Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWhere Golden residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Golden, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Golden. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Golden
Cancer, COPD and heart disease run high in Golden
1 in 10 adults have had cancer (10.3%), vs 7.6% across Illinois. 1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.5%), vs 6.3% across Illinois. Heart disease is also above the state: 7.4%, vs 5.9% across Illinois. In all, Golden runs above Illinois on four of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 26% of residents are 65 or older (Illinois 17%), and cancer, COPD and heart disease are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
The nearest ER is 21 miles from Golden
The closest emergency room is Memorial Hospital in Carthage, 21.2 miles away in a straight line. Getting care ↓
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 Golden’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Golden adults…
Golden runs above IL on 5 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Golden is an older town: 26% of residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across Illinois. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis rise with age, so higher rates here say as much about who lives in Golden as about how healthy they are.
Care in and near Golden
No hospital or community health center in Golden 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 Golden; ≈ 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 Illinois
Share of adults, with the Illinois figure marked.
0.9 miles of trails across 1 park or preserve
Keeping up with care
Share of Golden adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
How Golden adults are doing
About the same as Illinois on each measure.
1 in 3 Golden 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.
12.3% of Golden adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Golden 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 Golden adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Golden
Why doesn’t Golden have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Golden.
What hospital is closest to Golden?
Memorial Hospital in Carthage, 21.2 miles in a straight line from Golden’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 Golden.
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. 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.