Photo: Bedford at en.wikipedia · Public domainMorgantown’s CDC health estimates rank near the bottom of U.S. towns
Morgantown differs from Kentucky on 20 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 1 better, 19 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Morgantown. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Morgantown
Morgantown is in the bottom 1% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Morgantown is healthier than only 1% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
1 in 8 working-age adults in Morgantown has no health insurance
13% of adults 18–64 have no health insurance, vs 5.4% across Kentucky. Checkups ↓
Dental care lags in Morgantown
42.9% of adults saw a dentist this year, vs 58.1% across Kentucky. Among those 65 and older, 32.9% have lost all their teeth (Kentucky 18.9%). Checkups ↓
More Morgantown adults live with a disability
1 in 2 adults live with a disability (49.6%, vs 37.4% across Kentucky). The biggest difference is vision loss: 10.8% vs 6%. 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 Kentucky figure falls outside Morgantown’s likely range.
What’s behind Morgantown’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Morgantown is near the bottom of U.S. towns. All seven of Morgantown’s estimates fall in the lowest 5% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is physical distress: 22% of adults, against 15.2% across Kentucky and 13% 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). Morgantown’s median household income is $37,604; among the 1,761 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($28K–$47K), it’s healthier than 6%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Morgantown compares well: binge drinking, 11.2% (U.S. 15.4%).
Keeping up with care
Share of Morgantown adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kentucky.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Morgantown adults live with a disability (Kentucky 37.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Out of every 100 Morgantown adults…
Morgantown runs above KY on 7 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Care in and near Morgantown
No hospital or community health center in Morgantown 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 Morgantown; ≈ 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.
Walk with neighbors
The easiest exercise habit to keep is one with company.
How Morgantown adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Morgantown 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.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
31.8% of Morgantown adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.5% across Kentucky.
Morgantown and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgantown | D− | 46.4% | 17.9% | 26.3% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Every CDC estimate for Morgantown
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Morgantown is better than Kentucky on 1 and worse on 19; on the rest, the Kentucky figure falls inside Morgantown’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Morgantown | KY | U.S. | vs KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 34.9%31.8–38.2 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 22%19.7–24.5 | 15.2% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 21.3%19.2–23.6 | 17.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 46.4%38.3–54.9 | 38.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 17.9%15.6–20.4 | 13.7% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 43.4%38.9–47.9 | 38.8% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38.1%33.4–43 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 38.3%34.5–42.2 | 32.2% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 12.4%10.9–14.1 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.9%8.1–9.9 | 8.7% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 11.2%10.1–12.4 | 8.2% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 16%14.5–17.7 | 10.2% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.1%5.5–6.7 | 4% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 32.9%28.1–38 | 18.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 26.3%23.4–29.4 | 18.5% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 39.7%34.6–45.1 | 26.9% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 11.2%8.9–13.9 | 14.2% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 43.3%36.2–50.9 | 39.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 13%10.2–15.9 | 5.4% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 78.1%74.3–81.7 | 78.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 42.9%39.1–47 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 80%76.9–82.9 | 84.2% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.1%79.4–84.5 | 81.3% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 60.5%54.9–65.9 | 65.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 68.4%59.1–77 | 72.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 29.7%25.7–34.2 | 26.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 24.9%21.4–28.7 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 27.2%24.7–30.1 | 15.5% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 17.7%15.7–19.9 | 11.7% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 13.8%12.2–15.6 | 8.8% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 14%12.8–15.4 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 31.8%28.8–35 | 14.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 49.6%44.9–54.4 | 37.4% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.4%23.8–29 | 17.3% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 24.7%22.3–27.3 | 17.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 13%11.7–14.6 | 9% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 10.8%9.8–11.8 | 6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15.7%14.3–17.3 | 9.4% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.2%7.5–9 | 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 Morgantown
Is Morgantown a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Morgantown is near the bottom of U.S. towns: D− for health. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 6%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Morgantown?
CDC estimates 46.4% of adults have obesity, likely between 38.3% and 54.9%, against 38.3% across Kentucky and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Morgantown?
Ohio County Hospital in Hartford, 19.2 miles in a straight line from Morgantown’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 2 of 5 stars.
How many people in Morgantown have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 13% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 10.2–15.9%), 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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown.
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.