Photo: Nyttend · Public domainOn CDC estimates, Fulton is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns
Fulton differs from Kentucky on 20 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 18 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Fulton. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Fulton
Fulton is in the bottom 3% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Fulton is healthier than only 3% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on six of the seven. Health Grade ↓
Stroke, diabetes and COPD run high in Fulton
1 in 16 adults have had a stroke (6.4%), vs 4% across Kentucky. 1 in 5 adults have diabetes (19.8%), vs 13.7% across Kentucky. COPD is also above the state: 14.5%, vs 10.2% across Kentucky. In all, Fulton runs above Kentucky on six of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Fulton
3 in 10 adults worry about having enough food (29.3%), about twice the Kentucky rate. Utility shut-off threats (15.4% vs 8.8%) and no reliable transportation (14.7% vs 8.8%) are higher too. 33.4% of adults receive SNAP, vs 14.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
More high blood pressure in Fulton, and more people treating it
49.4% of adults have high blood pressure (Kentucky 38.8%), but 84.7% of them take medicine for it, vs 81.3% statewide. Checkups ↓
Fulton is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Fulton is healthier than 3%. Against the 1,439 towns with similar household incomes ($27K–$45K), it’s healthier than 22%. 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 Kentucky figure falls outside Fulton’s likely range.
What’s behind Fulton’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Fulton is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 19% of U.S. towns); physical distress pulls it down (better than 2%).
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). Fulton’s median household income is $36,040; among the 1,439 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($27K–$45K), it’s healthier than 22%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Fulton compares well: binge drinking, 10.2% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 84.7% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Fulton adults…
Fulton runs above KY on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
33.4% of Fulton adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.5% across Kentucky.
Keeping up with care
Share of Fulton adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kentucky.
Care in and near Fulton
1 community health center in Fulton, 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 Fulton; ≈ 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 Kentucky
Share of adults, with the Kentucky figure marked.
0.3 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Fulton adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Fulton runs above Kentucky.
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.
Fulton and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton | D− | 46.2% | 19.8% | 23% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Fulton adults live with a disability (Kentucky 37.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Fulton
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Fulton is better than Kentucky on 2 and worse on 18; on the rest, the Kentucky figure falls inside Fulton’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Fulton | KY | U.S. | vs KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 32.2%29.1–35.3 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 20%17.8–22.3 | 15.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19%17.1–21 | 17.4% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.2%37.5–54.8 | 38.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 19.8%17.3–22.4 | 13.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 49.4%44.7–54.1 | 38.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 40.4%35.5–45.4 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 40.4%36–44.6 | 32.2% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.6%11.1–14.3 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 9.3%8.4–10.3 | 8.7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 11.1%10–12.3 | 8.2% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 14.5%13–16 | 10.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.4%5.8–6.9 | 4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 29.4%24.9–34 | 18.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 23%20.3–25.8 | 18.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 35.5%30.2–40.7 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 10.2%8–12.7 | 14.2% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 44.1%36.5–51.6 | 39.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 9%7.1–11.1 | 5.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.2%78.6–85.2 | 78.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 48.2%44.1–52.2 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 83.6%80.8–86 | 84.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 84.7%82.3–86.9 | 81.3% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 65.3%59.7–70.6 | 65.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 72.2%63.1–79.6 | 72.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.8%22.7–31 | 26.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 26.8%23–30.7 | 22.5% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 29.3%26.5–32 | 15.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 19.3%17.1–21.4 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 15.4%13.5–17.2 | 8.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14.7%13.4–16.1 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 33.4%30.1–36.4 | 14.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 46.9%41.9–51.8 | 37.4% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.3%23.6–29 | 17.3% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.6%18.5–22.9 | 17.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 11.7%10.4–13 | 9% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 9.8%8.9–10.7 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 13.8%12.5–15.2 | 9.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 7.7%7.1–8.4 | 4.4% | 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 Kentucky figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Fulton
Is Fulton a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Fulton is healthier than 3% of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 22%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Fulton?
CDC estimates 46.2% of adults have obesity, likely between 37.5% and 54.8%, against 38.3% across Kentucky and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Fulton?
Baptist Memorial Hospital Union City in Union City, 11.4 miles in a straight line from Fulton’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 4 of 5 stars.
How many people in Fulton have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 9% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 7.1–11.1%), against 5.4% across Kentucky.
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 Fulton 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 Fulton.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The Kentucky 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.