Photo: Scott Palmer · CC BY-SA 4.0On CDC estimates, South Bend as a whole is healthier than 13% of U.S. towns
South Bend differs from Indiana on 17 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 16 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for South Bend. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in South Bend
Making ends meet is harder in South Bend
1 in 4 adults worry about having enough food (24.5%), vs 14.7% across Indiana. Utility shut-off threats (14.6% vs 8.4%) and housing insecurity (18.4% vs 11.2%) are higher too. 17.7% of adults receive SNAP, vs 8.6% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
Dental care lags in South Bend
52.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 61.2% across Indiana. Among those 65 and older, 20% have lost all their teeth (Indiana 15.4%). Checkups ↓
More South Bend adults lack emotional support
3 in 10 adults lack social or emotional support (27.6%), vs 23.2% across Indiana. Frequent mental distress is above the state too: 20.3%, vs 17.6% across Indiana. Mind & connection ↓
Health varies a lot right around South Bend
Grades next door run from Notre Dame (A−) to Portage Township (D). South Bend is a D. Around town ↓
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 South Bend’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
What’s behind South Bend’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, South Bend is healthier than 13% of U.S. towns, #501 of 589 in Indiana. Physical distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 33% of U.S. towns); mental distress pulls it down (better than 8%).
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). South Bend’s median household income is $55,786; among the 7,673 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($42K–$70K), it’s healthier than 23%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where South Bend compares well: cancer, other than skin cancer, 7% (U.S. 7.9%).
At 103,201 residents, South Bend is graded like any town, from one citywide estimate; its rank among the 395 U.S. cities over 100,000 is the fairer comparison.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
17.7% of South Bend adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 8.6% across Indiana.
Keeping up with care
Share of South Bend adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Indiana.
How South Bend adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, South Bend runs above Indiana.
4 in 10 South Bend 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.
South Bend and the towns around it
South Bend’s Health Grade ranks 5th of 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Bend | D | 39.7% | 15.2% | 18.2% | CDC place |
| Ardmore | — | — | — | — | |
| Gilmer Park | — | — | — | — | |
| Mishawaka | C | 35.6% | 12.6% | 16.5% | CDC place |
| Notre Dame | A− | 24.7% | 2.4% | 8.2% | CDC place |
| Portage Township | D | 39.2% | 15.2% | 18.1% | ZIP codes |
| Penn Township | C+ | 35.5% | 12.6% | 16.3% | ZIP codes |
Ardmore and Gilmer Park: no CDC estimate of its own. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 South Bend adults…
South Bend runs below IN on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 4. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near South Bend
1 hospital and 3 community health centers in South Bend, 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 South Bend; ≈ 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.
28 miles of trails across 48 parks and preserves
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of South Bend adults live with a disability (Indiana 31.1%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for South Bend
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, South Bend is better than Indiana on 1 and worse on 16; on the rest, the Indiana figure falls inside South Bend’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | South Bend | IN | U.S. | vs IN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 26.6%24.2–29.2 | 20.6% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.2%13.7–16.9 | 13.8% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 20.3%18.4–22.6 | 17.6% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 39.7%35–44.9 | 38.4% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 15.2%13.6–17 | 13% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 39.6%36.5–43.1 | 37.8% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 37.1%33.9–40.7 | 37.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 27.5%25.1–30.3 | 28.3% | 25.3% | About the same |
| Asthma | 11.9%10.7–13.4 | 11.2% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7%6.4–7.7 | 8.3% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 6.8%6.2–7.5 | 6.8% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 9%8.2–9.9 | 8.1% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 4%3.8–4.3 | 3.5% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 20%16.9–23.5 | 15.4% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 18.2%16.3–20.4 | 15.7% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 31.6%28.3–35.4 | 24.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 15.3%12.9–18 | 16.6% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41%36.4–45.8 | 37.1% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 12.6%11.2–14.2 | 8.9% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 79.8%76.9–82.7 | 79.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 52.9%49.6–56.2 | 61.2% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.5%81.7–85.3 | 85.8% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 76.5%74–79 | 77.4% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 63.6%59.3–67.9 | 66.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.3%65.5–78.7 | 76.4% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 27.4%24.3–30.9 | 25.1% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 36.3%32.2–40.4 | 32.8% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 27.6%24.3–30.9 | 23.2% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 24.5%22.1–27.1 | 14.7% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 18.4%16.4–20.5 | 11.2% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 14.6%13–16.3 | 8.4% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 12.6%11.3–14 | 7.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 17.7%15.8–19.7 | 8.6% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.6%33.4–40.4 | 31.1% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 16.8%15.2–18.6 | 14.2% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 18.5%16.8–20.4 | 15% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 7%6.3–7.8 | 7.1% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 7.3%6.8–7.9 | 5% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 10.7%9.7–11.8 | 8.1% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 5.3%4.9–5.7 | 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 South Bend
Is South Bend a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, South Bend is healthier than 13% of U.S. towns: D for health, #501 of 589 in Indiana. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 23%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in South Bend?
CDC estimates 39.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 35% and 44.9%, against 38.4% across Indiana and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to South Bend?
Memorial Hospital of South Bend in South Bend, 1.1 miles in a straight line from South Bend’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in South Bend have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 12.6% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 11.2–14.2%), 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 South Bend more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to C.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in South Bend.
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.