Photo: David Wilson · CC BY 2.0Where Chelsea residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Chelsea, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Chelsea. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Chelsea
Making ends meet is harder in Chelsea
1 in 6 adults worry about having enough food (16.6%), vs 12% across Iowa. Housing insecurity (13.4% vs 9.4%) and utility shut-off threats (8.3% vs 6.4%) are higher too. Everyday needs ↓
1 in 8 working-age adults in Chelsea has no health insurance
13.3% of adults 18–64 have no health insurance, vs 7.3% across Iowa. Checkups ↓
Dental care lags in Chelsea
59.1% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 66.8% across Iowa. Among those 65 and older, 17.8% have lost all their teeth (Iowa 11.6%). 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 Iowa figure falls outside Chelsea’s likely range.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
12.7% of Chelsea adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10% across Iowa.
Keeping up with care
Share of Chelsea adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Iowa.
Out of every 100 Chelsea adults…
Chelsea runs above IA on 1 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Chelsea
No hospital or community health center in Chelsea 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 Chelsea; ≈ 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 Iowa
Share of adults, with the Iowa figure marked.
0 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
How Chelsea adults are doing
About the same as Iowa on each measure.
1 in 3 Chelsea 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.
Chelsea 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 Chelsea adults live with a disability (Iowa 28.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Questions about health in Chelsea
Why doesn’t Chelsea have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Chelsea.
What hospital is closest to Chelsea?
Compass Memorial Healthcare in Marengo, 18.5 miles in a straight line from Chelsea’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Chelsea.
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.