Photo: W.marsh · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Independence is healthier than 81% of U.S. towns
Independence differs from Kentucky on 19 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 17 better, 2 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Independence. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Independence
Binge drinking is the habit Independence doesn’t win on
17.9% of adults binge drink, vs 14.2% across Kentucky, even though fewer of them smoke and more of them exercise. Habits ↓
Stroke and COPD are less common in Independence
Independence runs below Kentucky on six chronic conditions, most of all stroke (2.5% vs 4%), COPD (6.7% vs 10.2%) and heart disease (5.4% vs 8.2%). A young population is part of it: only 11% of residents are 65 or older (Kentucky 17%). Conditions ↓
Independence is the healthiest of the towns around it
Its A− tops all three graded neighbors. The closest is Erlanger (B). Around town ↓
Independence is an active town
Only 19.6% of adults get no exercise outside work, vs 26.9% across Kentucky. Habits ↓
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 Independence’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B− to A.
What’s behind Independence’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 81% of U.S. towns, #17 of 141 in Kentucky. All seven estimates beat the typical U.S. town. The strongest is physical distress (fewer adults with frequent physical distress than 88% of towns); the weakest is smoking, still better than 53%.
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). Independence’s median household income is $102,361; among the 8,224 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($77K–$128K), it’s healthier than 74%, about where its income would put it.
Everyday habits, side by side with Kentucky
Share of adults, with the Kentucky figure marked.
5.8 miles of trails across 8 parks and preserves
Out of every 100 Independence adults…
Independence runs below KY on 8 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Only 11% of Independence residents are 65 or older, vs 17% across Kentucky. Heart disease, COPD and arthritis run low partly because the town is young.
Independence and the towns around it
Independence has the best Health Grade of the 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | A− | 33.4% | 9.6% | 14.5% | CDC place |
| Erlanger | B | 34.8% | 11.9% | 16.7% | CDC place |
| Ryland Heights | — | — | — | — | |
| Covington | C− | 38.4% | 13.3% | 20.6% | CDC place |
| Elsmere | C | 37.1% | 12% | 19.8% | CDC place |
Ryland Heights: fewer than 1,000 residents. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Care in and near Independence
No hospital or community health center in Independence 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 Independence; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Keeping up with care
Share of Independence adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kentucky.
How Independence adults are doing
About the same as Kentucky on each measure.
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.
8% of Independence adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.5% across Kentucky.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Independence adults live with a disability (Kentucky 37.4%). Thinking or memory is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Independence
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Independence is better than Kentucky on 17 and worse on 2; on the rest, the Kentucky figure falls inside Independence’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Independence | KY | U.S. | vs KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 14.7%13.1–16.6 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 11.3%10.1–12.8 | 15.2% | 13% | Better |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.6%14.1–17.4 | 17.4% | 15.9% | About the same |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 33.4%27.4–40.1 | 38.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 9.6%8.3–11.1 | 13.7% | 12% | Better |
| High blood pressure | 31.9%28.3–35.6 | 38.8% | 34.4% | Better |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 34.1%30.2–38.2 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 24.4%21.4–27.8 | 32.2% | 25.3% | Better |
| Asthma | 10.4%9.2–11.8 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 7.5%6.8–8.3 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Better |
| Coronary heart disease | 5.4%4.9–6 | 8.2% | 6.4% | Better |
| COPD | 6.7%6–7.4 | 10.2% | 6.3% | Better |
| Stroke | 2.5%2.3–2.7 | 4% | 3.4% | Better |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 10.1%8.3–12.4 | 18.9% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 14.5%12.8–16.6 | 18.5% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 19.6%16.5–23.2 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Better |
| Binge drinking | 17.9%14.7–21.7 | 14.2% | 15.4% | Worse |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.8%31–43.1 | 39.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 4.8%4–5.6 | 5.4% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 76.9%73.2–80.6 | 78.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 68.1%64.8–71.5 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 85.7%83.3–87.9 | 84.2% | 87.1% | About the same |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 77.1%73.7–80.2 | 81.3% | 76.5% | Worse |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 67.1%62.3–71.9 | 65.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 77.4%70.1–83.8 | 72.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 26.5%22.9–30.6 | 26.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 21.4%18.5–24.9 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 10.2%9.1–11.6 | 15.5% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 9.4%8.2–10.7 | 11.7% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 6.9%6–7.9 | 8.8% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 6.5%5.9–7.2 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 8%7–9.1 | 14.5% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 27.8%24.3–31.7 | 37.4% | 30.1% | Lower |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 10.8%9.6–12.3 | 17.3% | 13.6% | Lower |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 13.5%12.1–15.1 | 17.3% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 6.1%5.4–6.9 | 9% | 6.7% | Lower |
| Vision difficulty | 3.7%3.4–4.1 | 6% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 6.3%5.7–7 | 9.4% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 2.6%2.4–2.8 | 4.4% | 3.8% | Lower |
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 Independence
Is Independence a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Independence is healthier than 81% of U.S. towns: A− for health, #17 of 141 in Kentucky. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 74%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Independence?
CDC estimates 33.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 27.4% and 40.1%, against 38.3% across Kentucky and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Independence?
St. Elizabeth Edgewood in Edgewood, 3.6 miles in a straight line from Independence’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 5 of 5 stars.
How many people in Independence have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 4.8% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4–5.6%), 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 Independence more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from B− to A.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Independence.
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.