Photo: Blastoids · CC BY-SA 3.0Sparta’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Sparta differs from Georgia on 26 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 3 better, 23 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Sparta. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Sparta
Stroke, COPD and diabetes run high in Sparta
1 in 12 adults have had a stroke (8.6%), more than twice the Georgia rate. 1 in 7 adults have COPD (13.8%), about twice the Georgia rate. Diabetes is also above the state: 27.4%, vs 13.3% across Georgia. In all, Sparta runs above Georgia on nine of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More Sparta adults get no exercise
45.6% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 26.5% across Georgia. Habits ↓
Dental care lags in Sparta
42.8% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 59.2% across Georgia. Among those 65 and older, 38.6% have lost all their teeth (Georgia 14.5%). 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 Sparta’s likely range.
What’s behind Sparta’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Sparta is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Sparta’s estimates fall in the lowest 10% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 27.4% of adults, against 13.3% across Georgia and 12% nationally.
Where Sparta compares well: binge drinking, 8.8% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 83.5% (U.S. 77.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 84.4% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Sparta adults…
Sparta runs above GA on 10 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Georgia
Share of adults, with the Georgia figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Keeping up with care
Share of Sparta adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Georgia.
Care in and near Sparta
1 community health center in Sparta, 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 Sparta; ≈ 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).
How Sparta adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Sparta runs above Georgia.
2 in 5 Sparta 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.
41.6% of Sparta adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.2% across Georgia.
Sparta and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparta | D− | 47.6% | 27.4% | 23.7% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Sparta adults live with a disability (Georgia 29.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Sparta
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Sparta is better than Georgia on 3 and worse on 23; on the rest, the Georgia figure falls inside Sparta’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Sparta | GA | U.S. | vs GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 39.1%34.2–44.1 | 20.3% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.3%18.7–24.2 | 13.5% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.9%17.6–22.5 | 16.9% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.6%38.8–56.5 | 35.2% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 27.4%24.2–30.7 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 57.3%52.9–61.5 | 37.4% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 43.3%38.7–47.9 | 36.8% | 37.1% | Worse |
| Arthritis | 37%33.2–40.8 | 24.6% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.6%11–14.2 | 10.1% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 6.9%6.2–7.7 | 7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 11.8%10.3–13.3 | 6.1% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.8%11.7–15.9 | 6.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 8.6%7.6–9.7 | 3.6% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 38.6%32.4–44.5 | 14.5% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23.7%20.3–27.7 | 13.6% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 45.6%39.5–52 | 26.5% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 8.8%7–10.8 | 14.5% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 47.8%39.2–55.8 | 38.4% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 19.2%15.3–23.5 | 13.1% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 83.5%80.5–86.3 | 78.4% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 42.8%38.3–46.9 | 59.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.1%83.9–88.1 | 86.8% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 84.4%82.2–86.3 | 77.4% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 62.5%56–68.3 | 64.4% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 75.7%66.5–82.8 | 75.8% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 17.6%14.8–20.8 | 19% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 41.8%35.8–47.7 | 37.3% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 33%28.2–37.5 | 24.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 41.4%35.6–47 | 17.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 29.4%25.2–33.3 | 15% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 21.8%18.8–24.6 | 9.6% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 20.1%17.2–22.9 | 9.5% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 41.6%36–46.9 | 14.2% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 47.3%41.7–53.1 | 29.6% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 30.9%26.9–34.8 | 14% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.7%17.8–23.7 | 14.4% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9%7.9–10.2 | 6.2% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 13.8%11.9–15.6 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 17.2%14.8–19.7 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 11%9.5–12.7 | 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 Sparta
Is Sparta a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Sparta is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Sparta?
CDC estimates 47.6% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.8% and 56.5%, against 35.2% across Georgia and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Sparta?
Navicent Health Baldwin in Milledgeville, 20.6 miles in a straight line from Sparta’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Sparta have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 19.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 15.3–23.5%), 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 Sparta 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 Sparta.
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.