping up with care
Share of Albany adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Georgia.
How Albany adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Albany runs above Georgia.
2 in 5 Albany 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.
Albany and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany | D− | 43% | 19.2% | 19.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Every CDC estimate for Albany
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Albany is better than Georgia on 3 and worse on 23; on the rest, the Georgia figure falls inside Albany’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Albany | GA | U.S. | vs GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 31.3%28.1–34.5 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.4%15.5–19.4 | 13.5% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.4%18.2–22.7 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 43%36.1–50.1 | 35.2% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 19.2%17.2–21.4 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 47%42.9–51 | 37.4% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36%32.2–40 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.9%25.9–32.1 | 24.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.3%10.9–13.8 | 10.1% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6%5.5–6.6 | 7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.7%6.9–8.4 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 9.6%8.7–10.6 | 6.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.7%5.3–6.1 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 25.1%21.6–28.9 | 14.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 19.3%16.9–21.9 | 13.6% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 35.6%31–40.4 | 26.5% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.1%9.1–13.6 | 14.5% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 47%41–53.2 | 38.4% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 16.8%14.7–19.1 | 13.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.7%78.6–84.7 | 78.4% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 48.9%45.4–52.3 | 59.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.4%82.6–86.3 | 86.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.9%76.5–81.3 | 77.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65%60.3–69.7 | 64.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 78.2%71.6–84.1 | 75.8% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 19.1%16.2–22.4 | 19% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 41.7%36.2–47.4 | 37.3% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.8%25.7–34.1 | 24.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 35.4%32.1–38.9 | 17.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 27.3%24.4–30.4 | 15% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 20.6%18.4–22.9 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 18.9%17.1–21 | 9.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 35.5%32.6–38.6 | 14.2% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.3%35–43.8 | 29.6% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.4%19.2–23.7 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 19.7%17.7–21.8 | 14.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.5%5.8–7.3 | 6.2% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 10.5%9.7–11.3 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.8%13.4–16.3 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8%7.4–8.7 | 4.2% | 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 Georgia figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Albany
Is Albany a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Albany is healthier than 4% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #229 of 261 in Georgia. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 12%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Albany?
CDC estimates 43% of adults have obesity, likely between 36.1% and 50.1%, against 35.2% across Georgia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Albany?
Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, 0.0 miles in a straight line from Albany’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Albany have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 16.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 14.7–19.1%), against 13.1% across Georgia.
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 Albany more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C−.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Albany.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Georgia 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.