Russell Railroad YMCA · Photo: Nyttend · Public domainWithin Kentucky, Russell is healthier than 64% of graded towns
Russell differs from Kentucky on 12 of 31 measures CDC estimates: 10 better, 2 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Russell. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Russell
Russell looks healthier next to Kentucky than next to the country
It’s healthier than 64% of the 141 Kentucky towns we grade, but 44% of towns nationwide. Much of Kentucky scores low on these measures. Health Grade ↓
Russell is the healthiest of the towns around it
Its C+ tops all three graded neighbors. The closest is Flatwoods (C−). Around town ↓
Cancer runs high in Russell
1 in 9 adults have had cancer (11%), vs 8.7% across Kentucky. Conditions ↓
Fewer Russell adults struggle to make ends meet
Worries about food, housing, utility bills and getting around all run below Kentucky. 1 in 9 adults worry about having enough food, vs 1 in 6 adults statewide. Everyday needs ↓
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 Russell’s likely range; at the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
What’s behind Russell’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Russell is healthier than 44% of U.S. towns, #51 of 141 in Kentucky. Mental distress holds the grade up (fewer adults with frequent mental distress than 80% of U.S. towns); obesity pulls it down (better than 17%).
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). Russell’s median household income is $76,182; among the 10,821 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($57K–$95K), it’s healthier than 45%, about where its income would put it.
Where Russell compares well: worried about having enough food, 10.8% (U.S. 15%); worried about keeping housing, 8.6% (U.S. 12%); threatened with a utility shut-off, 6.4% (U.S. 7.6%).
Russell and the towns around it
Russell 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russell | C+ | 40.7% | 14.1% | 15.7% | CDC place |
| Flatwoods | C− | 42.5% | 14.5% | 17.9% | CDC place |
| Bellefonte | — | — | — | — |
Bellefonte: not graded. Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Out of every 100 Russell adults…
Russell runs below KY on 1 of 12 conditions and above it on 2. 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.
9.7% of Russell adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 14.5% across Kentucky.
Care in and near Russell
No hospital or community health center in Russell 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 Russell; ≈ 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.
Keeping up with care
Share of Russell adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks Kentucky.
How Russell adults are doing
On 1 of 3 measures, Russell does better than 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.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Russell adults live with a disability (Kentucky 37.4%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Russell
Share of adults, 39 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 31 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Russell is better than Kentucky on 10 and worse on 2; on the rest, the Kentucky figure falls inside Russell’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Russell | KY | U.S. | vs KY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 19.5%17.4–21.9 | 22.4% | 19.4% | Better |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 14.2%12.6–16 | 15.2% | 13% | About the same |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 15.1%13.6–16.8 | 17.4% | 15.9% | Better |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 40.7%33.6–48.1 | 38.3% | 32.9% | About the same |
| Diabetes | 14.1%12.2–16.1 | 13.7% | 12% | About the same |
| High blood pressure | 39.2%34.6–43.8 | 38.8% | 34.4% | About the same |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 38%33.3–43 | 36.8% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 36.1%32.3–40.1 | 32.2% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 10.6%9.3–12 | 11.1% | 9.9% | About the same |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 11%10–12.1 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Coronary heart disease | 8.9%8.1–9.9 | 8.2% | 6.4% | About the same |
| COPD | 9.9%8.9–11 | 10.2% | 6.3% | About the same |
| Stroke | 4%3.6–4.3 | 4% | 3.4% | About the same |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 11.3%9.2–13.6 | 18.9% | 12.3% | Better |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 15.7%13.7–17.8 | 18.5% | 11.8% | Better |
| No exercise outside work | 25.1%21.1–29.3 | 26.9% | 24.7% | About the same |
| Binge drinking | 13.6%11–16.6 | 14.2% | 15.4% | About the same |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 36.4%30.3–43 | 39.6% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 5.2%4.1–6.6 | 5.4% | 11% | About the same |
| Checkup in the past year | 80.9%77.5–84.1 | 78.7% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 64.1%60.3–67.7 | 58.1% | 63.2% | Better |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 88.5%86.3–90.4 | 84.2% | 87.1% | Better |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 83.9%81.1–86.5 | 81.3% | 76.5% | About the same |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 70.2%65.3–74.8 | 65.8% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 77%69.6–83.3 | 72.7% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 24.8%21.2–28.6 | 26.7% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 19.8%16.9–23 | 22.5% | 23.6% | About the same |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 10.8%9.6–12.2 | 15.5% | 15% | Better |
| Worried about keeping housing | 8.6%7.6–9.8 | 11.7% | 12% | Better |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 6.4%5.6–7.4 | 8.8% | 7.6% | Better |
| Lack reliable transportation | 6.6%5.9–7.3 | 8.8% | 7.9% | Better |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 9.7%8.5–11 | 14.5% | 11.6% | Lower |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 36.3%32–40.7 | 37.4% | 30.1% | About the same |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 17%15–19 | 17.3% | 13.6% | About the same |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 14.4%12.8–16.1 | 17.3% | 13.9% | Lower |
| Hearing difficulty | 9.7%8.6–10.8 | 9% | 6.7% | About the same |
| Vision difficulty | 4.9%4.4–5.4 | 6% | 5.4% | Lower |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 7.9%7.1–8.8 | 9.4% | 7.9% | Lower |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 3.5%3.3–3.9 | 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 Russell
Is Russell a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Russell is healthier than 44% of U.S. towns: C+ for health, #51 of 141 in Kentucky. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 45%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Russell?
CDC estimates 40.7% of adults have obesity, likely between 33.6% and 48.1%, against 38.3% across Kentucky and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Russell?
King's Daughters' Medical Center in Ashland, 4.4 miles in a straight line from Russell’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; Medicare rates it 3 of 5 stars.
How many people in Russell have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 5.2% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 4.1–6.6%), 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 Russell more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from C− to B+.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Russell.
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.