Photo: Nahteecirp · Public domainKnox’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Knox trails Indiana on 21 of 32 measures CDC estimates, and leads on none.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Knox. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Knox
COPD, stroke and heart disease run high in Knox
1 in 6 adults have COPD (15.5%), about twice the Indiana rate. 1 in 18 adults have had a stroke (5.6%), vs 3.5% across Indiana. Heart disease is also above the state: 10.7%, vs 6.8% across Indiana. In all, Knox runs above Indiana on seven of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Dental care lags in Knox
45.4% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 61.2% across Indiana. Among those 65 and older, 36.6% have lost all their teeth (Indiana 15.4%). Checkups ↓
Knox is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Knox is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
More Knox adults live with a disability
44.3% of adults live with a disability, vs 31.1% across Indiana. The biggest difference is vision loss: 9.1% vs 5%. Disability ↓
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 Indiana figure falls outside Knox’s likely range.
What’s behind Knox’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Knox is near the bottom of U.S. towns, #587 of 589 in Indiana. All seven of Knox’s estimates fall in the lowest 6% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is smoking: 26.3% of adults, against 15.7% across Indiana and 11.8% nationally.
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). Knox’s median household income is $48,931; among the 5,366 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($37K–$61K), it’s healthier than 2%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Out of every 100 Knox adults…
Knox runs above IN on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Keeping up with care
Share of Knox adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Indiana.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Knox adults live with a disability (Indiana 31.1%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Care in and near Knox
1 hospital and 2 community health centers in Knox, 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 Knox; ≈ 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 Indiana
Share of adults, with the Indiana figure marked.
0.4 miles of trails across 5 parks and preserves
How Knox adults are doing
On 1 of 4 measures, Knox runs above Indiana.
1 in 3 Knox 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.
20.5% of Knox adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 8.6% across Indiana.
Knox and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox | D− | 46.7% | 18.4% | 26.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Every CDC estimate for Knox
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Knox is better than Indiana on 0 and worse on 21; on the rest, the Indiana figure falls inside Knox’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Knox | IN | U.S. | vs IN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 32.6%27.9–37.6 | 20.6% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.1%17.4–22.9 | 13.8% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.5%18.8–24.2 | 17.6% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.7%39–54.9 | 38.4% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 18.4%15.8–21 | 13% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 44.8%40.6–49.2 | 37.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 42.1%37.8–46.5 | 37.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.6%33–40.2 | 28.3% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.5%11–14.1 | 11.2% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.2%8.3–10.3 | 8.3% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 10.7%9.3–12.1 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 15.5%13–18.1 | 8.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 5.6%4.8–6.3 | 3.5% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 36.6%31.3–42 | 15.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 26.3%21.9–30.8 | 15.7% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 36.8%31–42.8 | 24.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 13.9%11.4–16.7 | 16.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 42.6%35.5–49.7 | 37.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.5%9.7–15.9 | 8.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.7%75.2–81.9 | 79.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 45.4%41.4–49.3 | 61.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 81.4%78.6–84 | 85.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 79.9%77.4–82.2 | 77.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 58.9%53.4–64.1 | 66.3% | 65.5% | Worse |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 70.3%61.4–78 | 76.4% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 29%25.1–33.2 | 25.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 33.2%27.9–38.6 | 32.8% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.4%20.6–28.7 | 23.2% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 26.1%21.3–31.3 | 14.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 16.3%13.5–19.6 | 11.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13.6%11.6–16 | 8.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.5%10.5–14.9 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 20.5%16.4–24.9 | 8.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.3%38.7–49.8 | 31.1% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 23.9%20.3–27.4 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 21.8%18.7–25.1 | 15% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11%9.5–12.3 | 7.1% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 9.1%7.8–10.6 | 5% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 14.2%12.1–16.4 | 8.1% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.2%6–8.4 | 3.7% | 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 Indiana figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Knox
Is Knox a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Knox is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health, #587 of 589 in Indiana. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 2%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Knox?
CDC estimates 46.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 39% and 54.9%, against 38.4% across Indiana and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Knox?
Northwest Health - Starke in Knox, 0.2 miles in a straight line from Knox’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 1 of 5 stars.
How many people in Knox have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 9.7–15.9%), against 8.9% across Indiana.
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 Knox more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Knox.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Indiana 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.