Photo: Michael Rivera · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Santa Claus residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Santa Claus, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Santa Claus. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Santa Claus
Dental care lags in Santa Claus
41.5% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.2% across Georgia. Among those 65 and older, 32.2% have lost all their teeth (Georgia 14.5%). Checkups ↓
COPD, heart disease and stroke run high in Santa Claus
1 in 9 adults have COPD (11.5%), vs 6.5% across Georgia. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (9%), vs 6.1% across Georgia. Stroke is also above the state: 5%, vs 3.6% across Georgia. In all, Santa Claus runs above Georgia on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Santa Claus
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (26.7%), vs 17.7% across Georgia. No reliable transportation (14.2% vs 9.5%) and utility shut-off threats (13.1% vs 9.6%) are higher too. 25.7% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.2% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Santa Claus’ likely range.
Keeping up with care
Share of Santa Claus adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Georgia.
Out of every 100 Santa Claus adults…
Santa Claus runs above GA on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
25.7% of Santa Claus adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.2% across Georgia.
Care in and near Santa Claus
No hospital or community health center in Santa Claus 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 Santa Claus; ≈ 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.
0.4 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Santa Claus adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Santa Claus runs above Georgia.
2 in 5 Santa Claus 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.
Santa Claus and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | D | 42.1% | 16.7% | 18.4% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Santa Claus adults live with a disability (Georgia 29.6%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Santa Claus
Why doesn’t Santa Claus have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Santa Claus.
What hospital is closest to Santa Claus?
Memorial Health Meadows Hospital in Vidalia, 7.0 miles in a straight line from Santa Claus’ center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Santa Claus?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is East Georgia Healthcare Center in Vidalia, 2.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Santa Claus.
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. 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.