Where Nelson Township residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Nelson Township, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, from ZIP codes 61021, 61042, 61071. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Nelson Township
COPD, heart disease and cancer run high in Nelson Township
1 in 11 adults have COPD (8.7%), vs 6.3% across Illinois. 1 in 13 adults have heart disease (7.7%), vs 5.9% across Illinois. Cancer is also above the state: 9.4%, vs 7.6% across Illinois. In all, Nelson Township runs above Illinois on six of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 27% of residents are 65 or older (Illinois 17%), and COPD, heart disease and cancer are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Nelson Township
1 in 6 adults smoke cigarettes (15.8%), vs 12.1% across Illinois. Habits ↓
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 Nelson Township’s likely range; Nelson Township’s figures come from ZIP codes 61021, 61042, 61071, which may reach past town lines.
Out of every 100 Nelson Township adults…
Nelson Township runs above IL on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Nelson Township is an older town: 27% 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 Nelson Township as about how healthy they are.
Everyday habits, side by side with Illinois
Share of adults, with the Illinois figure marked.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
Care in and near Nelson Township
No hospital or community health center in Nelson Township 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 Nelson Township; ≈ 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).
Keeping up with care
Share of Nelson Township adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
How Nelson Township adults are doing
About the same as Illinois on each measure.
1 in 3 Nelson Township 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.
15% of Nelson Township adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Nelson Township and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmyra Township | C+ | 39.5% | 13.1% | 15.8% | ZIP codes |
| South Dixon Township | — | — | — | — | |
| Coloma Township | C | 38% | 14.3% | 16.6% | ZIP codes |
| Harmon Township | — | — | — | — |
South Dixon Township and Harmon Township: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Nelson Township adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Nelson Township
Why doesn’t Nelson Township have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Nelson Township.
What hospital is closest to Nelson Township?
OSF Saint Katharine Medical Center in Dixon, 6.2 miles in a straight line from Nelson Township’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
Where can I get low-cost care near Nelson Township?
1 community health center sites are within 10 miles; the nearest is Whiteside CHD - Rock Falls in Rock Falls, 6.9 miles away. They charge on a sliding scale by income.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Nelson Township.
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.