Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0On CDC estimates, Dolton is healthier than 21% of U.S. towns
Dolton differs from Illinois on 26 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 5 better, 21 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Dolton. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Dolton
Making ends meet is harder in Dolton
1 in 5 adults were threatened with a utility shut-off (19.2%), more than twice the Illinois rate. Food insecurity (34.5% vs 15.9%) and housing insecurity (28% vs 13.2%) are higher too. 35.9% of adults receive SNAP, vs 13.8% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in Dolton
50% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 63.4% across Illinois. Among those 65 and older, 18.9% have lost all their teeth (Illinois 10.3%). Checkups ↓
Stroke, diabetes and high blood pressure run high in Dolton
1 in 19 adults have had a stroke (5.2%), vs 3.3% across Illinois. 1 in 6 adults have diabetes (17.9%), vs 11.7% across Illinois. High blood pressure is also above the state: 43.5%, vs 33% across Illinois. In all, Dolton runs above Illinois on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Health varies a lot right around Dolton
Grades next door run from Chicago (B+) to Riverdale (D−). Dolton is a C−. Around town ↓
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 Illinois figure falls outside Dolton’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D to C+.
What’s behind Dolton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Dolton is healthier than 21% of U.S. towns, #697 of 767 in Illinois. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 53% of U.S. towns); diabetes pulls it down (better than 5%).
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). Dolton’s median household income is $57,887; among the 8,294 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($43K–$72K), it’s healthier than 34%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Dolton compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 5% (U.S. 7.9%); binge drinking, 13.5% (U.S. 15.4%); checkup in the past year, 82.8% (U.S. 77.4%).
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
35.9% of Dolton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Keeping up with care
Share of Dolton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
Out of every 100 Dolton adults…
Dolton runs below IL on 2 of 12 conditions and above it on 8. Tap one to see it as people.
Dolton and the towns around it
Dolton’s Health Grade ranks 3rd of 6 graded towns around it.
Nearby towns are shaded from CDC’s estimates for their ZIP codes, or CDC’s own figure for cities and villages.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolton | C− | 42.3% | 17.9% | 15.4% | CDC place |
| South Holland | C+ | 38% | 16.3% | 12.5% | CDC place |
| Calumet City | C− | 41.2% | 17.2% | 15.6% | CDC place |
| Harvey | D | 41.8% | 18.9% | 18.1% | CDC place |
| Chicago | B+ | 32.6% | 12% | 11.9% | CDC place |
| Riverdale | D− | 46.2% | 20% | 19.7% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Care in and near Dolton
1 community health center in Dolton, 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 Dolton; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Everyday habits, side by side with Illinois
Share of adults, with the Illinois figure marked.
0.1 miles of trails across 11 parks and preserves
How Dolton adults are doing
On 3 of 4 measures, Dolton runs above Illinois.
2 in 5 Dolton 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Dolton adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Dolton
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Dolton is better than Illinois on 5 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Illinois figure falls inside Dolton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Dolton | IL | U.S. | vs IL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.7%24.2–29.2 | 18.6% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14%12.7–15.4 | 12.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 18%16.2–19.6 | 15.6% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 42.3%38.4–46.1 | 34% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 17.9%16.1–19.6 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 43.5%40.7–46.2 | 33% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34%31.3–36.5 | 35.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 26.6%24.4–28.8 | 24.2% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.8%11.5–14.1 | 9.9% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 5%4.6–5.5 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.3%5.7–6.9 | 5.9% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 7.8%7–8.7 | 6.3% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.2%4.8–5.6 | 3.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 18.9%15.9–22.1 | 10.3% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.4%13.5–17.4 | 12.1% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 30.2%27–33.4 | 23% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.5%11.8–15.2 | 17.8% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 46.9%43–50.8 | 35.4% | 36% | Worse |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 10.3%8.7–12 | 9.9% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.8%80.6–84.6 | 77.8% | 77.4% | Better |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 50%46.7–53.2 | 63.4% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 88.6%87.2–89.9 | 87.4% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 78.6%76.2–80.6 | 75.7% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58%53.9–61.9 | 60.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 77.7%72.6–82.3 | 73.5% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 17.6%15.5–19.7 | 19.8% | 20.6% | Better |
| Feel lonely | 38.8%35.6–42.1 | 33.5% | 32.5% | Worse |
| Lack social and emotional support | 34.3%31.2–37.5 | 25.4% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 34.5%31.4–37.7 | 15.9% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 28%25.4–30.9 | 13.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 19.2%17.1–21.4 | 7.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 16.2%14.6–18 | 8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 35.9%32.3–39.8 | 13.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 33.6%30.6–36.5 | 27.6% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 19.1%17.3–20.9 | 12.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 15.3%13.7–17 | 12.6% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 4.7%4.1–5.2 | 6.2% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 8.1%7.4–8.8 | 4.8% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 11.5%10.3–12.7 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 6.6%6–7.2 | 3.5% | 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 Illinois figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Dolton
Is Dolton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Dolton is healthier than 21% of U.S. towns: C− for health, #697 of 767 in Illinois. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 34%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Dolton?
CDC estimates 42.3% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.4% and 46.1%, against 34% across Illinois and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Dolton?
Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, 3.6 miles in a straight line from Dolton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Dolton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 10.3% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 8.7–12%), against 9.9% across Illinois.
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 Dolton 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 Dolton.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Illinois 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.