Photo: Jared Winkler · CC BY-SA 4.0Where Benton residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Benton, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP code 50835. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Benton
Cancer, heart disease and stroke run high in Benton
1 in 7 adults have had cancer (14.1%), vs 8.7% across Iowa. 1 in 10 adults have heart disease (9.7%), vs 6.6% across Iowa. Stroke is also above the state: 4.6%, vs 3.3% across Iowa. In all, Benton runs above Iowa on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Benton, and more people treating it
43.4% of adults have high blood pressure (Iowa 33.9%), but 85.2% of them take medicine for it, vs 77.8% statewide. Checkups ↓
Benton is short on dental care and mental health care
Benton’s county is a federal shortage area for dental care and mental health care, meaning too few providers for the people who live there. Getting care ↓
Fewer Benton adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Iowa. 1 in 13 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 8 adults 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 Iowa figure falls outside Benton’s likely range; Benton’s figures come from ZIP code 50835, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Benton adults…
Benton runs above IA on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Benton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Care in and near Benton
No hospital or community health center in Benton 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 Benton; ≈ 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).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
6.3% of Benton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Everyday habits, side by side with Iowa
Share of adults, with the Iowa figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Benton adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Benton does better than Iowa.
3 in 10 Benton 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.
Benton and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Benton adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Benton
Why doesn’t Benton have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Benton.
What hospital is closest to Benton?
Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, 7.9 miles in a straight line from Benton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. It has no Medicare star rating.
Where can I get low-cost care near Benton?
2 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Infinity Health - Mount Ayr Office in Mount Ayr, 6.4 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Benton.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Iowa 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.