Where Willow Lake residents get care
CDC publishes only some of its health estimates for Willow Lake, not the seven a Health Grade needs; here is what we do have.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Willow Lake. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Willow Lake
Cancer, heart disease and arthritis run high in Willow Lake
1 in 8 adults have had cancer (12.3%), vs 7.6% across Illinois. 1 in 11 adults have heart disease (8.7%), vs 5.9% across Illinois. Arthritis is also above the state: 34.7%, vs 24.2% across Illinois. In all, Willow Lake runs above Illinois on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Age is part of it: 31% of residents are 65 or older (Illinois 17%), and cancer, heart disease and arthritis are more common later in life. Conditions ↓
More high blood pressure in Willow Lake, and more people treating it
41.8% of adults have high blood pressure (Illinois 33%), but 82.3% of them take medicine for it, vs 75.7% statewide. Checkups ↓
Willow Lake keeps up with checkups
It beats Illinois on four of five routine checkups and screenings, including yearly checkups (82.2% vs 77.8%) and dentist visits (69.9% vs 63.4%). 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 Illinois figure falls outside Willow Lake’s likely range.
Out of every 100 Willow Lake adults…
Willow Lake runs above IL on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Willow Lake is an older town: 31% 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 Willow Lake as about how healthy they are.
Keeping up with care
Share of Willow Lake adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Illinois.
Care in and near Willow Lake
No hospital or community health center in Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Willow Lake adults are doing
About the same as Illinois on each measure.
1 in 3 Willow Lake 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.
9.1% of Willow Lake adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 13.8% across Illinois.
Willow Lake 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 Willow Lake adults live with a disability (Illinois 27.6%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Questions about health in Willow Lake
Why doesn’t Willow Lake have a Health Grade?
Every Health Grade is built from seven of CDC’s PLACES estimates, and CDC doesn’t publish all seven for Willow Lake.
What hospital is closest to Willow Lake?
FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, 2.7 miles in a straight line from Willow Lake’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room. Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Willow Lake.
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.