Photo: w_lemay · CC BY-SA 2.0Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes, Springfield is healthier than 57%
Springfield differs from Illinois on 12 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 11 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Springfield. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Springfield
COPD, stroke and arthritis run high in Springfield
1 in 12 adults have COPD (8.1%), vs 6.3% across Illinois. 1 in 26 adults have had a stroke (3.9%), vs 3.3% across Illinois. Arthritis is also above the state: 28.5%, vs 24.2% across Illinois. In all, Springfield runs above Illinois on five of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Smoking is more common in Springfield
1 in 7 adults smoke cigarettes (14.7%), vs 12.1% across Illinois. Habits ↓
Springfield is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Springfield is healthier than 42%. Against the 10,098 towns with similar household incomes ($50K–$83K), it’s healthier than 57%. Health Grade ↓
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 Springfield’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
What’s behind Springfield’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Springfield is healthier than 42% of U.S. towns, #548 of 767 in Illinois. No exercise holds the grade up (fewer adults who get no exercise than 59% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 15%).
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). Springfield’s median household income is $66,064; among the 10,098 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($50K–$83K), it’s healthier than 57%, more than its income alone would suggest.
Where Springfield compares well: no health insurance (ages 18–64), 8.2% (U.S. 11%).
At 112,989 residents, Springfield is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Out of every 100 Springfield adults…
Springfield runs above IL on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Everyday habits, side by side with Illinois
Share of adults, with the Illinois figure marked.
47 miles of trails across 54 parks and preserves
Care in and near Springfield
2 hospitals and 2 community health centers in Springfield, 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 Springfield; ≈ 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 Springfield adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
How Springfield adults are doing
About the same as Illinois on each measure.
1 in 3 Springfield 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.
18.7% of Springfield adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Springfield and the towns around it
Springfield’s Health Grade ranks 11th of 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | C+ | 41.1% | 12.9% | 14.7% | CDC place |
| Capital Township | B− | 40.2% | 12.6% | 14.2% | ZIP codes |
| Springfield Township | C+ | 40.9% | 12.8% | 15.4% | ZIP codes |
| Curran Township | A− | 36.1% | 9.9% | 10.8% | ZIP codes |
| Ball Township | B+ | 37.6% | 10.4% | 12.5% | ZIP codes |
| Gardner Township | A− | 37% | 11% | 11.7% | ZIP codes |
| Rochester Township | A | 35.8% | 9.7% | 10.2% | ZIP codes |
| Clear Lake Township | B+ | 38.3% | 11% | 13.4% | ZIP codes |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Springfield adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Springfield
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Springfield is better than Illinois on 1 and worse on 11; on the rest, the Illinois figure falls inside Springfield’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Springfield | IL | U.S. | vs IL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 20.5%18.2–23 | 18.6% | 19.4% | About the same |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 13.9%12.3–15.5 | 12.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 17.3%15.4–19.3 | 15.6% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 41.1%33.8–48.9 | 34% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 12.9%11.3–14.7 | 11.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 38%34–42.3 | 33% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 36%31.9–40.4 | 35.4% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 28.5%25.3–31.9 | 24.2% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11%9.7–12.4 | 9.9% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.7%7.9–9.6 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.8%6.2–7.6 | 5.9% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 8.1%7.3–8.9 | 6.3% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 3.9%3.6–4.2 | 3.3% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 13.7%11.3–16.5 | 10.3% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.7%12.9–16.7 | 12.1% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 24.3%20.5–28.4 | 23% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 16.7%13.9–20 | 17.8% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.6%30.3–43.7 | 35.4% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 8.2%7.1–9.4 | 9.9% | 11% | Better |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.7%76.3–82.9 | 77.8% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 60.5%56.8–64.3 | 63.4% | 63.2% | About the same |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 86.7%85.1–88.3 | 87.4% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 77.3%74.4–80 | 75.7% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.7%59.5–69.9 | 60.2% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 71.8%63.3–79.6 | 73.5% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 21.2%18.1–24.8 | 19.8% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.9%28.9–39.1 | 33.5% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.9%21.5–28.6 | 25.4% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 17.7%15.7–19.9 | 15.9% | 15% | About the same |
| Worried about keeping housing | 14.1%12.4–15.8 | 13.2% | 12% | About the same |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 9.9%8.8–11.2 | 7.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 9.4%8.5–10.5 | 8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 18.7%16.8–20.8 | 13.8% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 31.1%27.2–35.3 | 27.6% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 15.1%13.4–17 | 12.8% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 14.1%12.6–15.7 | 12.6% | 13.9% | About the same |
| Hearing difficulty | 7%6.2–7.9 | 6.2% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 5.7%5.3–6.2 | 4.8% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 9.3%8.4–10.2 | 7.6% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 4.4%4.1–4.8 | 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 Springfield
Is Springfield a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Springfield is healthier than 42% of U.S. towns: C+ for health, #548 of 767 in Illinois. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Springfield?
CDC estimates 41.1% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.8% and 48.9%, against 34% across Illinois and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Springfield?
St. Johns Hospital in Springfield, 1.1 miles in a straight line from Springfield’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Springfield have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 8.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.1–9.4%), 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 Springfield more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Springfield.
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.