Photo: Robbie Honerkamp · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Blakely is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns
Blakely differs from Georgia on 22 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 20 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Blakely. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Blakely
Dental care lags in Blakely
46.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.2% across Georgia. Among those 65 and older, 23% have lost all their teeth (Georgia 14.5%). Checkups ↓
Blakely is in the bottom 5% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Blakely is healthier than only 5% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Blakely
1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.5%), vs 3.6% across Georgia. 1 in 11 adults have COPD (9.5%), vs 6.5% across Georgia. Diabetes is also above the state: 18.9%, vs 13.3% across Georgia. In all, Blakely runs above Georgia on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Blakely, and more people treating it
47.1% of adults have high blood pressure (Georgia 37.4%), but 80.5% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.4% statewide. Checkups ↓
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 Blakely’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind Blakely’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Blakely is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns, #219 of 261 in Georgia. Smoking holds the grade up (fewer adults who smoke than 15% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 3%).
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). Blakely’s median household income is $49,821; among the 5,737 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$62K), it’s healthier than 13%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Blakely compares well: binge drinking, 11.2% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 80.5% (U.S. 76.5%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Blakely adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Georgia.
Out of every 100 Blakely adults…
Blakely runs above GA on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Blakely
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Blakely, 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 Blakely; ≈ 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.
0.8 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Blakely adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Blakely runs above Georgia.
2 in 5 Blakely 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
28.5% of Blakely adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.2% across Georgia.
Blakely and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blakely | D | 42.1% | 18.9% | 18.8% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Blakely adults live with a disability (Georgia 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Blakely
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Blakely is better than Georgia on 2 and worse on 20; on the rest, the Georgia figure falls inside Blakely’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Blakely | GA | U.S. | vs GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 29.3%25.9–33 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.2%15.2–19.4 | 13.5% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.6%17.4–22.1 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.1%33.7–51.1 | 35.2% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 18.9%16.5–21.2 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 47.1%42.7–51.7 | 37.4% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.2%33.9–42.8 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 30.9%27.4–34.2 | 24.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.1%10.7–13.7 | 10.1% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.8%6.1–7.5 | 7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 7.9%7.1–8.8 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 9.5%8.4–10.6 | 6.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.5%5–6 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23%19.2–27.2 | 14.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.8%16.3–21.6 | 13.6% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 36.5%31.2–41.9 | 26.5% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.2%9.1–13.7 | 14.5% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 45.3%38–52.8 | 38.4% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 15.9%13.2–18.8 | 13.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 81.4%78.1–84.4 | 78.4% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 46.4%42.7–50.2 | 59.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86%83.9–87.9 | 86.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 80.5%78–82.8 | 77.4% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.8%57.5–67.9 | 64.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 76.2%68.6–82.9 | 75.8% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 19.2%16.2–22.6 | 19% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 41.2%35.8–47 | 37.3% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 29.8%25.8–34.3 | 24.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 30.6%26.5–35 | 17.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.9%20.8–27.3 | 15% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 16.6%14.3–18.9 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 15.4%13.4–17.5 | 9.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 28.5%24.6–32.5 | 14.2% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 39.4%34.6–44.5 | 29.6% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 21.3%18.8–24.1 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18.4%16.2–20.8 | 14.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7.1%6.3–7.9 | 6.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 8.9%8.1–9.9 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13%11.6–14.7 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.9%6.2–7.7 | 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 Blakely
Is Blakely a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Blakely is healthier than 5% of U.S. towns: D for health, #219 of 261 in Georgia. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 13%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Blakely?
CDC estimates 42.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.7% and 51.1%, against 35.2% across Georgia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Blakely?
Miller County Hospital in Colquitt, 18.2 miles in a straight line from Blakely’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Blakely have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 15.9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 13.2–18.8%), 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 Blakely 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 Blakely.
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.